Fisher County Death Index

Fisher County death records are kept by the County Clerk in Roby and by the Texas Department of State Health Services. You can search the Fisher County Death Index to find records of people who died in the county going back to 1903. Requests can be made in person at the courthouse, by mail, or online through the state vital records system. This page explains how to find Fisher County death records, what the fees are, who can request them, and where to look for older historical records.

Fisher County Clerk and Death Records

The Fisher County Clerk holds death records for events that occurred within the county. This office is the local custodian for vital records and can issue certified copies of death certificates to qualified applicants. The clerk's office is in Roby, which is the county seat. Staff can help you search for a record and process your request during normal business hours.

Death records in Fisher County date back to 1903 in many cases, though coverage in the early years may be incomplete. The county clerk maintains these records alongside other vital documents like birth and marriage records. For recent deaths, the county clerk typically has the record on file within a few weeks of the event. Older records from the 1900s to around 1926 may only be available at the county level.

You can also order death records from the state. Texas DSHS Vital Statistics handles statewide requests. Their office keeps records from 1903 forward. Use Order Records Locally to find the nearest county office if you prefer to pick up your copy in person.

How to Search Fisher County Death Records

There are three ways to search Fisher County death records: online through the state, by mail, or in person at the county clerk's office. Each method works well depending on what you need and how fast you need it.

The fastest way to start is online. Texas DSHS runs the Online Vital Records Application for certified copies. You fill out a form, upload a copy of your ID, and pay by credit card. Processing takes about 20 to 25 business days. This system covers death records from 1964 to the present. For records before 1964, you need to go through the county clerk or send a mail request to DSHS.

Mail requests go to the state office at P.O. Box 12040, Austin TX 78711-2040. Use the Mail Application for Death Record (VS-142) form. Send a copy of your ID and a money order or check. Mail requests take about 25 to 30 business days. You can also mail or visit the Fisher County Clerk directly for county-held records.

In person is the quickest way to get a certified copy. Visit the county clerk in Roby. Bring a valid photo ID and the correct fee. The clerk can often process same-day requests when the office is not busy.

Death Certificate Fees in Fisher County

Death certificate fees in Fisher County follow the state schedule. The first certified copy costs $21. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $4. These fees apply whether you request through the county clerk or through the state DSHS office.

The $21 fee breaks down as follows: $20 goes toward the base certificate fee under Texas Administrative Code, and $1 is a Vital Records Preservation Fee under Health and Safety Code. The state adds this preservation fee to all vital record transactions. Payment methods at the county level often include cash, check, or money order. The online state system accepts credit cards.

Note: Fee waivers may be available for active military members being deployed to hostile fire zones under Texas Government Code 437.217.

Who Can Access Fisher County Death Records

Texas law keeps death records confidential for 25 years after the date of death. After that period, records become public and anyone can request them. For deaths within the past 25 years, only certain people qualify.

Qualified applicants for restricted Fisher County death records include the immediate family of the person who died. This means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or grandparent. Legal representatives acting on behalf of a family member also qualify. You must show a valid photo ID with your request. The state lists acceptable forms of identification at DSHS Acceptable ID.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 191.051, vital records are confidential during the restricted period. Researchers, attorneys, and others with a documented need may still request records with the right paperwork. For deaths that are over 25 years old, no special relationship is needed. These older Fisher County death records are open to the public.

Fisher County Death Records for Historical Research

Older death records from Fisher County are available through several genealogy platforms. These are useful for researchers tracing family lines or studying local history. Many records from the early 1900s through the mid-20th century have been digitized and indexed.

Ancestry.com holds the Texas Death Index, which covers deaths from 1964 through 1998. This free-to-search index includes names, death dates, and county of death. FamilySearch has the Texas Deaths, 1890-1976 collection, which can be searched at no cost. Both platforms let you search by name, date range, and county.

The Library of Congress offers a Texas local history and genealogy guide with links to other finding aids and archival sources. For the earliest Fisher County records, the county courthouse in Roby may have ledgers and registers that predate the state registration system.

The Texas Open Records Act under Texas Government Code Chapter 552 governs access to public records. Death records that have passed the 25-year window fall under this framework and can be requested by anyone.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics office manages statewide death records and handles requests for Fisher County and all other Texas counties.

Fisher County residents can order certified death certificates through this portal or by contacting the county clerk in Roby.

Cities in Fisher County

Fisher County is a small rural county in West Texas. Roby is the county seat and the largest community. No cities in Fisher County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page.

All death records for communities in Fisher County, including Roby and Rotan, are handled through the Fisher County Clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

Fisher County borders several other West Texas counties. If you are searching for records and are not sure which county a death occurred in, check these neighboring counties as well.