Autopsy Report Requests
The information contained in an autopsy report is not public record, and is treated as a confidential medical record. Please see below for instructions on how to request reports and see our frequently asked questions.
NOTE: If the case is a homicide or still under criminal, active investigation, a report cannot be released without permission from the District Attorney’s Office.
Authorized Requestors:
1. Legal Next-of-Kin
2. Attorneys and Insurance Companies
1. Legal Next-of-Kin (in descending order of authority):
You must be the legal next-of-kin in order to obtain an autopsy report.The final report is available at no charge to the legal next-of-kin (if record is older than 5 years, a pre-payment of $150.00 is required).
Legal next-of-kin is listed below in the descending order of authority. Please do not submit a request for reports if there are surviving relatives that come before you in the list below:
| FIRST: |
Spouse/domestic partner (legal spouse/domestic partner of the decedent, whether estranged or separated, but not divorced) and/or appointed executor of estate; then, |
| SECOND: |
Decedent’s adult children (excluding step-children); then, |
| THIRD: |
Parents of decedent; then, |
| FOURTH: |
Sibling of decedent (including half-siblings); then, |
| FIFTH: |
Sibling of decedent’s parents; then, |
| SIXTH: |
Grandparents of decedent; then, |
| SEVENTH: |
Descendant of grandparents of decedent; then, |
| EIGHTH: |
Great-grandparents of decedent; then, |
| NINTH: |
Descendant of great-grandparents of decedent |
TO REQUEST A REPORT: IF you are the legal next of kin as stated above, please do one of the following:
- Fill out our online Autopsy Report Request Form and you will be emailed a copy of the report when completed in a confidential email.
- Download, Print and Mail or Print & Fax
a signed completed Autopsy Report Request Form to:
100 Elizabeth Blackwell Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
Fax: 315.435.3319
2. Attorneys and Insurance Companies:
TO REQUEST A REPORT: Requests must be emailed to autopsyrequests@ongov.net
Please send email requests on company letterhead and from a company email address with full signature block (including name of requester, title, agency name/address, email and phone). All requests must include a signed release from the legal next-of-kin.
Reports will be sent from the secure email address “ITNotification@ongov.net”; please be sure to check your spam folder. NOTE: Examination report(s) take approximately 90 days to be completed and may take longer if additional testing and review are required by the medical examiner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to receive a copy of an autopsy report?
Autopsy reports are available in approximately 90 days from the date of the autopsy. The report may take longer if additional testing and review are required by the medical examiner. Every effort is made to complete the autopsy report in a timely manner.
Q: Are autopsy reports releasable under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)?
NO, pursuant to New York Public Officers Law, Article 6, Sections 87.2.(a) and (b) and Section 89.2.(b)(ii), autopsy reports are not subject to FOIL requests.
Q: Where can I get the death certificate?
The Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office does not issue copies of death certificates.The completed death certificate is filed by the funeral service provider. To receive copies of the death certificate, please contact the funeral service provider who coordinated the services for your loved one. Death certificates of persons who die in Onondaga County are filed at the Onondaga County Bureau of Vital Statistics.
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