Mason County Obituary Records
Mason County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Mason, Texas. Located in the Texas Hill Country, Mason County has vital records dating from 1903.
Mason County Overview
Mason County Clerk Death Records
The Mason County Clerk's office in Mason is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Mason 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.
Mason County is in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin. The county seat of Mason sits at the intersection of several Hill Country roads. The area has a strong German heritage and is known for topaz gemstone deposits, making it a minor tourist destination. Ranching and deer hunting are major economic activities. The DSHS online system is a practical option for certified death certificate requests without driving to the Mason courthouse.
| Office | Mason County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 702, Mason, TX 76856 |
| Phone | (325) 347-5253 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Searching Mason County Obituaries
Order Mason County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Mason 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 from the Mason County News. The Mason County Historical Society holds materials useful for genealogy in this Hill Country county.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers Mason County death records from 1903. Online ordering avoids a trip to the Mason courthouse.
Requesting Mason County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Mason County Clerk, P.O. Box 702, Mason, TX 76856. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Mason County Obituary Records
Mason County death records from the early 1900s reflect the German immigrant communities that shaped the Hill Country. German settlers came to Mason County in the 1840s and 1850s, and many families maintained German-language communities well into the 20th century. Early death records often show German surnames and sometimes German-language entries. The county was also the site of the Mason County War of the 1870s, a conflict between cattle rangers and newly arrived settlers. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Mason County entries. The Mason County Historical Museum holds local materials for genealogy research.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains the statewide death record index that includes Mason County entries from 1903 to the present.
The Mason County Clerk in Mason maintains death certificates and vital records for this Hill Country county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Mason 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 Mason County.
Mason County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (325) 347-5253, 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
Mason County is located in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin.