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Request Medical Examiner records

The Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) does not provide death certificates. To get a death certificate, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
To request records having to do with an autopsy or investigation done by the MEO, you must fill out the records request form and pay for the reports you want.

Who

Only the following people can request records from the MEO:

  • The legal next of kin for the person who died.
  • A person or agency with written permission from the next of kin. This is usually an attorney or insurance company.
  • Anyone with a court order or subpoena for the report.

Where and when

Print and fill out the records request form. Email it, mail it, or bring it in person to the Medical Examiner’s Office. You must include a copy of the next of kin’s photo identification. It may take up to 12 weeks for your request to be completed.

By email

Email your completed records request form, along with a copy of the next of kin’s photo ID, to medicalexaminer@phila.gov. We’ll respond to your email with the amount due. You can mail your payment or bring it to our office in person. We’ll send the requested documents once we receive payment.

By mail

Mail your completed records request form, along with a copy of the next of kin’s photo ID, to:

Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office
Record Room
400 N. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130

In person

You can request records Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring a copy of the next of kin’s photo ID when you visit.

Cost

You can pay for the reports with a check or money order.

Record type Cost
Complete case file, including autopsy and toxicology reports $50
Autopsy and toxicology reports $35
Histology slides $8 each

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