The county clerk cannot issue death records for Arlington (1971 to present) or Grapevine (1973 to present). Those go to the city. The county is registrar for 28 cities and eight precincts otherwise. Confirm the place of death before you stand in line.
Who may request
Immediate family: mother, father, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, or child. A grandchild cannot obtain a grandparent's record without proof of a direct tangible need. Also a legal guardian, legal representative of the family, or an organization or government agency with a direct tangible need.
What to bring
Current government-issued picture ID: driver license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or visa. If that is not available, a notarized affidavit from a person given specific permission, plus that person's ID. Third-party affidavits are not accepted.
Where to write or visit
Tarrant County Plaza Building, 200 Taylor Street, 3rd Floor, Fort Worth, TX 76196. Phone 817-884-1550. Mail and in-person rules are on the county vital-records pages.
Notes from the desk
First copy $21, additional copies of the same record $4 when ordered together. Texas DSHS extras are $3. Order extras on the first request. Online orders go through VitalChek. This desk takes no cut.