Sterling County Obituary Records
Sterling County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Sterling City, Texas. Located in West Texas on the North Concho River, Sterling County has vital records dating from 1903.
Sterling County Overview
Sterling County Clerk Death Records
The Sterling County Clerk's office in Sterling City is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Sterling 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.
Sterling County is one of the most sparsely populated counties in Texas. Sterling City is the only town and county seat. The county lies on the Edwards Plateau in West Texas, and ranching -- primarily sheep, goats, and cattle -- is the main economic activity. Wind energy has become a significant secondary industry given the county's open terrain and consistent winds. The DSHS online system is the most practical option for death certificate requests given Sterling City's remote location.
| Office | Sterling County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 117, Sterling City, TX 76951 |
| Phone | (325) 378-5191 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.sterling.tx.us |
Searching Sterling County Obituaries
Order Sterling County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Sterling 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 area West Texas papers.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers Sterling County death records from 1903. Online ordering is strongly recommended for this remote West Texas county.
Requesting Sterling County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Sterling County Clerk, P.O. Box 117, Sterling City, TX 76951. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Sterling County Obituary Records
Sterling County death records from the early 1900s document ranching families who settled the Edwards Plateau after the frontier era ended. The county was organized in 1891. Sheep and goat ranching suited the thin-soiled limestone terrain better than crops, and the county developed as ranch country from the outset. Given the extremely small and stable population, each death record in the early years is a significant piece of local genealogical history. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Sterling County entries. Cemetery records in Sterling City and at ranch burial grounds provide additional genealogy data.
The Sterling County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Sterling City.
The Sterling County Clerk in Sterling City maintains death certificates and vital records for this remote West Texas county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Sterling 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 Sterling County.
Sterling County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (325) 378-5191, 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
Sterling County is located in West Texas on the Edwards Plateau.