Search Kleberg County Obituary Records

Kleberg County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Kingsville, Texas. Located in South Texas between Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley, Kleberg County has vital records dating from 1903.

Kleberg County Clerk Death Records

The Kleberg County Clerk's office in Kingsville is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Kleberg 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.

Kleberg County is closely linked to the history of the King Ranch, the legendary cattle operation that covers much of the surrounding area. Kingsville was founded in 1904 as a railroad town on King Ranch land and grew into the county's main population center. Texas A&M University-Kingsville brings additional residents and academic resources to the area. The clerk's office handles property records, marriage records, and other county documents. The DSHS online system is a convenient option for ordering certified death certificates from Kleberg County without a trip to Kingsville.

Searching Kleberg County Obituaries

Order Kleberg County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Kleberg 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 Kingsville Record and area papers. The King Ranch Museum and archives in Kingsville also hold historical materials relevant to families associated with the ranch.

Requesting Kleberg County Death Certificates

Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Kleberg County Clerk, P.O. Box 1327, Kingsville, TX 78364. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.

Historical Kleberg County Obituary Records

Kleberg County death records from the early 1900s reflect the ranching and railroad communities of South Texas. The county was created in 1913 from Nueces County, and Kingsville developed quickly as a railroad and ranching hub. Hispanic families have long been a significant part of the county's population, and early records document both long-established tejano families and newer arrivals. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Kleberg County entries. The South Texas Archives at Texas A&M University-Kingsville hold genealogical materials for this region.

The Kleberg County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Kingsville.

The Kleberg County Clerk in Kingsville maintains death certificates and vital records for this South Texas county from 1903 forward.

Texas Law and Kleberg 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 Kleberg County.

Kleberg County Obituary Resources

Contact the clerk at (361) 595-8548, 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

Kleberg County is located in South Texas between Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley.