Autopsy Reports Requests

Individuals may obtain a copy of a completed autopsy report from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday with the exception of Harris County Holidays.

Request a Report


By email:

ifsadministrativeservices@ifs.hctx.net

In writing, by postal mail addressed to:

Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences

Attn: Administrative Services,
Autopsy Report Order

1861 Old Spanish Trail
Houston, Texas 77054

 

All requests from media should be submitted through the institute's public information officer.  Click here to learn more.

To help the institute fulfill your request, please provide as much of the following information as possible:

 

Details pertaining to the deceased:

  • case number (ml or oc number, if available)
  • name of the deceased
  • date of death
  • county where the death occurred

 

Details pertaining to the requester:

  • name of person requesting the autopsy report
  • mailing address
  • phone number
  • email address of person requesting the autopsy report

Report Fee


Electronic Copy

A PDF of an autopsy report can be emailed at no charge to a requestor that does not require a certified copy.

Certified Copy

There is a $0.10 per page fee for a printed, certified copy of an autopsy report. You are asked not to provide payment until you are notified that the report is complete and ready.

Payment may be made by check, money order, or credit card.

The following guidelines have been established by the Institute for the acceptance of credit cards:

  1. Personal credit card information will not be accepted over the phone, by email, or by fax.
  2. Acceptable Cards:
    1. Discover, Master Card, Visa, and American Express
    2. Business or corporate credit cards with the name of the authorized user imprinted on the card. If the credit card does not have the presenting authorized user's name imprinted on the card, a list of authorized users printed on the cardholder company's letterhead or a written agreement between the Institute of Forensic Sciences and the cardholder company kept on file with the Institute must be supplied.
  3. Non-Acceptable Cards:
    1. Bank debit-only cards, unless they can be processed as a credit card without using a PIN
    2. Cards labeled "Gift Card," "Stored Value Card," or cards with a specified dollar amount on the face or with a statement that the card is non-reloadable are not accepted as a form of payment.
  4. There is no charge to a customer for using a credit card.
  5. There is no minimum sale amount for using a credit card.
  6. State-issued photo identification is required for all transactions using a personal credit card.
  7. Credit card information will not be stored or kept on file for anyone.