Table of contents

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.

Death certificates must be ordered through a registry agent.

Types of documents available

Not all types of documents are available on every file.

Certificate of medical examiner

This certificate is not a death certificate:

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

Death certificates must be ordered through a registry agent.

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.

PDF form issues

Fillable PDF forms do not open properly on some mobile devices and web browsers. To fill in and save the form:

  1. Save the PDF form to your computer – click or right-click the link and download the form.
  2. Open the PDF form with Adobe Reader. Fill it in and save it.

If you are still having problems opening the form, contact PDF form technical support.

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.

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