Search Burnet County Death Records

Burnet County death records have been filed with the County Clerk since 1903. This Texas Hill Country county keeps all vital records at the courthouse in Burnet, and the clerk's office processes requests for certified copies by phone, mail, or in-person visit. Whether you are doing genealogy research or need a certified copy of a death certificate, this page covers what you need to know about the Burnet County Death Index and how to access it through the county or through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Burnet County Clerk and Death Records

The Burnet County Clerk is the local registrar for death records. Every death that occurs within the county lines gets registered here, and the clerk keeps those records on file going back to 1903. The office is in Burnet, the county seat. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The main phone number is 512-756-5406. Staff can look up a record by name and year of death and tell you what is available before you pay any fees.

Burnet County was created in 1852 from Bell, Travis, and Williamson counties. It sits in the Texas Hill Country near the Highland Lakes area. Marriage records and probate records go back to 1852, but death records begin at 1903 in line with the state requirement. If you need something older than 1903, genealogy databases or the state archives may have partial records. The county website at burnetcounty.org has information about the clerk's office and available services.

How to Search Burnet County Death Records

The easiest way to search Burnet County death records is to visit the clerk's office in person. You need a valid photo ID and basic information about the deceased, including their full name and approximate date or year of death. Staff can search the index and pull the record. If a certified copy is available, they can print it while you wait. This is the fastest route for recent records.

Mail requests also work. Download and complete the state death record application form, have it notarized if required, and mail it with a copy of your ID and the correct fee to the Burnet County Clerk. Include a return address and a daytime phone number. Mail processing takes longer than in-person requests, often two to four weeks depending on volume.

For older records, the FamilySearch Texas Death Index covers many records from 1903 to 1976. The Ancestry Texas Death Index is another option with broad historical coverage. These are free or subscription-based tools that can help you narrow down a record before contacting the county. The Texas DSHS online ordering portal handles state-level certified copy orders for qualifying applicants.

Death Certificate Fees in Burnet County

Burnet County charges $21 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $4. The fee structure follows Texas Health and Safety Code Section 191.0045, which applies statewide. The $21 breaks into $20 for the record fee and $1 for the vital records archive preservation fee. These fees are non-refundable even if no record is found.

Pay by cash, check, or money order at the counter. If you are mailing a request, use a check or money order made out to the Burnet County Clerk. Do not mail cash. If you order through the Texas.gov vital records portal, additional service fees apply on top of the base cost. Check the current fee schedule before you send payment since fees can change slightly year to year.

Who Can Access Burnet County Death Records

Death records filed within the last 25 years are restricted under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Only qualified applicants can get certified copies. A qualified applicant is an immediate family member of the deceased: spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child. A legal representative with proper documents, like a guardian or power of attorney, also qualifies. You must present a valid government-issued photo ID when you apply. See the DSHS acceptable ID list for what counts.

Records more than 25 years old are open to the public. Anyone can request them without showing a family connection. You still pay the fee and fill out a request form. This makes the older portions of the Burnet County Death Index available to genealogists and historians with no special requirements beyond the standard paperwork and payment.

If you are unsure whether you qualify for a recent record, call the clerk at 512-756-5406 and ask before you submit a written request. You can also reach the state at (888) 963-7111 or review the DSHS mailing addresses page for state-level requests.

Burnet County Death Records and Genealogy

Burnet County has a long record history starting from its formation in 1852. The county was named for David G. Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas. Death records from 1903 forward are the main source for genealogists tracking families in this part of the Hill Country. Many families in the area have German and Anglo heritage dating back to the mid-1800s. Death certificates list cause of death, birthplace, parents' names, and the name of the informant, all useful details for tracing a family line.

The FamilySearch Texas Death Index is a good free tool for early records. The Library of Congress Texas genealogy guide lists other resources for vital records research. For records tied to the state archives, contact the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. For anything held at the county level, write or visit the Burnet County Clerk directly. The clerk also maintains probate and land records that can add context to a family history search.

The DSHS local records ordering page explains the full process for ordering through county offices in Texas.

Cities in Burnet County

Burnet County includes several communities in the Highland Lakes region. None currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. Main communities include Burnet, Marble Falls, Llano Lake area, and Lampasas River communities. All death records from these areas are filed with the Burnet County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

Burnet County sits in central Texas and shares borders with several nearby counties. If a death occurred near a county line, it may have been filed in a neighboring jurisdiction. Confirm with the right county clerk before submitting a records request.