Find Somervell County Obituary Records
Somervell County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Glen Rose, Texas. Located in North Central Texas along the Paluxy River, Somervell County has vital records dating from 1903.
Somervell County Overview
Somervell County Clerk Death Records
The Somervell County Clerk's office in Glen Rose is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Somervell 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.
Somervell County is one of the smallest counties in Texas by area and population. Glen Rose is the county seat, known for its dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River and the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. The Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, located in the county, has been a significant economic presence since the 1990s. Tourism and the nuclear plant support the local economy. The DSHS online system is available for certified death certificate requests from Somervell County.
| Office | Somervell County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 1098, Glen Rose, TX 76043 |
| Phone | (254) 897-4427 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Searching Somervell County Obituaries
Order Somervell County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Somervell 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 Glen Rose Reporter and area papers.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers Somervell County death records from 1903. Online ordering avoids a trip to the Glen Rose courthouse.
Requesting Somervell County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Somervell County Clerk, P.O. Box 1098, Glen Rose, TX 76043. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Somervell County Obituary Records
Somervell County death records from the early 1900s reflect a small farming and ranching community along the Paluxy River valley. The county was created in 1875 and named for General Alexander Somervell, a Texas Republic military figure. Glen Rose developed as a small county seat with mineral springs that drew visitors seeking health cures -- the town had a modest reputation as a health resort in the early 20th century. Early records document farming families who worked the river valley land. The dinosaur tracks preserved in the Paluxy riverbed were unknown as a tourist attraction until later in the 20th century. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Somervell County entries.
The Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Section maintains the statewide death record index that includes Somervell County entries from 1903 to the present.
The Somervell County Clerk in Glen Rose maintains death certificates and vital records for this North Central Texas county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Somervell 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 Somervell County.
Somervell County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (254) 897-4427, 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
Somervell County is located in North Central Texas along the Paluxy River.