Cremation Permit

Section 49.25(10) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure directs that a cremation “certificate” be requested by the owner or operator of the crematory and provided by the Medical Examiner’s Office of jurisdiction before cremation can occur.

A cremation certificate (permit) can be requested during normal business hours by sending a request and a copy of the Facts of Death Verification Sheet via email:  funeralhomes@tarrantcountytx.gov or Fax: 817-920-5730

Death Certificate

In accordance with the Texas Health and Safety Code §193.002, the death certificate is required to be filed by the “person in charge of interment.”  Although the medical examiner physician certifies the death, the medical examiner’s office does not file the death certificate.  A death certificate may be obtained from the funeral home that handled final disposition of the remains or, using the links below, through either the local Bureau of Vital Statistics Registrar in the city where the death occurred: Tarrant County Vital Records or the Bureau of Vital Statistics office in Austin, Texas: Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics

For the quickest service, funeral service providers having questions regarding death certificates should email: Death Certificate Information

Alternatively, calls may be made to 817-920-5700 ext. 8338.

EDR Number

Funeral directors needing to obtain an EDR number may check for that information at any time via EDR Number Online Access.

For those funeral directors without internet access who need to obtain an EDR number, the request must be made via email: funeralhomesinfo@tarrantcountytx.gov

Autopsy/Exam Report

For Next-of-Kin and Other Parties:

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; click here for the current fee (Item 22050).  To request a copy of an examination report, complete this 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.

For Media:

Send all general inquiries to:  MEPIO@tarrantcountytx.gov.

Request a copy of an examination report on a non-Homicide case by completing this form and returning to:  MEPIO@tarrantcountytx.gov.

For reports on cases where the manner of death is ruled as Homicide, or in-custody deaths, email openrecords@tarrantcountytx.gov for the District Attorney's Office approval.

For additional information, please call:  817/920-5700, Ext. 8336 or 8679 (Records), or Ext. 8343 (PIO).

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

Fax
817-920-5713