Howard County Death Records

Death records for Howard County are filed with the County Clerk in Big Spring and maintained at the state level by the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit. This page covers how to request certified death certificates, who qualifies under the 25-year restriction, fees, applicable statutes, and resources for historical West Texas genealogy research.

Howard County Clerk Office

The Howard County Clerk is at 300 Main Street in Big Spring, the county seat. Big Spring is the largest city in Howard County and serves as the hub for county government services. The clerk office handles death certificate filings for events throughout Howard County and issues certified copies to eligible requestors.

In-person requests are typically processed the same day. Mail requests take approximately one to two weeks. For mail requests, send your completed form, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order payable to Howard County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not mail cash.

If the county does not have the record you need, the clerk can refer you to DSHS in Austin. The state office holds the complete Texas death record index and handles requests by mail and online.

Getting a Certified Death Certificate

A certified death certificate from Howard County costs $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through DSHS. Online orders are placed through Texas.gov or VitalChek.

Fill out the request form before you submit. The form asks for the deceased's full legal name, date of death, county of death, and your name and address. For records within the restricted period, also state your relationship to the deceased and attach a copy of your valid ID. The form is available at the clerk's office or from the DSHS website.

Mail requests go to: Howard County Clerk, 300 Main Street, Big Spring, TX 79720. Include a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail processing takes one to two weeks.

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 access to death records for 25 years after the date of death. Only eligible individuals can get a certified copy during this period. Eligible requestors are the deceased's spouse or former spouse, parent, child, sibling, or a legal representative with written authorization. Funeral directors acting on behalf of the family also qualify.

After 25 years, the record is public. Any person can request a copy. You still fill out the form and pay the fee, but eligibility is not checked.

Informational copies are available to a broader group during the restricted period. They show the same data as certified copies but are not valid for legal purposes. If you need the certificate for estate proceedings, insurance, or official government matters, get the certified version and confirm your eligibility first.

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

Fees and Payment

The Howard County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered together. State law sets these fees uniformly across all Texas counties.

DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy. A $25 non-refundable search fee applies when the state searches but cannot locate the record. This is charged regardless of the search outcome.

At the county clerk, payment can be made by cash, check, or money order. Call (432) 264-2213 to ask about credit card options. 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 to each transaction.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Texas death records are governed by Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. The law requires all deaths in Texas to be registered with the local registrar within a set period. The Howard County Clerk is the local registrar and sends filings to DSHS after receiving them.

After a death, the physician or medical examiner certifies cause of death. The funeral director then files the certificate through TxEVER, Texas's electronic vital events system. TxEVER connects funeral homes and hospitals directly to the state database, reducing delays. Most facilities in Howard County file electronically.

For violent or unexplained deaths, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49 governs the process. A justice of the peace or medical examiner investigates and certifies. Those records may be restricted or delayed while investigations remain active.

The Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 181 provides the regulatory detail for vital statistics, covering registration procedures and requirements for death certificates.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Texas statewide death registration began in 1903. Records before that year are not in the DSHS system. Howard County was organized in the 1880s, and some early deaths may be found in local church records and cemetery registers from that period. The county's growth tied to railroad development in the late 1800s means records from early settlers may be scattered across various archives.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission in Austin holds historical vital records and indexes for all Texas counties. They maintain microfilmed death registers dating to 1903. Their online catalog can help identify available records before a visit.

FamilySearch offers free access to Texas death records from 1903 forward. Their Texas Death Certificates collection is digitized and searchable online. No paid subscription is needed. This is typically the best free starting point for Howard County genealogy research.

Ancestry.com has Texas death records from 1903 to 1982. Full images require a paid subscription. Ancestry also links death records to census and family tree data, which can help connect a deceased individual to a broader family history in West Texas.

Local cemeteries in Big Spring and throughout Howard County often have burial records available through Find A Grave and BillionGraves. The Big Spring Heritage Museum and county historical society may also hold materials not found in state archives.

State-Level Death Record Requests

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit in Austin holds the complete index of all Texas death records since 1903. When the county clerk cannot find a record, or when you prefer to order remotely, 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 pending orders.

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

Get the current form from the DSHS death records page before submitting. Forms change periodically. Using an outdated version can result in your request being returned without processing.

Cities in Howard County

Big Spring is the county seat and the only significant city in Howard County. It is a mid-size West Texas city with a history tied to the railroad and oil industry. Big Spring does not meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All death records for events in Howard County are filed with the county clerk in Big Spring.

Nearby Counties

Martin County, Dawson County, Borden County, Scurry County, Mitchell County, Sterling County, Glasscock County