Recent fatality reports near me

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) - Vital Statistics Section is responsible for generating and managing Texas death records. These records are categorized into: Texas death certificates and Texas death verification documents.

The DSHS provides records for deaths from 1903 till date. However, certificates of death prior to 1903 can be retrieved at the clerk's office in the county where the death occurred.

A Texas death certificate is a vital and legal record used in the following ways:

• To settle a deceased person's estate
• Insurance companies use it for issuing life insurance benefits
• Family members use death certificates to collect retirement benefits and transfer properties
• The cause of death can be used for purposes of medical research.
• The government uses information in a death certificate to track population-wide statistics.
• Law enforcement agencies use information in a death certificate for investigative purpos