Reports
Report requests from insurance companies and attorneys offices will only be fulfilled with one of the following and a $20.00 fee addressed to the "Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner."
- A signed and notarized request form from the legal next of kin (further information below), or
- A subpoena
Notarized request from next of kin
- A signed and notarized request form from the legal next of kin should be placed on official letterhead and include:
- Name of decedent
- Name of next of kin and relationship to decedent
- Name and phone number of entity facilitating request
- Mailing address to send report
- Note:
- The legal next of kin may be someone other than the beneficiary -- we must have a notarized release from the legal next of kin.
- We do not accept releases signed by executors or administrators unless the party is also the legal next of kin.
Mail requests and fee to:
Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner
ATTN: Records Request
2250 South Ankeny Blvd.
Ankeny IA 50023-9093
Note:
- Please send all documentation together. Faxed paperwork cannot be accepted as the fee must accompany the request.
- If the report is not yet finalized, the request will be placed in the file and will be sent once the report is finalized. Reports can take up to twelve weeks from the date of death to be finalized.
- For an invoice, please call or email the IOSME.
Autopsy photographs
Autopsy photograph requests will only be fulfilled with a subpoena and $25.00 fee addressed to the "Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner."