King County Obituary Records
King County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Guthrie, Texas. One of the smallest counties by population in the United States, King County has vital records dating from 1903.
King County Overview
King County Clerk Death Records
The King County Clerk's office in Guthrie is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in King 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.
King County is one of the least populated counties in Texas, with fewer than 300 residents. Guthrie is a small ranching community that serves as the county seat. The county is dominated by large ranches, most notably the 6666 (Four Sixes) Ranch, one of the most famous cattle operations in Texas history. Because of the county's extremely small population and remote location, the DSHS online system is the practical choice for ordering a certified death certificate.
| Office | King County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 27, Guthrie, TX 79236 |
| Phone | (806) 596-4412 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Searching King County Obituaries
Order King County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers King 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 may carry obituary notices for King County residents. Given the county's tiny population, records may also appear in neighboring Haskell and Knox county newspaper archives.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers King County death records from 1903. Online ordering is strongly recommended for this remote county.
Requesting King County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: King County Clerk, P.O. Box 27, Guthrie, TX 79236. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical King County Obituary Records
King County death records from the early 1900s reflect one of Texas's most purely ranching-based communities. The county was organized in 1891, and the 6666 Ranch has shaped its history ever since. Early death records document ranch hands, foremen, and their families. Given the small population, each death certificate represents a significant portion of the community's history. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with King County entries. Researchers should also check records from neighboring Knox and Cottle counties, as families in this area often had ties across county lines.
The King County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Guthrie.
The King County Clerk in Guthrie maintains death certificates and vital records for this remote West Texas county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and King 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 King County.
King County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (806) 596-4412, order online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov, search at FamilySearch and the Texas State Library at tsl.texas.gov. Obituaries appear on Legacy.com.
Nearby Counties
King County is located in the Rolling Plains of West Texas, one of the most sparsely populated areas in the state.