After losing someone in Dallas: records, your family's rights, and finding a wrongful death attorney

Last checked November 8, 2026

We are sorry you are here. In Texas, a wrongful death claim belongs to the surviving spouse, children and parents, and a lawsuit must generally be filed within two years of the date of death.12 If the City of Dallas may be involved, written notice is due within six months.34

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Road map of Dallas showing North Stemmons Freeway, where the Dallas County Medical Examiner's office is located
Texas wrongful death: spouse, children, parents; generally 2 years. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

What should my family do first after a death in Dallas?

There is no rush to decide anything today. Most of what needs doing can wait a little while. Take care of each other first, and let someone you trust help with the phone calls. When you are ready, this page can help you find the records and understand the time limits.

A few things are worth doing early because they get harder to find later. Keep any letters from insurance companies without signing them. Save photos, text messages, clothing and belongings. If an adjuster calls, it is fine to say you are not ready to talk.

Where do I get a death certificate in Dallas?

It depends on where your loved one died, and Dallas has two offices. For a death inside the Dallas city limits, go to the city's Vital Statistics office.5 The county clerk says the same.6

Where the death happenedOfficeDetails
Inside Dallas city limitsCity of Dallas Vital Statistics1515 Young Street, 1st Floor. (214) 670-3092.7
Elsewhere in Dallas CountyCounty Clerk, Vital Records500 Elm Street, Suite 2100. (214) 653-7099.8 $21 for the first copy and $4 for each extra copy ordered at the same time.9

Order several copies at once. Banks, insurers and courts will each want one. We could not confirm the city's price on its website, so please ask when you call.

How do I get an autopsy report from the Dallas County Medical Examiner?

The Medical Examiner's office is at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, 2355 N. Stemmons Freeway, (214) 920-5900.10 Families are not charged for its services.11

Reports take time, and that can be hard to wait through. They are typically completed within 60 days of the date of death, and some take up to 90.12 Copies cost $15 notarized or $5 non-certified as of 2024.13 To ask about one, call Medical Examiner Records at (214) 920-5921.14 Autopsy reports are public information, with some limits when a crime is being investigated.15

Who can file a wrongful death claim in Dallas?

Texas keeps the list short. The claim belongs to the surviving spouse, children and parents, and one of them can file it for everyone.1 Brothers, sisters and other relatives are not on that list, which can be painful when a family was close.

A person or company can be sued if a wrongful act or carelessness, by them or by their workers, caused the death.16 If the family has not filed within three months, the executor or administrator must file unless all of them ask not to.17

There may be a second claim as well. The injury claim your loved one had before passing moves to the heirs, legal representatives and estate.18 Extra damages meant to punish may be available if the death came from a willful act or gross negligence.19

Do we need probate court in Dallas?

Sometimes. If an estate has to act, Dallas County's Probate Courts Division is in the George Allen Courts Building, 600 Commerce St., 7th Floor, Suite 400.20 A small estate filing needs a copy of the death certificate and a $360 filing fee, and the person must have been deceased at least 30 days.21 A lawyer or the clerk's office can explain which path fits your family.

What if the death was from a crash in Dallas?

Many Dallas families come to this page after a crash. In 2025, 168 fatal crashes happened in the city, and 90 of them were on TxDOT roads.2223 Dallas Police's Traffic Unit handles the investigation of crashes with a death,24 and its Vehicle Crimes Unit answers questions about them at (214) 670-5817.25

The report costs $6 and is usually ready in 5 to 7 working days.2627 If the crash was on a freeway before August 28, 2026, it may have been worked by the Sheriff's Office, whose report line is 214-712-5039.2829

How long does a family have after a death in Dallas?

  • A Texas wrongful death lawsuit must generally be filed within two years of the date of death.2
  • If the City of Dallas may be responsible, the people who may have a claim must give written notice within six months after the injury.43
  • That notice goes to the Office of Risk Management, 1500 Marilla 6A South, Dallas 75201.30
  • DART says an email does not count as legal notice, so send written notice another way.31

What should we ask a wrongful death attorney in Dallas?

  • Who in our family can file, and how do we work together?
  • Is a government involved, and has the six-month clock started?
  • What do we need to gather now, and what can wait?
  • How would the estate's claim and the family's claim work together?
  • How are you paid, and what would that cost us?

Questions

Who can sue for wrongful death in Texas?

The surviving spouse, children and parents.1

How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Dallas?

Generally two years from the date of death, and six months for notice if the City of Dallas may be responsible.23

Where do I get an autopsy report in Dallas County?

Medical Examiner Records, at (214) 920-5921.14

Where do I get a death certificate in Dallas?

From the city's Vital Statistics office for deaths inside city limits, and from the County Clerk for elsewhere in the county.58

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Dallas

Wrongful death

Texas

Sources

  1. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004(a)-(b), checked 2026-11-08. “An action to recover damages as provided by this subchapter is for the exclusive benefit of the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased. (b) The surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased may bring the action or one or more of those individuals may bring the action for the benefit of all.”
  2. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003(b), checked 2026-11-08. “A person must bring suit not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues in an action for injury resulting in death. The cause of action accrues on the death of the injured person.”
  3. Dallas City Charter, Chapter XXIII, Section 1, checked 2026-11-08. “within six months after the injury was received”
  4. Dallas City Charter, Notice of Claims, checked 2026-11-08. “if the injury results in death, the person or persons who may have a cause of action under the law by reason of such death injury, files a notice in writing with the city”
  5. City of Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics, Order Online, checked 2026-11-08. “We can only issue long form birth and death certificates for events that occurred within the city limits of Dallas from April 1983 to present.”
  6. Dallas County Clerk, Death Certificates, checked 2026-11-08. “If the death occurred within the city limits of the City of Dallas, please contact the City of Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics”
  7. City of Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics, Order Online, checked 2026-11-08. “1515 Young Street, 1st Floor Dallas, TX 75201 Phone: (214) 670-3092”
  8. Dallas County Clerk, Death Certificates, checked 2026-11-08. “Records Building - 500 Elm Street, Suite 2100, Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 653-7099”
  9. Dallas County Clerk, Death Certificates, checked 2026-11-08. “Cost is $21.00 for the first copy and an additional $4.00 for each copy”
  10. Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-08. “2355 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 Telephone: (214) 920-5900”
  11. Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “There are no charges for medical examiner services performed for your loved one.”
  12. Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “Autopsy reports are typically completed within 60 days from the date of death.”
  13. Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “a notarized copy of an autopsy or external examination report costs $15.00, a non-certified copy of an autopsy or external examination report is $5.00”
  14. Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-08. “Medical Examiner Records Telephone: (214) 920-5921”
  15. Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, FAQs, checked 2026-11-08. “Autopsy reports are public information.”
  16. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.002(b), checked 2026-11-08. “A person is liable for damages arising from an injury that causes an individual's death if the injury was caused by the person's or his agent's or servant's wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.”
  17. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.004(c), checked 2026-11-08. “If none of the individuals entitled to bring an action have begun the action within three calendar months after the death of the injured individual, his executor or administrator shall bring and prosecute the action unless requested not to by all those individuals.”
  18. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.021(b), checked 2026-11-08. “A personal injury action survives to and in favor of the heirs, legal representatives, and estate of the injured person.”
  19. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 71.009, checked 2026-11-08. “When the death is caused by the wilful act or omission or gross negligence of the defendant, exemplary as well as actual damages may be recovered.”
  20. Dallas County Clerk, Probate Courts, Know Before You Come, checked 2026-11-08. “George Allen Courts Building - 600 Commerce St., 7th Floor Suite 400 Dallas, Texas 75202”
  21. Dallas County Clerk, Probate Courts, Know Before You Come, checked 2026-11-08. “The decedent must be deceased 30 days before the filing of a small estate.”
  22. City of Dallas, Vision Zero 2025 Annual Progress Report (April 2026), checked 2026-11-08. “Total Crashes 216 218 201 208 168 1,011 100%”
  23. City of Dallas, Vision Zero 2025 Annual Progress Report (April 2026), checked 2026-11-08. “TxDOT Roads* 125 123 115 107 90 560 55%”
  24. Dallas Police Department, Traffic Unit, checked 2026-11-08. “The investigation of serious injury or death related to vehicular crashes.”
  25. Dallas Police Department, Public Information, checked 2026-11-08. “Questions pertaining to traffic fatalities or offenses involving a vehicle, contact the Dallas Police Department's Vehicle Crimes Unit (214) 670-5817.”
  26. Dallas Police, Types of Reports, checked 2026-11-08. “There is a $6.00 fee for the accident report if requested through the mail or if picked up in person.”
  27. Dallas Police, Types of Reports, checked 2026-11-08. “Reports are usually available 5 to 7 working days after the accident.”
  28. City of Dallas memo, Transition of Freeway Traffic Enforcement and Crash Response Services, checked 2026-11-08. “DPD will expand its Traffic Unit to assume responsibility for freeway traffic enforcement, crash investigations, and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane enforcement within the City of Dallas.”
  29. Dallas County Sheriff, Contact Us, checked 2026-11-08. “Accident Report Information 214.712.5039”
  30. City of Dallas, Notice of Claim Form, checked 2026-11-08. “OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT 1500 MARILLA 6A SOUTH DALLAS, TEXAS 75201 214-671-9458”
  31. DART, Legal Notices, checked 2026-11-08. “communications made through E-Mail or other messaging system shall in no way be deemed to constitute legal notice to DART”

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