Houston County Obituary Records
Houston County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Crockett, Texas. Note that Houston County is a separate jurisdiction from Harris County (which contains the city of Houston). Located in East Texas between Lufkin and Huntsville, Houston County has vital records dating from 1903. This page explains the county clerk process and the resources available for this Pineywoods county.
Houston County Overview
Houston County Clerk Death Records
The Houston County Clerk's office in Crockett is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Houston 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.
Houston County is one of the oldest counties in Texas, named for Sam Houston before his death. Crockett is the county seat and the main commercial center for this Piney Woods county. The clerk's office handles property records, marriage records, and other county documents. The DSHS online system is a practical option for those outside the Crockett area who need certified death certificates.
| Office | Houston County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 370, Crockett, TX 75835 |
| Phone | (936) 544-3255 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.houston.tx.us |
Searching Houston County Obituaries
Order Houston County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Houston 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 Houston County Courier and area papers.
Note: Houston County (county seat: Crockett) is separate from Harris County (containing the city of Houston). Be sure to request records from the correct county clerk.
Requesting Houston County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Houston County Clerk, P.O. Box 370, Crockett, TX 75835. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Houston County Obituary Records
Houston County death records from the early 1900s reflect the timber and farming communities of the East Texas Piney Woods. The county has a rich history stretching back to early Texas settlement, and early records show a diverse population including African American families from Reconstruction-era freedmen communities. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Houston County entries. The Ellen Trout Library in Lufkin (Angelina County) also holds regional materials that can help with research for adjacent East Texas counties.
The Houston County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Crockett.
The Houston County Clerk in Crockett maintains death certificates and vital records for this East Texas Piney Woods county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Houston 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 Houston County.
Houston County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (936) 544-3255, 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
Houston County is located in East Texas in the Piney Woods region between Lufkin and Huntsville.