All the things a death certificate is needed for in Texas

HOUSTON – The death of a loved one never comes easy, not only do you mourn the loss of this person, but so many other timely tasks are needing to be handled along with funeral arrangements.

One of the most important requirements after a person’s death is obtaining a death certificate.

But why?

According to KRIEG Houston, a death certificate obtains essential information about the deceased person, such as name, date, place of death, gender, race, martial status and last address. It will also have the cause of death, details about the hospital or institution where they died, their birth details, parent’s names and their parents’ birth places. It records the date and place of burial or cremation.

It serves as an official certificate of that person’s death to help the survivors access the deceased accounts, claim life insurance proceeds or arrange for burial or creation.

The death certificate is typically shared with the decedent’s bank, financial institutions, insurance providers, the funeral home, and the appointed person to administer the probate estate.

According to Neptune Society, establishments that may require a death certificate without the cause of death may include trusts, investments in stocks, bonds, 401K, and the IRA, a transfer of vehicles, a property transfer, banks, credit unions, income tax, attorneys, cell phone contracts, and qualifying for “bereavement time” with employers.

How long does it take?

In Texas, a death certificate is usually filed within 10 days of a person’s death. The timeframe varies based on questions surrounding the cause of death or if an autopsy or further investigation is needed.

According to KRIEG Houston, once the death certificate is issued, it will be obtained through your county clerk’s office in the county of the deceased’s residence or the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. If requested directly from the state, the certificate can take between 4-6 weeks to arrive.