Forms - Requesting Records

AUTOPSY WAIVER

In the event the decedent's nearest legal next-of-kin (established hierarchically by the Texas Health and Safety Code 711.002) wishes that no autopsy be performed, should one be under consideration by the assigned physician, this Autopsy Waiver Form must be filled out completely, signed and delivered to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office before the scheduled examination begins, via one of the following methods:

 

AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE REMAINS

Release of a decedent's body must be authorized in writing, using the Authorization to Release Remains Form, by the decedent's nearest legal next-of-kin (see Texas Health and Safety Code 711.002), or a designee named and authorized by the nearest legal next-of-kin.  The completed and signed document may be delivered by any of the following methods:

  • By funeral home personnel receiving the decedent
  • Fax to 817-920-5713
  • In person to 200 Feliks Gwozdz Pl., Fort Worth, TX 76104

 

AUTOPSY/EXAM REPORT REQUEST

After the decedent's examination is completed, any associated test results or reports are received, and the Examination Report is finalized and transcribed, one non-certified copy will be made available free of charge to the decedent's nearest legal next-of-kin.  A certified copy for the next-of-kin or any other party is available for a fee (Item 22050 on this Fee Schedule).  To request a copy of an Examination Report, complete this Autopsy/Exam Report Request Form and return to the Records Custodian at tcmerecords@tarrantcountytx.gov.  When the manner of death is ruled as Homicide, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner Records Custodian will submit the request for the report to the District Attorney's Office.

 

REQUESTING PHOTOS

The legal next-of-kin may request photographs via a notarized letter containing the following information:

1. The decedent's full name and date of death;
2. The next-of-kin's full name, address, phone number and email address;
3. A statement that the requestor is the nearest legal next-of-kin and what his/her relationship is to the decedent;
4. The specific information the requestor is seeking (e.g., all autopsy photographs);
5. The address to which the photos should be mailed;
6. The requestor's notarized signature.

All of the above, along with the notary signature, stamp and date signed, must be on one page.  Mail the original letter (copies will not be accepted) to our office with a copy of the requestor's driver license and check for $180 made payable to Tarrant Co. Medical Examiner's Office (Tax ID# 756001170). 

Mail to: Tarrant Co. Medical Examiner's Office, Attn: Records Custodian, 200 Feliks Gwozdz Pl., Fort Worth, TX 76104-4919.

For further questions, contact the Records Custodian at tcmerecords@tarrantcountytx.gov or 817-920-5700, Ext. 8336.

 

INFORMATION FOR MEDIA

Send all general inquiries to:  MEPIO@tarrantcountytx.gov

Request a copy of an examination report by completing this Autopsy/Exam Report Request Form and sending to:  MEPIO@tarrantcountytx.gov

Mail:     Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office
              200 Feliks Gwozdz Place
              Fort Worth, TX 76104-4919

Fax        817-920-5713

For additional information, please call:  817-920-5700, Ext. 8343 or 8340.