Find Van Zandt County Obituary Records
Van Zandt County death records and obituaries are maintained by the County Clerk in Canton, Texas. Located in Northeast Texas east of Dallas, Van Zandt County has vital records dating from 1903.
Van Zandt County Overview
Van Zandt County Clerk Death Records
The Van Zandt County Clerk's office in Canton is the local registrar for vital records. Death certificates for events occurring in Van Zandt 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.
Van Zandt County lies in the Post Oak Belt of Northeast Texas, east of the Dallas metropolitan area. Canton is the county seat and is well known for First Monday Trade Days, one of the oldest and largest flea markets in the United States held the weekend before the first Monday of each month. The county has seen population growth as a bedroom community for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Agriculture -- primarily cattle, hay, and timber -- and small manufacturing round out the economy. The DSHS online system is available for certified death certificate requests.
| Office | Van Zandt County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | P.O. Box 769, Canton, TX 75103 |
| Phone | (903) 567-6521 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.van-zandt.tx.us |
Searching Van Zandt County Obituaries
Order Van Zandt County death certificates online at ovra.txapps.texas.gov. The DSHS statewide index covers Van Zandt 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 Canton Herald and area papers.
Note: The DSHS statewide index covers Van Zandt County death records from 1903. Online ordering avoids a trip to the Canton courthouse.
Requesting Van Zandt County Death Certificates
Mail a completed application, notarized signature, copy of your photo ID, and a check or money order for $21 to: Van Zandt County Clerk, P.O. Box 769, Canton, TX 75103. Additional copies are $4 each. State requests go through dshs.texas.gov/vs. Requirements are at dshs.texas.gov/vs/requirements.aspx.
Historical Van Zandt County Obituary Records
Van Zandt County death records from the early 1900s reflect the farming families who settled this part of Northeast Texas. The county was organized in 1848 and named for Isaac Van Zandt, a Texas Republic statesman. Early settlers came from the Southern states to farm cotton and raise livestock in the post oak and blackland soils. The county developed a close-knit agricultural society that persisted well into the 20th century. Trade days in Canton have drawn visitors from across the state for over 150 years, making Canton a known destination in the region. The Texas State Library holds microfilm of early county vital records. FamilySearch has indexed Texas death collections with Van Zandt County entries.
The Van Zandt County Clerk's website provides information on vital records requests and county services in Canton.
The Van Zandt County Clerk in Canton maintains death certificates and vital records for this Northeast Texas county from 1903 forward.
Texas Law and Van Zandt 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 Van Zandt County.
Van Zandt County Obituary Resources
Contact the clerk at (903) 567-6521, 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
Van Zandt County is located in Northeast Texas east of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.