Search Tarrant County Death Records

Tarrant County death records are held by the Tarrant County Clerk in Fort Worth and by the Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin. This page covers how to get a certified death certificate, office locations, fees, access rules, and resources for historical research in one of Texas's most populous counties.

Tarrant County Clerk Office

The Tarrant County Clerk maintains vital records including death certificates for the county. The main office is in the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in downtown Fort Worth. A second location serves the south part of the county at 1100 E. Broad St., Suite 200, Mansfield, TX 76063. Both offices can process death record requests during normal business hours.

Tarrant County death records go back to 1903, giving researchers access to more than a century of local vital records. The clerk's office handles certified copies, informational copies, and records searches. Staff can help you determine which office has the records you need and how to complete the application correctly.

One important point about Tarrant County: Arlington maintains its own separate vital records and Tarrant County has no access to Arlington death records. If the person you are researching died in Arlington, you must contact the Arlington vital records office directly at 101 W. Abram, 1st Floor, Arlington, TX 76010, not the Tarrant County Clerk. This distinction is easy to miss and causes delays for many requesters.

The Tarrant County vital records page has up-to-date information on fees, forms, and office hours.

The site lists all documents accepted as proof of relationship and the specific forms required for each record type.

Getting a Certified Death Certificate

A certified death certificate is the legal document used to settle estates, claim life insurance, transfer property, and handle other affairs after a death. In Tarrant County, you can get a certified copy from the county clerk, from DSHS, or through VitalChek online.

For in-person requests, visit either the Fort Worth main office or the Mansfield branch. Bring a valid photo ID and fill out the application at the counter. Staff can usually process the request the same day if the record is on file. For mail requests, download the form from the Tarrant County website, attach a copy of your ID, and mail it with payment to the Fort Worth address.

VitalChek is an online option authorized by both Tarrant County and the state. You can order through the Tarrant County VitalChek portal and receive your certificate by mail within seven to fourteen business days. VitalChek adds a processing fee beyond the base certificate cost, but it is convenient if you cannot visit an office in person.

The Tarrant County birth and death records page details the specific procedures for ordering death certificates locally.

The page also covers what identification is required and how long processing typically takes for each order method.

Who Can Request Death Records

Texas restricts access to death records that are less than 25 years old. Only qualified requesters can get a certified copy of a recent record. Qualifying individuals include a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent of the deceased. Legal representatives who can show they are acting on behalf of a qualified family member also qualify.

Records that are 25 years old or older are public records. Anyone can order a copy without needing to prove a family relationship. This opens up access for genealogy researchers, historians, and others who may have no direct connection to the deceased.

To request a restricted record, you must show valid photo ID and document your relationship. Acceptable IDs are listed on the DSHS website. If you are a legal representative, bring documentation showing your authority, such as a court order or notarized letter. Tarrant County staff follow state rules on access, so the same requirements apply whether you request at the county or through DSHS.

Fees and Payment

Tarrant County charges $21 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4. These fees match the state standard set by DSHS.

If you order directly through DSHS, the fee is $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy in the same order. DSHS also offers an expedited processing option for $25 on top of the regular fee. VitalChek orders for Tarrant County include the certificate fee plus a VitalChek service charge that varies by order type.

Payment at the Tarrant County Clerk's office can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the Tarrant County Clerk. For online orders through VitalChek, credit and debit cards are accepted. Plan to order multiple copies if you will need them for insurance, probate, banks, and government agencies, since each may want its own certified original.

The Tarrant County VitalChek ordering portal shows current fees and processing time estimates before you complete your order.

You can select how many copies you need and what delivery method works best for your situation.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

Death registration in Texas is governed by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 191. This law requires that every death be registered within 10 days and sets out who is responsible for filing the certificate. The attending physician or medical examiner certifies the cause of death. The funeral director then files the certificate with the local registrar, who sends it to DSHS.

Access to death records is also controlled by state law. Records under 25 years old are restricted to qualified family members and legal representatives. Once a record reaches the 25-year mark, it becomes publicly accessible. These rules are consistent statewide and apply to Tarrant County the same as any other Texas county.

When a death occurs under unusual circumstances or without medical supervision, the case falls under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 49. The justice of the peace or medical examiner must conduct an inquest before the death certificate can be completed. Tarrant County has an active medical examiner's office that handles these cases for the county.

Texas uses the TxEVER electronic system for all new death registrations. Funeral homes, hospitals, and medical facilities file directly through TxEVER, which speeds up the process and reduces errors compared to the old paper system. Most deaths registered after 2006 are available in the electronic system.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Tarrant County has one of the richest collections of historical vital records in Texas, with death certificates going back to 1903. For genealogy research, several resources can help you find older records that may not be in the standard state system.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds indexes and microfilm copies of early death records from across the state, including Tarrant County. Their online search tools let you locate records by name and date, and staff can assist with research questions. The archives in Austin are open to the public during regular hours.

FamilySearch has digitized a large number of Texas death records and made them available for free. Their Texas collection includes death certificates, indexes, and related documents. FamilySearch is a good first stop for any Tarrant County genealogy project because the access is free and the search tools are straightforward.

Ancestry.com also has a strong Texas death record collection. Subscribers can search by name, year, and county. Their collection complements what is available on FamilySearch and often includes records from different sources that fill in gaps. The Tarrant County Historical Commission is another local resource with information on older records and local history archives.

State-Level Death Record Requests

DSHS in Austin is the state authority for all Texas death records. If you cannot find a record through Tarrant County or prefer to order from the state directly, contact the DSHS Vital Statistics Unit.

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.

DSHS can be reached by phone at (888) 963-7111. Mail requests go to 1100 W. 49th St., Austin, TX 78756, or P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. The DSHS vital statistics site has application forms, fee information, and instructions for both mail and online orders. DSHS also handles corrections, delayed registrations, and genealogy requests for older records.

Cities in Tarrant County

Tarrant County includes several large cities. Fort Worth is the county seat and largest city. Arlington is the second largest city in the county but maintains its own separate vital records office independent of the Tarrant County Clerk. Mansfield is served by the Tarrant County branch office at 1100 E. Broad St. Other cities in the county include Euless, Bedford, Hurst, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, North Richland Hills, and Haltom City, all of which are served by the county clerk or the state DSHS office for death record requests.

Nearby Counties

Adjacent county clerks may hold records for deaths near county lines. See pages for Dallas County, Johnson County, Parker County, Hood County, Wise County, Denton County, Collin County, and Ellis County.