Midland Death Index Lookup
Midland death index records are available through the Midland County Clerk's Office and the Texas Department of State Health Services. Midland is the county seat of Midland County in West Texas, and the death index covers events in the city and county from 1903 to the present. Certified copies can be ordered in person at the county clerk, by mail to DSHS in Austin, or online through the state's Texas.gov portal. Access to records from the past 25 years is restricted by state law to qualified family members and authorized representatives.
Midland Overview
Where to Get Midland Death Index Records
The Midland County Clerk holds death records for events in Midland and throughout the county. The clerk's office is in Midland, which is both the county seat and the largest city. In-person requests are typically processed quickly. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and a completed application form. The standard fee is $21 for the first copy of a death certificate and $4 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Payment by check or money order is accepted for mail-in requests.
The City of Midland Health Services also provides some vital statistics functions locally. The city's health department may hold records for births and deaths that occurred within the Midland city limits. If you are not sure which office to contact, start with the Midland County Clerk or call DSHS at (888) 963-7111. They can tell you which office registered the event and whether a record is on file.
| County Clerk | Midland County Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Midland, TX |
| DSHS Phone | (888) 963-7111 |
| Online Ordering | Texas.gov Portal |
| State Portal | dshs.texas.gov/vital-statistics |
Mail-in orders go to the DSHS Vital Statistics Section at P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040. Processing takes 25 to 30 business days on average for mail-in requests. Online orders through Texas.gov take 20 to 25 business days. Incomplete applications are returned without processing, so review your form carefully before sending.
The City of Midland provides local health services and maintains records for events within city limits, working alongside the county clerk for the broader Midland County area.
The city's health department and county clerk together serve as the primary sources for Midland death index records.
Midland County Death Records
Midland County is part of the Permian Basin region of West Texas. The county clerk maintains death records for all events in the county from 1903 forward. Records held at the county level mirror those filed with the state, since both draw from the same TxEVER electronic registration system. The Midland County government website has links to the clerk's office and other county services. For deaths that may have been recorded in a neighboring county, check Ector County if the event occurred near the county line.
Historical death index records are available through several free and low-cost resources. FamilySearch hosts the Texas Death Index from 1903 to 2000 at no charge. Ancestry holds the same index with images available for some certificate years. Both databases show the decedent's name, county, death date, and certificate number. Use them to confirm a record before ordering a certified copy. The Texas State Library and Archives holds microfilm indexes for 1903 through 1973 as well, available to the public in Austin.
The Midland County website provides access to county clerk information, vital records services, and other resources for Midland residents.
The Midland County Clerk maintains death records from 1903 to present for all events within the county.
How to Access Midland Death Records
Three ordering methods are available for Midland death records. In-person service at the Midland County Clerk is typically the fastest option. Most records can be issued the same day if the record is on file. Bring your ID, a completed application form, and the correct fee. Mail-in requests to the county clerk or DSHS take longer but are a good option if you can't get to the office in person. Online ordering through Texas.gov is convenient but takes 20 to 25 business days to process.
The standard application form for ordering a Texas death record through DSHS is the VS-142. You can download it from dshs.texas.gov. For expedited DSHS orders, send via overnight mail to 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756. Overnight requests submitted with the required expedited fee are processed first. Always verify the correct application form with the county clerk before mailing, as local procedures may differ slightly from the state form.
Note: Texas Government Code ยง 552.115 restricts death records less than 25 years old. Only immediate family members and authorized legal representatives may access those records.
Who Can Request Midland Death Records
Midland death index records for deaths within the past 25 years are available only to qualified applicants. Under Texas law, immediate family members include the decedent's child, spouse, parent, sibling, or grandparent. A legal guardian or attorney with proper court documents may also submit a request. You must show valid ID and may need to provide documentation proving your relationship to the deceased.
Death records older than 25 years are public information. No family relationship is required to request them. Verification letters are available for all deaths since 1903. They confirm the name, death date, and county but are not legal substitutes for certified copies. If a search does not find the record, state law requires that a search fee equal to the certificate fee be charged. That fee is not refundable. Check the free online death index databases first to verify the record exists before you pay for a certified copy.
Acceptable ID must include at least one document from Group A. That means a Texas driver's license, state ID card, U.S. passport, military ID, or license to carry a handgun. The full ID requirements are listed at dshs.texas.gov.
Midland County Death Index
Midland is the county seat of Midland County. Death records for the city and the county are maintained by the Midland County Clerk. For more on the county system, office locations, and additional resources, see the Midland County death index page.
Nearby Cities
Other qualifying cities near Midland with death index pages:
- Odessa - Ector County
- San Angelo - Tom Green County
- Lubbock - Lubbock County
- Abilene - Taylor County