Midland County Death Index

Midland County death records are maintained by the County Clerk in Midland, Texas. This page covers how to search the Midland County Death Index, get certified death certificates, and access historical records going back to 1903.

Midland County Clerk Death Index Records

The Midland County Clerk's office in Midland is the local vital records registrar for the county. The clerk maintains all death certificates filed in Midland County from 1903 to the present. Midland is the county seat and the largest city in the county, and the clerk's office handles a high volume of requests given the county's growing population. Staff can search the death index by name and issue certified copies in person.

In-person service is the fastest route. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID and the correct fee. Mail requests are also accepted. Fill out the VS-142 Death Certificate Application from DSHS, include a photocopy of your ID, and send a check or money order payable to the Midland County Clerk. Mail the packet to the county courthouse in Midland. Call the office for the exact mailing address and to confirm current hours before sending.

The state DSHS office in Austin also accepts requests. Online ordering is available at txapps.texas.gov. State orders are mailed to you from Austin and take 20 to 30 business days. For most Midland County residents, going through the county clerk is faster and more straightforward.

The Midland County website provides access to county government information, including contact details for the county clerk's office where Midland County death records are maintained.

The county clerk's office contact information, address, and any available online services can be found through the official Midland County government website.

Death Certificate Fees in Midland County

Midland County charges $21.00 for the first certified copy of a death certificate. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $4.00. These fees are fixed by Texas law and apply at every county clerk office in the state. Midland County follows the same schedule as all other Texas counties.

The state DSHS office in Austin charges $20.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record. Both the county and state copies are legally valid certified documents. In-person county service can often fulfill your request the same day. State orders take 20 to 30 business days and are mailed to you. For most purposes, the county clerk in Midland is the faster and more convenient choice.

Search fees are not refunded if a record is not found. Texas law requires the fee regardless of the search outcome. Provide as much detail as possible on your request form to help the clerk find the right record and avoid a failed search fee.

Who Can Access Midland County Death Records

Texas limits access to death certificates less than 25 years old. Only immediate family members can get a certified copy during that restricted period. Texas law defines immediate family as a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or grandparent. Legal representatives with proper documentation can also request records. Anyone making a request must show a valid government-issued photo ID.

After 25 years from the death date, the record becomes public under Texas Government Code Section 552.115. Any person can then request a certified copy without showing a family connection. The DSHS acceptable ID list specifies the forms of ID the clerk will accept for all requesters. Making a false statement to get a death certificate is a felony under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 195, with penalties including up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Note: Midland County is a busy office due to the city's large population. If you are not an immediate family member and the death is less than 25 years old, the clerk will not issue a certified copy regardless of your reason for needing it.

Historical Midland County Death Records

Midland County death records go back to 1903. The county grew significantly in the 20th century with the oil and gas industry, and the death index reflects that population growth. All records older than 25 years are public and searchable. The FamilySearch Texas Death Index covers 1903 to 2000 and is free. The Ancestry Texas Death Index covers the same range. Both are index databases that show name, death date, county, and certificate number. Once you identify a record, you request the certified copy from the county clerk or state office.

For records from 1903 to 1973, the Texas State Library in Austin holds microfilmed death indexes. These are open for public research visits. The Texas State Library and Archives is a good backup when online databases fall short. Given Midland's Permian Basin location, some early records may be tied to individuals who moved frequently between Midland and neighboring Ector or Martin counties. If you can't find a record in Midland County, checking those adjacent counties is worth doing. The Library of Congress Texas vital records guide covers how the statewide system works for researchers at all experience levels.

The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics unit sets the statewide rules that the Midland County Clerk follows when issuing death certificates, including access restrictions, fees, and ID requirements.

All Midland County death certificates are issued under the same state standards that apply at every county clerk's office across Texas.

Cities in Midland County

Midland is the county seat and the only major city in Midland County. It is also one of the larger cities in West Texas. Death records for all areas of the county are filed with the Midland County Clerk in the city of Midland.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Midland County in the Permian Basin region of West Texas. If you are uncertain which county a death was registered in, contact the clerks in these neighboring counties.

Ector County • Martin County • Glasscock County • Upton County • Andrews County