Loving County Death Records
Loving County death records are kept by the County Clerk in Mentone, the county seat of the least populous county in the United States. Loving County sits in the Permian Basin of West Texas near the New Mexico border, and its permanent resident population numbers in the dozens. Death certificates for the county are registered under the Texas statewide system since 1903, and certified copies can be requested from the clerk or directly from Texas DSHS in Austin.
Loving County Overview
Loving County Clerk Office
| Office | Loving County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 194, Mentone, TX 79754 |
| Phone | (432) 377-2441 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | dshs.texas.gov |
Note: Texas Senate Bill 16 requires valid photo ID for all official public record filings submitted at this office.
The Loving County Clerk's office in Mentone is one of the smallest county government offices in the entire United States. Loving County is the least populous county in the country, with a population that historically fluctuates but remains extremely small. The clerk's office handles vital records including death certificates for deaths registered in the county.
Because of the county's extreme remoteness, located off US-302 northwest of Pecos, calling ahead at (432) 377-2441 before any visit is essential. Staff availability and hours can vary in a county this small. Mail requests to P.O. Box 194, Mentone, TX 79754 with a copy of your photo ID, the deceased's name and year of death, your relationship, and a check or money order payable to the Loving County Clerk. Do not mail cash.
For the vast majority of people seeking records tied to Loving County, ordering directly from Texas DSHS in Austin is the most practical approach. The state holds the same records and processes requests without requiring travel to or mail to one of the most remote locations in Texas.
Getting a Certified Death Certificate
Certified death certificates from Loving County cost $21 for the first copy and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. These documents carry the Texas state seal and are legally required for estate matters, insurance claims, government benefits, and court proceedings. The county clerk can issue certified copies for deaths registered in Loving County.
You'll need the full legal name of the deceased, the year or date of death, and your own name, address, relationship, and valid photo ID. For deaths within the last 25 years, you must qualify as an eligible requester under Texas law before a certified copy can be issued.
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.
Given Loving County's tiny population, the total number of death certificates on file is extremely limited. If you believe a death occurred in Loving County, confirm this with the clerk before submitting a request, since the record may have been registered in a neighboring county depending on where the person died and was attended by a physician.
Who Can Request Death Records
Texas law restricts certified death certificates for deaths within the past 25 years. Eligible requesters include the surviving spouse, parents, adult children, and siblings of the deceased. Legal representatives of the estate and people with a documented legal or financial need tied to the death also qualify.
After 25 years, death records become public. Anyone can request a copy without providing a specific reason. For Loving County, the very small number of historical death records means any particular record is likely unique and may be of significant value to family researchers.
Call (432) 377-2441 with any eligibility questions before submitting a request. The DSHS acceptable ID page lists what forms of photo identification are accepted statewide for vital record requests.
Fees and Payment
The Loving County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified death certificate and $4 for each additional copy of the same record. At the office, cash, check, or money order is accepted. Mail requests require a check or money order payable to the Loving County Clerk. Do not send cash by mail.
Texas DSHS charges $20 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy. Online orders through VitalChek add a service fee. All fees are established by Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191.
Fees are not refunded if no record is found. Given the very small number of deaths registered in Loving County historically, confirming the record exists before paying is especially important here. A call to (432) 377-2441 or to DSHS at (888) 963-7111 can verify whether a specific death was registered in this county.
Texas Law and Death Record Requirements
Texas requires all deaths to be registered under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191. The certificate must be filed within 10 days of death and before burial, cremation, or removal from the state. The physician or medical examiner certifies the cause of death. The funeral director files the certificate with the local registrar, the county clerk in Mentone.
When the cause of death is unclear or involves potential criminal activity, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49 requires an inquest by a justice of the peace or medical examiner. In Loving County, deaths of oil field workers or individuals in remote areas may involve coordination with a regional medical examiner from a neighboring county.
TxEVER processes all Texas death registrations electronically. Funeral homes serving the Permian Basin area file through TxEVER. The Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 181 sets out the administrative rules governing vital statistics in Texas.
Historical Death Records and Genealogy
Loving County was briefly organized in the 1890s but dissolved due to lack of population, and was not reorganized until 1931. For most of its history, the county has had fewer than a hundred permanent residents. Deaths before 1903 were not officially registered anywhere in what is now Loving County. The area was largely used by ranchers and oil interests. Records from neighboring Reeves and Ward counties may be more relevant for historical research.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds records for the Trans-Pecos and Permian Basin region that may include references to early Loving County history. Given the county's connection to the oil industry, some company records and employment files may supplement official death records for workers in the area.
FamilySearch Texas and Ancestry.com hold indexed Texas death records, though entries specifically for Loving County will be extremely few due to the population. Neighboring counties like Ward, Winkler, Reeves, and Pecos are more likely to have related family records for people connected to this part of West Texas.
State-Level Death Record Requests
Texas DSHS Vital Statistics in Austin is the most practical option for Loving County death records for almost everyone who needs them. The state holds all Texas death records from 1903 forward. Contact DSHS at (888) 963-7111 or write to 1100 W. 49th St., Austin TX 78756. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 12040, Austin TX 78711-2040.
The DSHS death records page has forms, the current fee schedule, and instructions for ordering by mail or in person. Online orders go through the Texas.gov portal via VitalChek with credit card payment accepted. Standard orders take 7 to 14 business days to process and arrive.
DSHS is also the right contact for any amendments or corrections to Loving County death certificates. The state office handles the amendment process with supporting documentation. Given the county's small scale, DSHS can also confirm in a preliminary search whether a death was registered in Loving County or in one of the surrounding Permian Basin counties.
Cities in Loving County
Mentone is the only community in Loving County and serves as the county seat. The county has no incorporated cities. No community in Loving County meets the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All death records for the county are handled through the clerk's office in Mentone. The nearest significant communities are in Reeves and Ward counties to the south and east.