Find Death Records in Midland County

Midland County death records are held by the County Clerk in Midland and cover deaths filed in this West Texas county since 1903. If you need a certified death certificate for estate settlement, insurance, or legal purposes, you can request one in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the county's dedicated birth and death records process. The Texas Department of State Health Services also handles statewide orders for any Texas death certificate.

Midland County Clerk Office

The Midland County Clerk is located at 200 W. Wall Street, Suite 105 in downtown Midland. Midland County is a major population and economic center in the Permian Basin. The county includes the city of Midland and extends into the surrounding West Texas region. Because of the county's size and the oil-related population that cycles in and out, the clerk's office processes a significant volume of death record filings.

The Midland County Clerk page has current information on services and procedures.

The county clerk handles both current filings and requests for older death records going back to 1903.

The Midland County birth and death certificate page provides specific instructions on how to request certified copies, what identification is required, and any current forms or fees.

Review the county's official instructions before visiting in person or sending a mail request.

Getting a Certified Death Certificate

The Midland County Clerk charges $21 for a certified death certificate. Each additional copy of the same record costs $4 when ordered at the same time. These state-set fees apply uniformly across Texas.

For in-person requests, go to 200 W. Wall Street, Suite 105 during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and give the clerk the name and date of death. The birth and death records section of the Midland County Clerk's office handles these requests. If the record is indexed, you can usually receive a certified copy the same day.

For mail requests, review the instructions at co.midland.tx.us/176 to confirm current procedures. Generally you will need to include the name and date of death, your relationship to the deceased, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Midland County Clerk. Mail to 200 W. Wall Street, Suite 105, Midland, TX 79701. Allow two to four weeks for processing.

State-level orders through DSHS work for any Texas county. VitalChek provides online ordering with home delivery for an added convenience fee.

Who Can Request Death Records

Texas restricts access to death records for 25 years from the date of death. During that period, only the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased may request a certified copy. Their legal representatives may also make the request on their behalf.

If you don't qualify but have a direct legal or financial need, you may be able to get the record by explaining your reason to the clerk. Settling an estate, a life insurance claim, or supporting a court proceeding are examples of recognized needs. Supporting documents may be required.

After 25 years from the date of death, the record is public. Anyone can request it without any explanation. Genealogists and family researchers rely heavily on these public-access records.

All requestors must show a valid photo ID. The DSHS accepted ID guide lists all recognized forms, including driver's licenses, state IDs, passports, and military IDs.

Fees and Payment

Midland County Clerk: $21 for the first certified copy, $4 for each additional copy. Pay in person with cash, check, or money order. For mail requests, use a check or money order payable to the Midland County Clerk. Do not mail cash.

DSHS: $20 for the first copy, $3 per additional copy. Expedited 24-hour service is available for $25 extra. DSHS phone: (888) 963-7111. Mail: P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. In-person: 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756.

VitalChek adds a convenience fee. The amount varies by delivery speed. Standard mail is the least expensive delivery option available.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 governs death registration. Deaths must be filed within 10 days. The funeral director or person with legal charge of the body files the certificate with the local registrar. In Midland County, the county clerk or a deputy serves in this role.

The certificate must list the deceased's full legal name, date and location of death, and cause of death as certified by a physician or medical examiner. For unexpected or unexplained deaths, a justice of the peace may open an inquest under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. Midland County has a medical examiner's office that handles sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths locally.

All Texas vital records are processed through TxEVER (Texas Electronic Vital Events Registrar), the state's centralized electronic platform. This system links county offices, funeral homes, and hospitals and feeds into the DSHS statewide index.

Key statutes: Health and Safety Code Chapter 191, Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49, and Title 25, Chapter 181 of the Texas Administrative Code.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Midland County's official death records begin in 1903. Before that, the county was sparsely settled, and any pre-registration records would be in private hands, church archives, or early probate files. The oil boom that began in the early 20th century brought rapid population growth, which is reflected in the increasing volume of records after the 1920s.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds microfilm of Texas vital records going back to the start of statewide registration. Their archives are a key resource for early Midland County death records.

FamilySearch has free searchable Texas death records including indexes and some certificate images. Their collection covers many decades and can be accessed from home without a visit to the courthouse.

Ancestry.com holds Texas death indexes and some certificate images. Public libraries in Midland often provide free Ancestry access for library cardholders.

The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum Library and the Midland County Public Library hold local historical materials including newspaper archives and obituary files that can supplement the official death record system for West Texas family research.

State-Level Death Record Requests

The Texas Department of State Health Services handles statewide death certificate requests. DSHS can process orders for Midland County or any other Texas county. This is a reliable option if you need records from multiple counties or are not sure exactly where a death was registered.

Contact DSHS at (888) 963-7111 or at dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics. Mail to P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. In-person service is at 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756.

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.

Additional guidance is at dshs.texas.gov/vs/death.

Cities in Midland County

Midland is the county seat and the only qualifying city in Midland County. You can find city-specific death records information at Midland. Other areas of the county, including smaller communities and unincorporated areas, do not meet the threshold for their own pages. Their records are handled through the Midland County Clerk at 200 W. Wall Street.

Nearby Counties

Deaths near the Midland County border may be registered with a neighboring county. Check these offices if needed: Ector County, Martin County, Glasscock County, Upton County, Andrews County.