(d) If a death or fetal death occurs without medical attendance or is otherwise subject to Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, the person required to file the death or fetal death certificate shall notify the appropriate authority of the death.
(e) A person conducting an inquest required by Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, shall:
(1) complete the medical certification not later than five days after receiving the death or fetal death certificate; and
(2) state on the medical certification the disease that caused the death or, if the death was from external causes, the means of death and whether the death was probably accidental, suicidal, or homicidal, and any other information required by the state registrar to properly classify the death.
(f) If the identity of the decedent is unknown, the person conducting the inquest shall obtain and forward to the Department of Public Safety:
(1) the decedent's fingerprints;
(2) information concerning the decedent's hair color, eye color, height, weight, deformities, and tattoo marks; and
(3) other facts required for assistance in identifying the decedent.
(g) If the medical certification cannot be completed in a timely manner, the person required to complete the medical certification shall give the funeral director or the person acting as funeral director notice of the reason for the delay. Final disposition of the body may not be made unless specifically authorized by the person responsible for completing the medical certification.
(h) The person completing the medical certification shall submit the information and attest to its validity using an electronic process approved by the state registrar.
(i) On receipt of autopsy results or other information that would change the information in the medical certification on the death certificate, the appropriate certifier shall immediately report the change in a manner prescribed by the department to amend the death certificate.
(j) The death certificate of a decedent who was an inmate of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice at the time of death and who was lawfully executed shall classify the manner of death as death caused by judicially ordered execution.
Art. 49.16. ORDERS AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. The justice of the peace or other person who conducts an inquest under this subchapter shall sign the death certificate and all orders made as a necessary part of the inquest.
So with this being criminal, it’s possible there’s a lengthy delay. That’s my guess. Would wait another 30-45 days before trying again.
“ 1) complete the medical certification not later than five days after receiving the death or fetal death certificate”
The death certificate comes first. Which is required to be reported within ten days of the date of death. File the same thing I did and try and see what they say.
It seems that Texas does not consider death certificates public until they are over 25 years old. This information is restricted to “qualified applicants” only.
This relates to getting a copy of the certificate. I have no idea if they’d simply claim “someone by this name died on this date in this location” or if they would not. Although your return letter seems to indicate they found nothing; I’d assume they would send a letter telling you its restricted. But no experience trying it. I’m not a Texas resident so it automatically precludes me from trying.
(d) If a death or fetal death occurs without medical attendance or is otherwise subject to Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, the person required to file the death or fetal death certificate shall notify the appropriate authority of the death. (e) A person conducting an inquest required by Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, shall: (1) complete the medical certification not later than five days after receiving the death or fetal death certificate; and (2) state on the medical certification the disease that caused the death or, if the death was from external causes, the means of death and whether the death was probably accidental, suicidal, or homicidal, and any other information required by the state registrar to properly classify the death. (f) If the identity of the decedent is unknown, the person conducting the inquest shall obtain and forward to the Department of Public Safety: (1) the decedent's fingerprints; (2) information concerning the decedent's hair color, eye color, height, weight, deformities, and tattoo marks; and (3) other facts required for assistance in identifying the decedent. (g) If the medical certification cannot be completed in a timely manner, the person required to complete the medical certification shall give the funeral director or the person acting as funeral director notice of the reason for the delay. Final disposition of the body may not be made unless specifically authorized by the person responsible for completing the medical certification. (h) The person completing the medical certification shall submit the information and attest to its validity using an electronic process approved by the state registrar. (i) On receipt of autopsy results or other information that would change the information in the medical certification on the death certificate, the appropriate certifier shall immediately report the change in a manner prescribed by the department to amend the death certificate. (j) The death certificate of a decedent who was an inmate of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice at the time of death and who was lawfully executed shall classify the manner of death as death caused by judicially ordered execution.
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CR/htm/CR.49.htm#49
Art. 49.16. ORDERS AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. The justice of the peace or other person who conducts an inquest under this subchapter shall sign the death certificate and all orders made as a necessary part of the inquest.
So with this being criminal, it’s possible there’s a lengthy delay. That’s my guess. Would wait another 30-45 days before trying again.
“ 1) complete the medical certification not later than five days after receiving the death or fetal death certificate”
The death certificate comes first. Which is required to be reported within ten days of the date of death. File the same thing I did and try and see what they say.
It seems that Texas does not consider death certificates public until they are over 25 years old. This information is restricted to “qualified applicants” only.
This relates to getting a copy of the certificate. I have no idea if they’d simply claim “someone by this name died on this date in this location” or if they would not. Although your return letter seems to indicate they found nothing; I’d assume they would send a letter telling you its restricted. But no experience trying it. I’m not a Texas resident so it automatically precludes me from trying.
That’s why I filed for a record of death, which isn’t the same as a death certificate for legal reasons.