McMullen County Obituary Records
McMullen County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Tilden, Texas. One of the least populated counties in Texas, McMullen County has vital records dating from 1903.
McMullen County Overview
McMullen County Clerk Death Records
The McMullen County Clerk's office in Tilden is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in McMullen 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.
McMullen County is one of the most sparsely populated counties in Texas, with very few permanent residents. Tilden is the tiny county seat in the South Texas brush country. Ranching and oil production are the main economic activities. Because of the county's remote location, the DSHS online system is by far the most practical way to order a death certificate from McMullen County.
| Office | McMullen County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 235, Tilden, TX 78072 |
| Phone | (361) 274-3215 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Searching McMullen County Obituaries
Order McMullen County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers McMullen 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 McMullen County residents. Due to the small population, neighboring county papers in Frio and La Salle counties often cover McMullen County obituaries.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers McMullen County death records from 1903. Online ordering is strongly recommended for this remote county.
Requesting McMullen County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: McMullen County Clerk, P.O. Box 235, Tilden, TX 78072. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical McMullen County Obituary Records
McMullen County death records from the early 1900s reflect a small ranching population in the South Texas brush country. The county was organized in 1877 and has never had a large population base. Early records document Hispanic ranching families with deep roots in the region alongside Anglo ranchers who came for the open range. The county's brush country terrain limited settlement. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with McMullen County entries. Researchers should also check La Salle and Frio county archives, as families often had ties across these neighboring counties.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains the statewide death record index that includes McMullen County entries from 1903 to the present.
The McMullen County Clerk in Tilden maintains death certificates and vital records for this remote South Texas county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and McMullen 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 McMullen County.
McMullen County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (361) 274-3215, 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
McMullen County is located in South Texas brush country between San Antonio and Laredo.