Travis County Death Records

Travis County death records are split between two offices depending on the year and location of death. This page explains how that split works, where to request a certified death certificate, who can access restricted records, what fees apply, and how to search older records for genealogy research.

Travis County Clerk Office

The Travis County Clerk maintains birth and death records for the period from 1903 through 1956. If you are looking for a record of a death that occurred in Travis County before 1957, the county clerk at 5501 Airport Boulevard is the right place to start. Staff can search the local archive and provide certified copies of records in that date range.

For deaths that occurred in the City of Austin from 1957 forward, you must contact the City of Austin Office of Vital Records, not the Travis County Clerk. The City of Austin office is located at 7201 Levander Loop, Building C, Austin, TX 78702, and can be reached at 800-457-7586. This split of responsibility is important to understand before you request. Going to the wrong office will result in a delay.

For deaths that occurred in Travis County but outside the city limits of Austin in more recent years, contact DSHS in Austin, which holds the statewide registry. The county clerk, the city office, and DSHS together cover all Travis County death records from 1903 to the present.

The Travis County vital stats page provides current information on the records the county holds and how to request them.

The page also covers procedures for in-person and mail requests and lists the forms of identification required.

Getting a Certified Death Certificate

A certified death certificate is required to settle estates, claim life insurance, close financial accounts, and complete other legal and financial tasks. In Travis County, where you request the certificate depends on when and where the death occurred.

For deaths in Travis County from 1903 to 1956, contact the Travis County Clerk at 5501 Airport Boulevard. For deaths in the City of Austin from 1957 onward, contact the City of Austin Office of Vital Records at 7201 Levander Loop, Building C, Austin, TX 78702. For deaths in Travis County outside city limits in recent decades, contact DSHS in Austin.

You can also order through VitalChek for deaths registered with DSHS, which covers most current records statewide. VitalChek orders typically arrive within seven to fourteen business days. This can be a good option when you are not sure which local office holds the record you need and want to try the state system first.

For any request, have the full legal name of the deceased, the approximate date and location of death, and your relationship to the person ready. Bring valid photo ID if you are visiting in person. Mail requests need a copy of your ID and payment included with the application form.

Who Can Request Death Records

Texas law limits access to death records less than 25 years old. Only certain people can get a certified copy of a recent death certificate. These are the deceased's spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent, or a legal representative acting for one of them.

Once a record is 25 years old or older, it is publicly accessible. Any person can request a copy without needing to prove a family relationship. This rule applies to records held by the Travis County Clerk, the City of Austin office, and DSHS alike.

To request a restricted record, show valid photo ID and state your relationship to the deceased. Check the DSHS acceptable ID list to see which forms of identification are accepted. A driver's license, state ID, or passport all work. Legal representatives must bring documents showing their authority, such as letters testamentary, a power of attorney, or a court order.

Fees and Payment

The Travis County Clerk charges $21 for the first certified death certificate copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $4 each. The City of Austin Office of Vital Records and DSHS use similar fee structures.

DSHS charges $20 for the first certified copy and $3 per additional copy in the same request. DSHS offers expedited service for $25 extra. VitalChek orders include the base fee plus a service charge.

Payment at the Travis County Clerk is accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit card. Mail requests should include a check or money order. For DSHS and VitalChek orders, credit and debit cards are accepted online. Do not mail cash. Confirm the payment methods accepted at the City of Austin office when you call ahead.

Order all the certified copies you need at once. Banks, insurance companies, courts, the Social Security Administration, and pension plans each tend to need their own copy. Ordering in bulk saves money compared to placing separate requests later.

Texas Law and Death Record Requirements

The Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 191 sets the rules for death registration in Texas. Every death must be registered within 10 days. The attending physician certifies the cause of death. The funeral director files the certificate with the local registrar, who forwards it to DSHS for the state registry.

The 25-year access restriction comes from state vital records law and the Texas Administrative Code. Records under 25 years old are restricted to qualified family members. After the 25-year mark, the record is open to the public. Travis County follows these rules the same as every other Texas county.

Deaths under unusual circumstances in Travis County fall under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 49. Travis County has a full medical examiner's office that handles these cases. The medical examiner investigates, certifies the cause, and releases the death certificate after completing the review.

New death registrations use the TxEVER electronic system. Funeral homes and hospitals in Travis County file through TxEVER, feeding records directly into the state database. This system has significantly reduced the time between a death and when a certified copy is available for request.

Historical Death Records and Genealogy

Travis County death records date to 1903. For genealogy research, the Travis County Clerk holds records from 1903 to 1956 directly. The City of Austin holds records from 1957 forward for deaths within the city. DSHS holds statewide records across all time periods.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission holds indexes and microfilm for early Texas death records. Their collection is especially valuable for records from the first half of the 20th century that predate comprehensive electronic databases. The archives are open to researchers and can process mail requests.

FamilySearch provides free access to a large Texas death record collection. Their indexes and digitized records cover many decades and include Travis County certificates. FamilySearch is generally the best free starting point for Texas genealogy research.

Ancestry.com has a subscription-based Texas collection with a wide range of death records and related documents. Their Travis County holdings complement what is available for free. The Austin History Center is also a strong local resource for historical records and biographical information on Austin and Travis County residents.

State-Level Death Record Requests

DSHS in Austin is the central state authority for all Texas death records. For Travis County, DSHS is a practical option when you are not sure whether the county clerk or the City of Austin office holds the record, or when you want a single point of contact for any Texas county.

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 downloadable forms, fee information, and step-by-step ordering instructions. DSHS also handles corrections, delayed registrations, and genealogy access requests for older records.

Cities in Travis County

Austin is the county seat and capital of Texas. It is the largest city in Travis County by a wide margin and maintains its own Office of Vital Records separate from the Travis County Clerk for records from 1957 forward. Other communities in Travis County include Pflugerville, Lago Vista, Rollingwood, and West Lake Hills, but none of these meet the threshold for a dedicated records page. Residents of all Travis County communities can request death records through the Travis County Clerk, the City of Austin, or DSHS depending on the date and location of death.

Nearby Counties

See also: Williamson County, Bastrop County, Hays County, Blanco County, and Burnet County.