Hockley County Obituary Records
Hockley County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Levelland, Texas. Located on the South Plains northwest of Lubbock, Hockley County has vital records dating from 1903. Whether you need a certified death certificate, want to search obituary notices from Levelland, or trace family history in this agricultural county, this page explains the county clerk process and the resources available.
Hockley County Overview
Hockley County Clerk Death Records
The Hockley County Clerk's office in Levelland is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Hockley 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.
Hockley County is a major agricultural county on the South Plains, known for cotton and oil production. Levelland serves as the county seat and home to South Plains College. The clerk handles property records, marriage records, and other county documents. The DSHS online system is a convenient option for those who cannot travel to Levelland.
| Office | Hockley County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 299, Levelland, TX 79336 |
| Phone | (806) 894-8525 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.hockley.tx.us |
Searching Hockley County Obituaries
Order Hockley County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Hockley 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 Levelland and Hockley County News-Press and area papers.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers Hockley County death records from 1903. Online ordering avoids a trip to the Levelland courthouse.
Requesting Hockley County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Hockley County Clerk, P.O. Box 299, Levelland, TX 79336. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Hockley County Obituary Records
Hockley County death records from the early 1900s reflect the farming communities that settled the South Plains after the railroad arrived. Cotton farming transformed the region, and later oil discoveries brought additional population growth. Early certificates often list birthplaces across the South and Midwest. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Hockley County entries. Local cemeteries in and around Levelland maintain burial records that complement official death certificates for genealogy research.
The Hockley County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Levelland.
The Hockley County Clerk in Levelland maintains death certificates and vital records for this South Plains county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Hockley 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 Hockley County.
Hockley County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (806) 894-8525, 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
Hockley County is located on the South Plains of Texas northwest of Lubbock.