Obtain death documents related to an investigation

Overview

The documents available depend on the type of post-mortem examination or review the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) conducted on the specific case.

Types of documents available

Certificate of medical examiner

This certificate is not a death certificate:

• Death certificates must be ordered through a registry agent.

This document is often required by institutions like banks, insurance companies and legal firms to settle deceased’s claims and other dispositions. It gives the deceased’s:

• name, sex and age
• date of death
• place of death
• cause of death
• manner of death
• brief description of circumstances

External examination report

A report of the findings when a medical examiner does an external examination of the deceased.

Autopsy report

This report describes the medical examiner’s findings and conclusions when a medical examiner performs an autopsy on the deceased.

Toxicology report

If toxicology testing was done, this is a report of the findings.

Cost

OCME documents cost from $15 to $40 per copy.

How to obtain reports

Step 1. Fill out the form (if you are eligible)

You must be:

• a verified next-of-kin under the Fatality Inquiries Act
• a personal representative of the deceased
• an estate administrator
• an authorized third party (for example, insurance company)
  • a verified next-of-kin or a personal representative must first give written consent to the OCME for a third party to obtain death-related documents

If you are eligible, fill out the Request to Access Information form.

Step 2. Submit the form

Follow the instructions on the form about how to submit by:

• email, or
• mail

Step 3. Wait for a response

After the OCME has received your completed Request to Access Information form:

• The OCME will send you a letter telling you how to order reports.