Forms - Requesting Records

AUTOPSY WAIVER

When family members object to an autopsy based upon religious, cultural or other beliefs, every effort will be made to honor that objection.  In this case the decedent's nearest legal next-of-kin (established hierarchically by the Texas Health and Safety Code 711.002)  must complete, sign and deliver this Autopsy Waiver Form to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office before the scheduled examination begins, via one of the following methods:

• Email to MEInvestigations@tarrantcountytx.gov 
• Fax to 817-920-5713
• In person to 200 Feliks Gwozdz Place, Fort Worth, TX 76104    

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 Place, Fort Worth, TX 76104

AUTOPSY/EXAM REPORT REQUEST

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, cashier's check or money order made payable to Tarrant Co. Medical Examiner's Office (see FY25-FY26 Records Fees for different types of reports and the associated fee on the Fee Schedule) to:

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

For further questions, contact the Records Department at 817-920-5700.

PLEASE NOTE:  A separate check is required for each record type requested.  Example:  If you are requesting certified copies and digital photos, you will need to provide one check/money order to the certified copies fee, and one check/money order for the digital photos fee.  Please do not combine fees for multiple record types in one check/money order.

INFORMATION FOR MEDIA

Send all general inquiries to:  MEPIO@tarrantcountytx.gov

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

RELEASE OF DECEDENT BLOOD SAMPLE FOR PATERNITY TESTING

A sample of the decedent's blood may be released to a paternity testing laboratory by formal request from the next-of-kin or by court order.  Instructions for the completion of the formal request may be found in this document:  Release of FTA Card.  Send the formal request or court order for the release of a blood sample to:

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

Any questions may be directed to TCMEevidence@tarrantcountytx.gov or call 817-920-5700 x 8516.