Hale County Obituary Records
Hale County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Plainview, Texas. Located on the South Plains northwest of Lubbock, Hale County has vital records dating from 1903. Whether you need a certified death certificate, want to search obituary notices from Plainview, or trace family history for someone who died in this region, this page explains the county clerk process and the resources available.
Hale County Overview
Hale County Clerk Death Records
The Hale County Clerk's office in Plainview is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Hale County from 1903 to the present are held here. The clerk accepts in-person and mail requests. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 193, records less than 25 years old require qualified applicant status. Records 25 years or older are open to the public.
Hale County is a major agricultural county on the South Plains known for cotton farming. Plainview serves as the commercial center for surrounding communities. The clerk handles property records, marriage records, and other county documents. For those outside Plainview, the DSHS online system is a convenient option for ordering certified death certificates.
| Office | Hale County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 870, Plainview, TX 79073 |
| Phone | (806) 291-5213 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | halecounty.org |
Searching Hale County Obituaries
Order Hale County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Hale County from 1903. For genealogy, FamilySearch at familysearch.org and the Texas State Library at tsl.texas.gov are the main free resources. Legacy.com at legacy.com carries obituary notices from the Plainview Daily Herald and area papers.
Note: The DSHS statewide death index covers Hale County from 1903. Online ordering is often faster than mailing a request to Plainview.
Requesting Hale County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Hale County Clerk, P.O. Box 870, Plainview, TX 79073. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Hale County Obituary Records
Hale County death records from the early 1900s reflect the agricultural development of the South Plains following railroad expansion. Cotton farming brought many families to this part of Texas in the early 20th century. Early certificates often list a person's birthplace, occupation, and place of burial. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Hale County entries. Local cemeteries in Plainview and surrounding communities maintain burial records that complement official death certificates.
The Hale County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Plainview.
The Hale County Clerk in Plainview maintains death certificates and vital records for this South Plains county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Hale 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 Hale County.
Hale County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (806) 291-5213, 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
Hale County is located on the South Plains of Texas northwest of Lubbock.