Search Briscoe County Death Index

The Briscoe County Death Index covers death records filed with the County Clerk in Silverton, Texas. Briscoe County is a small Panhandle county with records going back to 1903, and both the county clerk and the Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office can help you search for and obtain certified copies of death certificates registered in the county.

Briscoe County Clerk and Death Records

The Briscoe County Clerk in Silverton serves as the local registrar for all vital records in the county, including death records. The office phone number is 806-823-2135. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Briscoe County is a small agricultural county in the Texas Panhandle, organized in 1892 after being created from Bexar County in 1876. Death records here go back to 1903, when statewide registration began.

The clerk follows state fee rules. A certified copy of a death certificate costs $21.00 for the first copy and $4.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You must present a valid government-issued photo ID when you request records during the 25-year confidential period. If a search is conducted and no record is found, the search fee is still charged and is not refundable.

Briscoe County is a small county with a small staff, so calling ahead before you visit is a good idea. The clerk can tell you what records they have and what you need to bring. For records that go back before 1903 or for genealogical research, the Texas State Library and Archives in Austin may have additional indexes.

The Briscoe County website provides contact information and services for the County Clerk's office in Silverton, including vital records access.

The Briscoe County Clerk office in Silverton is the local point of contact for obtaining certified death certificates for events registered in the county.

How to Search Briscoe County Death Records

You have a few options for getting death records from Briscoe County. Going in person to the clerk's office in Silverton is the most direct way. Bring valid ID and the fee. The clerk can search by name and date of death and issue certified copies on the spot if the records are available.

Mail requests work too. Fill out the VS-142 Death Certificate Application and send it to the Briscoe County Clerk in Silverton with a copy of your ID and a check or money order. Allow extra time for mail processing. Most requests are handled within a few business days once the office receives them.

The state online ordering system at txapps.texas.gov is another option. Online orders go through the DSHS office in Austin and are mailed to you. State fees are $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy. Processing at the state office takes 20 to 25 business days on average. For Briscoe County, the county clerk is usually the faster path since the office is smaller and can handle requests more quickly.

Who Can Get Briscoe County Death Records

Texas restricts death records that are less than 25 years old. Only immediate family members can get certified copies during that period. Immediate family means a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent. A legal representative with the right documentation can also request records. This rule applies whether you go to the Briscoe County Clerk or order through the state.

After 25 years from the date of death, the record becomes public. Anyone can then request a copy. This comes from Texas Government Code Section 552.115. The DSHS acceptable ID list shows what forms of identification the clerk will accept at time of request. Making a false statement to obtain a death certificate is a felony with serious penalties under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 195.

Briscoe County Death Index for Genealogy

For family history research, the statewide Texas death index is the best starting point. FamilySearch's Texas Death Index covers deaths from 1903 to 2000 and is free to search. Ancestry's Texas Death Index covers a similar range and includes over 7 million entries. Both are index-only resources that give you a name, county, date, and certificate number to use when requesting the actual record.

Briscoe County was organized in 1892, so the oldest county records date from around that time. The death index starts in 1903 with the rest of Texas. If you are researching Briscoe County families, note that some early records may be sparse due to the county's small and rural population. The Texas State Library and Archives holds statewide indexes through 1973 and is a good resource for older searches.

Note: FamilySearch and Ancestry indexes help you find certificate numbers. They do not replace a certified copy from the clerk.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office maintains the statewide death records system that all Texas county clerks, including Briscoe County, use to register and certify death certificates.

The DSHS Vital Statistics office in Austin is the central repository for Texas death records, with data from every county including Briscoe going back to 1903.

Nearby Counties

Briscoe County sits in the Texas Panhandle. These nearby counties may have records for people who lived or died near the county lines.

Hall County • Floyd County • Motley County • Swisher County • Armstrong County