How to Locate Someone Deceased in Texas

Some genealogy groups will have records of those buried in Texas cemeteries.

For those researching their family tree, technology has allowed greater access to records of the past. While locating someone who is deceased in Texas can be challenging if the researcher is unsure of the person's final resting place, there are several resources available to assist in this search. Immediate family members may take advantage of state laws that allow them to request a copy of the deceased person's death certificate, while other resources such as genealogy organizations and cemetery websites may provide answers for others.

Instructions

Request a Death Certificate

1. Request a copy of the death certificate with the Texas Department of State Health Services. However, only immediate family members are able to request death certificates in Texas if the death occurred during the past 25 years. Anyone else must first have legal documentation allowing the request.

2. Research the requirements for requesting a death certificate such as proof of identification as well as any associated fees listed on the state's vital records website.

3. Submit the application materials either via the Internet, in person or by mail.

Use Other Resources

1. Contact local genealogy societies or organizations in Texas. Some genealogy organizations have access to copies of obituaries, death records and lists of cemeteries.

2. After locating the cemetery where the person is buried, check the cemetery's website or with the director to see if any information on the person who is deceased is available.

3. Search for the obituary. Newspapers often keep records dating back several years of obituaries that have run in the paper. Libraries may have access to older obituaries that appeared in the newspaper several decades ago.

Tips & Warnings

• An immediate family member is considered to be someone who is directly related to the person who died, such as a child, parent or spouse.

• According to the state of Texas, if you are requesting a copy of a death certificate for someone who died within the past 90 days, the request may take longer to process.

References

• Texas Department of State Health Services: Request a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate
• Interment: Texas Cemetery Records
• Deeper Diggin: Cemeteries of Texas

Resources

• Texas Department of State Health Services: Vital Records Application