Look Up Mills County Death Records

Mills County death records are filed with the County Clerk in Goldthwaite and go back to 1903, when Texas established statewide death registration. The clerk's office in Goldthwaite is the local source for certified death certificates covering deaths that occurred in Mills County. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the Texas Department of State Health Services for statewide processing.

Mills County Clerk Office

The Mills County Clerk is at 1 Courthouse Square in Goldthwaite, a small Central Texas town that serves as the county seat. Mills County lies between the Colorado River valley and the upper Lampasas River drainage, bordered by Hamilton, Comanche, Brown, San Saba, Lampasas, and Coryell counties. It is one of the smaller rural counties in the state.

The clerk's office handles death record filings for the entire county. Because the county population is small, the volume of filings is low. Staff are generally available for in-person assistance and can search the local index quickly. Calling ahead at (325) 648-2711 before visiting is a good idea, especially if you are traveling from out of the area.

Mills County does not have a public online portal for death certificate requests. Use DSHS or the Texas.gov vital records system for remote or digital requests. For in-person or mail service, use the Goldthwaite address.

Getting a Certified Death Certificate

The Mills County Clerk charges $21 for a certified death certificate. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $4. These fees are set by state law and apply uniformly across all Texas counties.

For in-person requests, visit 1 Courthouse Square during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and give the clerk the name and date of death. If the record is on file, you can generally receive a certified copy the same day. Older records may take a bit more time to locate.

Mail requests should include the deceased's full name, the date of death, your relationship to them, a copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order payable to the Mills County Clerk. Mail to 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 103, Goldthwaite, TX 76844. Allow two to four weeks for processing and return delivery.

DSHS handles statewide orders from Austin and can process requests for any Texas county. VitalChek is available for online ordering with home delivery for an added convenience fee.

Who Can Request Death Records

Texas restricts death records for 25 years from the date of death. During that period, only the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased may get a certified copy, or a legal representative acting for one of them. If you don't qualify, you must show a direct and tangible legal need.

Legal needs that qualify include settling an estate, resolving a life insurance claim, supporting a probate proceeding, or similar matters tied to the death. The clerk may ask for a written explanation and supporting documents.

After 25 years from the date of death, the record is public. Anyone can request it without explaining why. These older records are the primary resource for genealogical research.

All requestors must show a valid government-issued photo ID. The DSHS accepted ID guide lists all recognized forms.

Fees and Payment

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

DSHS: $20 for the first copy, $3 per additional copy. Expedited 24-hour service costs an extra $25. 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. Standard mail is the least expensive delivery option available through this service.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 191 requires that deaths be registered within 10 days. The funeral director or person with legal charge of the body files the certificate with the county clerk or a designated deputy serving as the local registrar. The certificate must include the deceased's full name, date and place of death, and the cause of death certified by a physician or medical examiner.

When a death is sudden, unattended, or the cause is unclear, a justice of the peace opens an inquest under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 49. In small rural counties like Mills, JP inquests are a regular part of the death registration process because many deaths occur outside a hospital setting. The JP certifies the cause before the certificate can be signed off.

Texas uses TxEVER (Texas Electronic Vital Events Registrar) to process and store all vital records filings. This system connects county clerks, funeral homes, and hospitals statewide, ensuring that every Mills County death is captured in the DSHS central index.

Relevant 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

Mills County death records begin in 1903. The county was organized in 1887, so there is a gap of roughly 16 years between formation and the start of official death registration. For deaths in the county between 1887 and 1903, church records, cemetery logs, and probate files from the courthouse are the most likely sources.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds historical vital records microfilm from the start of statewide registration. Their archives cover all Texas counties and their staff can help you determine what Mills County records are available in the early years.

FamilySearch provides free searchable Texas death records by name, county, and date. This is often the fastest way to do a preliminary search before contacting the clerk's office or archives.

Ancestry.com holds Texas death indexes and some certificate images. Many Texas public libraries offer free Ancestry access for library cardholders.

Local sources include the Goldthwaite Public Library and the Mills County Historical Commission. Cemetery records for Mills County cemeteries have been documented by local volunteers and can be searched online through Find A Grave and similar platforms. These records can fill in gaps for early 20th-century deaths and provide burial information that may not be in the official index.

State-Level Death Record Requests

The Texas Department of State Health Services handles statewide death certificate requests. DSHS can process orders for Mills County or any Texas county. This is especially convenient if you cannot travel to Goldthwaite.

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 information is at dshs.texas.gov/vs/death.

Cities in Mills County

Goldthwaite is the county seat of Mills County. No cities in Mills County meet the population threshold for a separate records page. Death records for all parts of the county, including Goldthwaite, Mullin, and Star, are handled through the Mills County Clerk at 1 Courthouse Square in Goldthwaite.

Nearby Counties

Deaths near the Mills County border may be filed with a neighboring clerk. Check these offices if needed: Hamilton County, Comanche County, Brown County, San Saba County, Lampasas County.