CERTIFIED COPIES OF BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES: Effective September 1, 2015, all applications for certified copies of Birth and Death certificates which are mailed into the County Clerk's office must be signed in front of a notary public, per Health and Safety Code, Sec. 191.0031.
General Information
A Death Record is public information and available to the public on or after the 25th anniversary of the date of death as shown on the record filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics or local registration official.
Government Code 552.115 (a) (2).
The following may apply for a Death Certificate:
The registrant or an immediate family member (Parents, children, spouses, siblings, legal guardian or grandparents of the registrant. TAC, Title 25, Rule 181.13 (13)
If you are not an immediate family member, you must provide a certified copy of legal documentation that states the requestor’s direct and tangible interest in the record.
Anyone else must have a signed (original) statement authorizing them (naming them) to pick up the death certificate. This statement must include a copy of your government issued ID. The person named in your request must present their original government issued ID also.
The following information is required:
Full name as it appears on death record.
Date and county of death.
Parents' names, including mother's maiden name.
Your relationship to person named on certificate.
Your mailing address.
Purpose of record.
In writing you will need to send a notarized application and a copy of your valid government issued ID.
In person you will need to provide your original valid government issued ID.
Cost per copy is $21.00, payable to the Ellis County Clerk at one of the addresses above. Extra copies are $4.00 each.
Payment can be made by Cashiers Check, Money Order, Credit/Debit Card. No personal checks accepted.
Please do not send cash through the mail
Turnaround time is 7 business days.
For more information call 972-825-5070
The above information is required by Statute TAC 181.28. Death records are considered confidential information; therefore, all requirements must be met. If you are unable to meet the requirements, please contact the State Bureau of Vital Statistics in Austin. The toll-free phone number is (888) 963-7111. The fax number is (512) 458-7506.
Death records are not normally available in the County Clerk's Office for approximately two (2) weeks after date of death.
Death Records Prior to 1903 - Our office does not have any death records filed prior to 1903 nor are we aware of the existence of any Texas death certificates filed prior to 1903. For information on genealogical searches, contact the Genealogy Collection at the State Archives Library at 512-463-5463. Or you may contact the County Clerk's office in the county where the death took place.