Texas, Death Index, 1964-1998

What Is in This Collection?

The collection consists of a name index to Texas statewide death certificates for 4 million people who died between 1964 and 1998. Standard forms for death certificates and report of death were filled out by a county clerk, mortician or medical professional, who talked to the informant. The certificates were filed with county clerks or local registrars, who forwarded the information to the Texas Department of Health, now known as the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Texas has recorded deaths from 1903 to the present, plus about 250 registrations from the 1890s-1939 and nearly 2,000 delayed registrations of death from 1890s-1990, as reported from obituaries and probate records. Deaths were recorded to better serve public health needs. They were also used in connection with the probate of wills and the administration of estates. Information pertaining to death is reliable; including cause of death, name of the attending physician or medical professional, name and address of the funeral home used, and the exact date and place of burial. The other information is usually provided by the informant (often a family member). This is an index only collection.

Starting around 1911 records begin to include:

• Birth date, birthplace, burial date, and burial place
• The names of the spouse and parents, and women's maiden name
• The deceased's marital status
• The deceased's occupation and may identify the employer
• The informant

Additional records and/or images may be added to this collection in the future.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

The following information may be found in these records:

• Name of deceased
• Death date
• Death place
• Gender
• Marital status

Collection Content

Coverage Table

For a table with the number of records by county in this collection see Texas Death Coverage Table.