How Do I Get A Death Certificate In Houston Texas?

death certificate houston

How Do I Get A Death Certificate In Houston Texas?


In this article, I will explain to get a death certificate in Houston. 

If the deceased passed away in Houston city limits then this article will explain the process of obtaining a death certificate. 

Obtaining A Death Certificate In Houston Texas

To get a death certificate in Houston, TX you will need to contact the Houston Health Department at 713.837.0311. Their Vital Statistics office is the place where you can start the process of obtaining a death certificate. 

The Houston death certificate office is located near NRG Stadium at 8000 North Stadium Drive, Houston, TX 77054. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 8 am to 3 pm and on Fridays from 8 am to 2 pm.

Editor’s Note: In addition to death certificates the Houston Health Department Vital Records offices also issues birth certificates those anyone born in Houston city limits. 

How Much Does A Death Certificate Cost In Houston?

The cost is $21 for a death certificate in Houston.  If you need an extra copy the cost is $4 for each additional certificate. 

Houston birth certificates and birth facts both cost $23. 

Payments that are accepted include cash and credit card. They do not accept checks.

Who Can Order A Death Certificate In Houston? 

Close family members, legal guardians, and attorneys can order death certificates for the deceased. 

Below is a list of individuals who can request a death certificate as well as the documents needed to prove their relationship to the deceased.  Regardless of the relationship, you will need to show a document from the Primary Acceptable ID list. You can find that in the next section. 

  • Parent – Primary Acceptable ID and present a birth certificate of the deceased child with your name as the parent.  
  • Grandparent – Primary Acceptable ID and prove the relationship to the deceased. This can be a birth certificate of the mother or father of the deceased grandchild. That birth certificate should list your name. 
  • Spouse – Primary Acceptable ID and a marriage certificate with the deceased’s name. 
  • Son or Daughter –  Primary Acceptable ID and prove the relationship to the deceased. This can be your birth certificate with the deceased’s name as your parent.
  • Brother or Sister – Primary Acceptable ID and my prove the relationship to the deceased. This can be your birth certificate indicating you have the same parent as the deceased. 
  • Legal Guardian – Primary Acceptable ID and prove the relationship to the deceased. This can be a Certified court order showing you have legal custody. 
  • Attorney – Primary Acceptable ID and my prove the relationship to the deceased. This can be a Certified copy of a court-issued document that establishes legal interest. Also, provide your Bar card. 

If you have questions about the documents needed to obtain a death certificate of a family member contact the Houston Health Department’s Vital Records office at  713.837.0311.

IDs Needed To Obtain A Death Certificate

In order to obtain your Houston death certificate, you will need to prove your identity. You can do this in a number of ways.

  1. Provide just one Primary Acceptable ID
  2. Offer two different Secondary Acceptable IDs
  3. Give one Secondary ID and 2 Supporting Documents

Below you will find examples of Primary Acceptable IDs, Secondary Acceptable IDs, and Supporting Documents.

Primary Acceptable IDs

If you can produce just one of the primary acceptable IDs listed below this will allow you to obtain a death certificate in Houston.

  • US Government-issued driver’s license and ID card
  • US Government employment badge/card or private company employment badge/card
  • United States Passport
  • Passports with advance parole designation stamp
  • Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued:
    • Employment Authorization Document (EAD);
    • Permanent Resident Card (green card);
    • Travel Documents:
      • Re-entry Permit
      • Refugee Travel Permit; or
      • Advance Parole;
    • SENTRI Card; or
    • U.S. Citizen Identification Card
  • United States Department of State issued: Border Crossing Card (B1 for business or pleasure or B2 medical purposes); or Visa
  • An offender Identification card issued by the Dept. of Criminal Justice correctional facility or institution. Prison Identification
  • Concealed Handgun License

Secondary Acceptable ID’s

If you lack a primary acceptable ID, your next option providing the Houston death certificate office with 2 of the secondary acceptable IDs listed below.

  • Foreign country Government-issued driver’s license or ID card
  • Foreign country Current student identification or US Current student ID
  • Any primary identification that is expired.
  • Signed Social Security card, or Numident
  • DD Form 214 Certificate of Release
  • Medicaid or Medicare card
  • Veterans Affairs card
  • Medical insurance card
  • Honduras Identification card or El Salvadoran or Honduran Consular certification document
  • Certified birth certificate from the Department of State (FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545).
  • Foreign birth certificate or current Foreign Passport
  • Private Company Employment Identification card
  • Form I-94 accompanied by the applicant’s Visa or Passport
  • Mexican voter registration card
  • Current foreign identification with an identifiable photo of the applicant.
  • Foreign Passport accompanied by a Visa issued by The United States Department of State
  • Foreign Passport in accordance with the United

Supporting Documents

Your last option for acceptable ID cards involves the supporting documents below. You will have to provide at least one of the Secondary Acceptable ID above in addition to 2 of the Supporting Documents on this list.

  • A recent utility bill (Must be current, show the same address and name of the requestor)or cell phone bill or contact
  • Current pay stub (must show requestors name, company name, and current address)
  • Bank account statement (must be a current statement showing requestors name and address)
  • Public assistance applications and letters (must be current and show requestors name and address)
  • A police report of stolen identification (must show requestors name, address, and date filed)
  • Official school transcript (must be certified by official seal) or Library card
  • Voters registration card (must be current and show your current address and name of the requestor)
  • Automobile insurance card (must show requestors name and be current and valid) or registration
  • Automobile title (must show requestors name)
  • Original homeowners, current life or auto insurance policy
  • Current hospital admission records, immunization records, medical bills
  • Current lease agreement with name, address, and signature
  • 13. Current tax return with name/address/signature or tax records
  • Marriage license or divorce decree – original or certified copy
  • Current official probation or parole documents
  • Social Security Letter, Marriage license, or Divorce decree
  • Promissory notes, Loan contracts, or installment payment contract
  • Certified birth certificate from a state other than Texas, District of Columbia, or another country
  • A court order or Property titles or liens
  • Fishing or hunting license
  • Religious records w/signature of a religious official
  • Recent Rent receipt with address and name
  • Dept. Homeland Security Notices or correspondence

If you have questions about the IDs that the Houston Health Department will accept for a death certificate, refer to their official list or call them at 713.837.0311.

Download Houston Death Certificate Application

You can download your death certificate here.

When completing the application be sure to follow all the instructions listed, complete each part of the application, include your demographic information, and select the type of certificate that you need.

houston birth certificate
Example of a Houston birth/death certificate.

How To Order A Death Certificate In Houston

To order a Houston death certificate you will need to contact the Houston Health Department Vital Records office and order your birth certificate online or make an appointment.

How To Obtain A Death Certificate For Harris County

You will need to contact the Harris County Clerk to obtain a death certificate if someone passes outside of the Houston city limit but in Harris County. 

This excludes the city’s of Baytown, La Porte, South Houston, Jacinto City, and Justice of Peace Precincts 3 & 4. You will need to contact those health departments to obtain a death certificate. The same applies when trying to obtain a Harris County birth certificate.

How To Order A Texas Death Certificate 

If someone passed away outside of Houston city limits, Harris County, but in Texas, the following information can help you obtain a death certificate. 

Visit Texas.gov to obtain a Texas death certificate. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission manages this website and will help you start the process of obtaining a death or Texas birth certificate.

How Long Do Houston Death Certificates Take To Arrive? 

The timeframe is typically 25-30 days to receive a Houston death certificate according to Texas Health and Human Services

Conclusion

To obtain a death certificate you will need to contact the city or county that the deceased passed away in. For the purpose of this article, if someone passed away in Houston city limits you will need to contact the Houston Health Department’s Vital Records office. 

If you have questions about obtaining a death certificate in Houston, then you can contact the Houston Health Department at 713.837.0311, visit the death certificate office at 8000 North Stadium Drive, Houston, TX 77054, or visit the Vital Statistics website.

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