Hockley County Death Records

Death records for Hockley County are filed with the County Clerk in Levelland and maintained at the state level by the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit. This page explains how to request certified death certificates, who is eligible during the 25-year restricted period, current fees, applicable statutes, and where to search for older genealogical records in West Texas.

Hockley County Clerk Office

The Hockley County Clerk is in Suite 213 at 802 Houston Street in Levelland. Hockley County is a West Texas county on the South Plains, west of Lubbock. The clerk office handles death certificate filings for events in the county and can issue certified copies to eligible requestors. Staff are available during regular business hours.

Walk-in requests can typically be processed the same day. For mail requests, include a completed application, a photocopy of your photo ID, payment by check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not mail cash. Processing by mail takes one to two weeks.

If the county does not have the record you need, the clerk will refer you to DSHS in Austin, which maintains the master index of all Texas death records.

Getting a Certified Death Certificate

A certified death certificate from Hockley County costs $21 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time. You can make a request in person, by mail, through DSHS, or online through Texas.gov or VitalChek.

The request form asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, county of death, and your name and address. If the record falls within the 25-year restricted period, also document your relationship to the deceased and attach a copy of your valid ID. Get the form from the county clerk or download it from the DSHS website.

Mail requests go to: Hockley County Clerk, 802 Houston Street, Suite 213, Levelland, TX 79336. Make checks payable to Hockley County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.

The Texas.gov vital records portal lets you order certified death certificates online from anywhere in Texas.

Online orders are processed statewide and arrive within 7 to 14 business days.

Who Can Request Death Records

Texas restricts death records that are less than 25 years old. Only eligible individuals can receive a certified copy during that window. Eligible requestors include the spouse or former spouse of the deceased, a parent, child, sibling, or a legal representative with written authorization from the family or estate. Funeral directors acting on behalf of the family also qualify.

After 25 years, the record becomes public. Anyone can request a copy. You still pay the fee and complete the form, but eligibility is not checked.

Informational copies are available to a broader group during the restricted period. These are not valid for legal purposes. If you need the certificate for estate proceedings, insurance, or government benefits, get the certified version and confirm you qualify as an eligible requestor first.

See the DSHS acceptable ID page for approved forms of identification. A current Texas driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, or military ID all qualify. Expired IDs are not accepted.

Fees and Payment

The county clerk fee is $21 for the first certified copy and $4 per additional copy ordered at the same time. State law sets these fees, and they are the same in every Texas county.

DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy. If DSHS searches and cannot find the record, a $25 non-refundable search fee is charged. Be aware of this cost if you are searching for an older or hard-to-find record.

At the county clerk, payment can be by cash, check, or money order. Call (806) 894-3185 before visiting to confirm whether credit cards are accepted. Mail requests need check or money order only. Online orders through Texas.gov and VitalChek accept credit and debit cards with a convenience fee added.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Texas death records are governed by Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. The law requires that deaths be registered with the local registrar within a set number of days. The Hockley County Clerk is the local registrar and forwards filings to DSHS.

The attending physician or medical examiner certifies cause of death. The funeral director completes and files the certificate through TxEVER, the state's electronic vital events system. Most facilities in Texas now use TxEVER, which reduces delays and makes records available in the state database sooner.

Deaths from violence or unexplained causes fall under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. A justice of the peace or medical examiner handles investigation and certification. Records may be delayed or have additional restrictions if criminal proceedings are active.

The Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 181 provides regulatory detail on vital statistics, including the content required on death certificates and the responsibilities of local registrars.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Texas started statewide death registration in 1903. Before that year, records are not in the state system. Hockley County on the South Plains was organized in the early 1900s as settlement in the region grew. Some early deaths may be documented only in local church records or cemetery lists.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is the primary state archive for historical vital records. They hold microfilmed death registers and genealogical indexes. Some records are searchable online through their catalog.

FamilySearch has free Texas death records from 1903 forward. Their digitized Texas Death Certificates collection is a strong starting point for research in Hockley County and the surrounding South Plains area. No subscription is needed.

Ancestry.com carries the Texas Death Certificates database from 1903 to 1982. Full images require a paid subscription. Ancestry also links death records to census and family tree data, which can help broaden a genealogical search.

Hockley County cemeteries often have transcriptions available through Find A Grave. The Levelland area has local historical organizations that may hold obituary files and burial records not found in state archives.

State-Level Death Record Requests

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit in Austin holds the central index of all Texas death records since 1903. If the county clerk cannot locate a record, or if you prefer to order online or by mail from outside the area, DSHS is the right resource.

Mail requests to: Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit, P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Walk-in service is at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756. Call (888) 963-7111 for general information and to ask about processing times.

Order online through Texas.gov or VitalChek. Both services add a convenience fee. Standard processing takes 7 to 14 business days. VitalChek offers rush options for an extra charge.

Always download the current form from the DSHS death records page before submitting. The page also shows current fees and acceptable ID types. Using an outdated form can delay your request.

Cities in Hockley County

Levelland is the county seat and the largest city in Hockley County. Sundown and Anton are smaller communities in the county. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All death records for events in Hockley County are filed with the county clerk in Levelland.

Nearby Counties

Lubbock County, Terry County, Yoakum County, Cochran County, Lamb County