Medical

Requesting Autopsy Reports

Final autopsy reports may be requested by the legal next-of-kin or law enforcement agencies.

For Families:

  • Autopsy report requests must be made by submitting the form below.
  • This form must be completed by the legal next-of-kin and must be notarized.
    • The legal next-of-kin is determined as per Iowa Code Section 144C.5(1):
      • A designee, or alternate designee, acting pursuant to the decedent’s declaration.
      • The surviving spouse of the decedent, if not legally separated from the decedent, whose
        whereabouts is reasonably ascertainable.
      • A surviving child of the decedent, or, if there is more than one, a majority of the surviving
        children whose whereabouts are reasonably ascertainable.
      • The surviving parents of the decedent whose whereabouts are reasonably
        ascertainable.
      • A surviving grandchild of the decedent, or, if there is more than one, a majority of the
        surviving grandchildren whose whereabouts are reasonably ascertainable.
      • A surviving sibling of the decedent, or, if there is more than one, a majority of the
        surviving siblings whose whereabouts are reasonably ascertainable.
      • A surviving grandparent of the decedent, or, if there is more than one, a majority of the
        surviving grandparents whose whereabouts are reasonably ascertainable.
      • A person in the next degree of kinship to the decedent in the order named by law
        to inherit the estate of the decedent under the rules of inheritance for intestate succession
        or, if there is more than one, a majority of such surviving persons whose whereabouts are
        reasonably ascertainable.
      • A person who represents that the person knows the identity of the decedent and who
        signs an affidavit warranting the identity of the decedent and assuming the right to control
        final disposition of the decedent’s remains and the responsibility to pay any expense attendant
        to such final disposition. A person who warrants the identity of the decedent pursuant to this
        paragraph is liable for all damages that result, directly or indirectly, from that warrant.
  • The form can be returned to the Polk County Medical Examiner's Office by e-mail, fax, or mail. 

Legal Next-of-Kin Autopsy Report Request Form

Law Enforcement Agencies may request autopsy reports by sending an e-mail to mereportrequest@polkcountyiowa.gov.