
Texas · 254 counties
Two things matter first: getting certified death certificates, and, if money is short, reaching the burial assistance program in the county where the death happened. Pick your county below for exact contacts.
The paperwork
Certified copies come from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section (official site).
Order online, by mail, or through the local county clerk where the death occurred. Most families need about 10 certified copies. Check the DSHS site for current fees.
Planning ahead
If someone you love is aging or ill, the cheapest protection your family can get is a power of attorney, and it must happen while they can still sign. We cover Texas's exact rules and official forms.
Texas power of attorney rulesPick your county