Erath County Obituary Records
Erath County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Stephenville, Texas. Located in the Cross Timbers region southwest of Fort Worth, Erath County has vital records dating from 1903. Whether you need to request a certified death certificate, search obituary notices from Stephenville, or trace family history in this North Central Texas county, this page explains the county clerk process and the online resources available.
Erath County Overview
Erath County Clerk Death Records
The Erath County Clerk's office in Stephenville is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Erath County from 1903 to the present are held here. The clerk processes requests in person and by mail. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 193, records less than 25 years old require qualified applicant status. Records older than 25 years are open to the public.
Stephenville is home to Tarleton State University, and the county has a strong agricultural heritage. The clerk's website at co.erath.tx.us provides current information on vital records services and office hours.
| Office | Erath County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 1381, Stephenville, TX 76401 |
| Phone | (254) 965-1482 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.erath.tx.us |
Searching Erath County Obituaries
Order Erath County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. For genealogy research, FamilySearch at familysearch.org has indexed Texas death records with entries for this region. The Texas State Library at tsl.texas.gov holds microfilm of early county vital records. Recent obituaries from the Stephenville Empire-Tribune appear on Legacy.com at legacy.com.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers Erath County death records from 1903. Online ordering is available without contacting the county clerk directly.
Requesting Erath County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Erath County Clerk, P.O. Box 1381, Stephenville, TX 76401. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Erath County Obituary Records
Erath County death records from the early 1900s reflect the cattle ranching and dairy farming heritage of the Cross Timbers. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections covering Erath County. The Stephenville Public Library and Tarleton State University archives hold local historical materials and newspaper archives useful for genealogy research in this North Central Texas county.
The Erath County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Stephenville.
The Erath County Clerk in Stephenville maintains death certificates and vital records for this North Central Texas county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Erath County Death Records
Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 193.003, death certificates must be filed within 10 days. Records under 25 years are restricted per Chapter 193. Older records are public. Section 193.007 covers delayed registration. The DSHS at dshs.texas.gov/vs/death maintains the statewide index including Erath County.
Erath County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (254) 965-1482, order online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov, search at FamilySearch and the Texas State Library at tsl.texas.gov. Recent obituaries appear on Legacy.com.
Nearby Counties
Erath County is located in North Central Texas southwest of Fort Worth in the Cross Timbers region.