How much is a death certificate in Texas?

$20 for the first certified copy from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section, and $3 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Optional expedited processing costs $25 plus expedited return shipping. In-person card payments in Austin add a $2.25 processing fee.

Who can order a death certificate in Texas?

The registrant's immediate family (child, parent, sibling, grandparent or spouse), a legal guardian, or a legal agent or representative. Anyone else must provide legal documents showing a direct and tangible interest in the record.

How do I order a death certificate in Texas?

You can order online, by mail or in person. The state runs its own online ordering. One primary photo ID such as a driver's license, or two secondary IDs, or one secondary ID plus two supporting documents.

Death certificates

Death certificates in Texas

In Texas, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $20 from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $3. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.

Last checked October 20, 2026 on the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.

How to order in Texas

Ordering a certified copy of a death certificate in Texas
Office	Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
First certified copy	$20
Each extra copy, same order	$3 Optional expedited processing costs $25 plus expedited return shipping. In-person card payments in Austin add a $2.25 processing fee.
Who can order	The registrant's immediate family (child, parent, sibling, grandparent or spouse), a legal guardian, or a legal agent or representative. Anyone else must provide legal documents showing a direct and tangible interest in the record.
ID you need	One primary photo ID such as a driver's license, or two secondary IDs, or one secondary ID plus two supporting documents.
Ways to order	Online, by mail or in person. Order online from the state At the Vital Statistics office in Austin or at local registrar offices.
How long it takes	In person orders are usually filled the same day. Online orders take about 20 to 25 business days and mail orders about 25 to 30 business days, plus shipping.

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.

For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.

Questions people ask

How much is a death certificate in Texas?: $20 for the first certified copy from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section, and $3 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Optional expedited processing costs $25 plus expedited return shipping. In-person card payments in Austin add a $2.25 processing fee.
Who can order a death certificate in Texas?: The registrant's immediate family (child, parent, sibling, grandparent or spouse), a legal guardian, or a legal agent or representative. Anyone else must provide legal documents showing a direct and tangible interest in the record.
How do I order a death certificate in Texas?: You can order online, by mail or in person. The state runs its own online ordering. One primary photo ID such as a driver's license, or two secondary IDs, or one secondary ID plus two supporting documents.

Death certificates in Texas

How to order in Texas

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Questions people ask

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