Howard County Obituary Records
Howard County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Big Spring, Texas. Located in West Texas between Midland and Abilene, Howard County has vital records dating from 1903. Whether you need a certified death certificate, want to find obituary notices from Big Spring, or trace family history in this region, this page covers the county clerk process and the available resources.
Howard County Overview
Howard County Clerk Death Records
The Howard County Clerk's office in Big Spring is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Howard 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.
Big Spring serves as both the county seat and the largest city in Howard County. The city has a mix of agricultural, oil and gas, and military-related economy with the nearby Webb Air Force Base history. The clerk's office handles property records, marriage records, and other county documents. The DSHS online system is a convenient option for certified death certificate requests.
| Office | Howard County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 1468, Big Spring, TX 79721 |
| Phone | (432) 264-2223 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.howard.tx.us |
Searching Howard County Obituaries
Order Howard County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Howard 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 Big Spring Herald and area papers.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers Howard County death records from 1903. Online ordering avoids a trip to the Big Spring courthouse.
Requesting Howard County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Howard County Clerk, P.O. Box 1468, Big Spring, TX 79721. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Howard County Obituary Records
Howard County death records from the early 1900s reflect the ranching and later oil production communities of West Texas. Big Spring developed as a railroad town and grew substantially after oil was discovered in the Permian Basin. Early death certificates often document the diverse workforce that came to the region from across the United States. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Howard County entries. The Heritage Museum of Big Spring holds local historical materials including newspaper archives useful for obituary research.
The Howard County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Big Spring.
The Howard County Clerk in Big Spring maintains death certificates and vital records for this West Texas county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Howard 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 Howard County.
Howard County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (432) 264-2223, 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
Howard County is located in West Texas between Midland and Abilene on the Permian Basin.