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Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
 

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Request Documents

To obtain an Autopsy Report, Proof of Death, or a Death Certificate, follow the instructions below.


Autopsy Report

An Autopsy Report may be obtained by the decedent’s next-of-kin (via an in-person request or via a notarized written request), notarized authorization from the next-of-kin, or pursuant to a validly issued subpoena or court order. Autopsy Report requests must include the decedent’s full name and date of death and, should also include the OCME case number if available. Payment must also be submitted, payable to the DC Treasurer, at the time of the request utilizing the following fee schedule:

  • Autopsy Reports (family) - $15.00

  • Autopsy Reports (private organizations) - $75.00

Please send all written requests and fees to:

DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
401 E Street, SW
6th Floor
Washington, DC  20024
Attn: Custodian of Records


Proof of Death

To request Proof of Death in writing, you must include the decedent’s full name, date of death, and the OCME case number if you know it. You must also include a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) check or money order payable to the DC Treasurer. Please send all written requests and fees to:
 
DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
401 E Street, SW
6th Floor
Washington, DC  20024
Attn: Custodian of Records


Death Certificates

To request or obtain information regarding a certified copy of the “Certificate of Death” or its amendment, please check the Department of Health's Vital Records Division or contact:

Government of the District of Columbia
Department of Health
Vital Records Division
825 North Capitol Street, NE, First Floor
Washington, DC  20002
(202) 671-5000
 

Information Available to the Public

Amendment of DC Code 5-1412 in 2023 permits the release of the following information in response to a request from the public:

  1. Name of the decedent;

  2. Race of the decedent;

  3. Sex of the decedent;

  4. Age of the decedent;

  5. Cause of death;

  6. Manner of death;

  7. Place of death;

  8. Case identification number;

  9. Date of examination; and

  10. Name of the examiner performing the external examination or autopsy

To request any of the above information about a decedent, please complete the “Ask the Chief Medical Examiner” form.  Autopsy reports, death certificates, and information not listed above are not available to the public. 

Digitization Project of 2013

The “Digitization Project of 2013” affects Polaroid photos found in OCME case files from 1973-1998. Photos from OCME case files are released pursuant to a subpoena or court order.”

“To learn more about the “Digitization Project of 2013” click here. 

Fees

Fee Schedule [PDF]

 

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