Burleson County Death Index
The Burleson County Death Index covers death records filed in this central Texas county from 1903 to the present. The County Clerk in Caldwell serves as the local registrar and keeps all death certificates on file. If you need to search or obtain a certified copy, the County Clerk is your first stop. Records filed here are part of the statewide system maintained by the Texas Department of State Health Services, and the county office can help you get what you need whether you come in person, send a request by mail, or use an online ordering service.
Burleson County Overview
Burleson County Clerk and Death Records
The Burleson County Clerk acts as the local registrar for all vital records, including deaths. When a person dies in Burleson County, the death certificate is filed with this office. The clerk keeps records from 1903 forward. Marriage records and land records go back to 1846 when the county was formed from Washington and Milam counties. For death records specifically, 1903 is the official start date set by Texas law. The clerk also has some delayed registration records that may predate 1903 in limited cases.
The office is in Caldwell, the county seat. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call ahead at 979-567-2329 to confirm hours or ask about a specific record before you make the trip. Staff can search by the name of the deceased and give you information on what is available. In-person visits let you get certified copies the same day in most cases.
| Office | Burleson County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 W. Buck St., Caldwell, TX 77836 |
| Phone | 979-567-2329 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.burleson.tx.us |
The Burleson County website at co.burleson.tx.us has contact information and may have forms you can download before your visit. For statewide online ordering, the Texas DSHS online vital records portal is another option for records that qualify under the 25-year access rule.
How to Search Burleson County Death Records
You can search death records in Burleson County a few different ways. The simplest is to visit the clerk's office in Caldwell in person. Bring a valid photo ID and know the full name of the person and the approximate year of death. Staff can pull up the record and make certified copies while you wait. This is the fastest way to get what you need.
Mail requests are also accepted. Write a letter or fill out the state application form and send it with a copy of your ID and a check or money order for the fee. The state mail application form is available at the DSHS website. Mail requests take longer, usually a few weeks for processing and delivery. Make sure you include a return address and your daytime phone number in case there are questions.
For genealogy searches on older records, FamilySearch has digitized Texas death records that span parts of the 1903 to 1976 period. The Ancestry Texas Death Index is another strong resource for historical records. These online databases are free or subscription-based but can save you a trip to the courthouse for older research.
The Texas DSHS also has an online records ordering system for certified copies of recent records. You need to meet the qualified applicant requirements and have a valid ID ready to verify your identity. Processing typically runs 20 to 25 days for online orders.
Death Certificate Fees in Burleson County
The fee for a certified death certificate in Burleson County is $21 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $4. These fees follow the structure set by Texas Health and Safety Code Section 191.0045, which governs vital records fees across all Texas counties. The $21 breaks down as $20 for the certificate fee and $1 for the vital records archive fee.
If you order through the state DSHS system online, a service fee applies on top of the base cost. Mail orders sent to the county clerk use the same $21 rate. Cash, check, or money order are the typical payment methods at the clerk's office. Do not send cash in the mail. Always make checks payable to the Burleson County Clerk.
Note: Fees for verification of death facts are separate from a full certified copy. A verification just confirms basic details and costs slightly less. If you only need to confirm that a record exists, that may be a quicker and cheaper route.
Who Can Access Burleson County Death Records
Texas law limits access to death records less than 25 years old. Under Texas Government Code Section 552.115, recent death records are confidential and only available to qualified applicants. A qualified applicant is the registrant's immediate family member, including a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child. Legal representatives with proper documentation can also request records. The county clerk reviews each request and makes sure you meet the requirements before issuing a certified copy.
Records older than 25 years are generally open to the public. Anyone can request them without showing a family relationship. This makes the Burleson County Death Index a useful resource for genealogists and researchers working on older family lines. You still need to pay the fee and fill out a request form, but the family relationship requirement no longer applies.
If you do not qualify directly through the county, you can contact the state. The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Unit in Austin handles state-level records requests and can process applications when the local office cannot help. Their mailing address is P.O. Box 12040, Austin, TX 78711-2040, and the phone number is (888) 963-7111. See the acceptable ID requirements before you apply.
Burleson County Death Records and Genealogy
Burleson County was formed in 1846 and has records going back to the county's early days. For death records, the official start is 1903, but the county also has delayed registration records that can help fill in gaps. The county has Czech and German heritage, and many families in the area have deep roots stretching back generations. Death records can reveal names, dates, addresses, cause of death, and the names of informants, which is often a close family member.
The FamilySearch Texas Death Index is a good starting point for pre-1976 records. The Library of Congress guide to Texas vital records also has tips on finding historical documents. For records from 1903 onward, the county clerk's office holds the originals. Researchers doing serious genealogy work should plan a visit or write directly to the clerk. Probate records and marriage records maintained by the same office can round out a family history picture.
The DSHS local ordering guide explains how to request records through county offices across Texas, including Burleson County.
The Burleson County website screenshot below shows the county government homepage where you can find contact information for the clerk's office.
The county clerk's page lists office hours, phone numbers, and forms needed to request a death certificate.
Cities in Burleson County
Burleson County includes several small communities. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page, but all deaths in these communities are registered with the Burleson County Clerk in Caldwell. Communities include Caldwell, Somerville, Snook, Deanville, and Lyons.
Nearby Counties
Burleson County borders several other Texas counties. If a death occurred near the county line, it may be recorded in a neighboring county's office. Check with the correct county clerk to confirm which jurisdiction handled the registration.