im looking to find a relative's death record?

Question

my brother supposedly passed on ,jan.26th , this year i am looking to find the record to prove or disprove ,this fact.can any one help,me

Answer 1

Hey J M P,

You can find some information on the internet. Below are some sites to look as backup information. A death record is the absolute proof, and you get them for relatives from the municipality where the relative passed away, usually a county records office. You can find that office on the internet with the YAHOO! SEARCH for "VITAL RECORD ", where you put your county or city as the location.

If the death is recent, it may take time for SSA to post the death, and Family Search will not have it until SSA posts it. You can also look for Obituaries in the local paper, that is what most people do. The local librarian will be happy to assist you, especially if you are nice!

Answer 2

Here is the link as to what the papers for an autopsy report might look like.

These are just links to diagrams that a medical examiner might use to sketch out some findings during the autopsy. Not all the diagrams are used and it really is just a matter of personal preference. Some jot down notes during the autopsy, others dictate notes into a voice recorder. After the autopsy is finished, notes from the other findings (toxicology, histology, etc..) are compiled and a formal report is made. This is the report that is generally only available to immediate family members or lawyers if the death is involved in a legal case.

Getting a hold of someone's autopsy report, the actual law about this depends on the state, but most only allow immediate family members to view the autopsy report.

For example, in the State of New Mexico:

How are findings of the investigation made available?
If the cause of death was unclear, or family members had specific questions, the investigator or pathologist will telephone a family member as soon as that information is available. This can be following the autopsy (as in the cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SIDS), or following toxicologic or other studies. In all cases, the death certificate will be signed at the conclusion of the investigation. The cause of the death and the manner of the death will be on the certificate. Formal reports are available usually eight to twelve weeks after the final diagnosis has been made, although some may take longer. Instructions on how to obtain copies of the death certificate or the formal reports appear at the end of this response.

What kind of reports are produced?
The Office of the Medical Investigator produces three reports: the autopsy report (or external examination report), the report of findings, and the toxicology report. Although the Medical Investigator signs the death certificate, the document is finalized and distributed through the New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics.

How soon are reports available?
The report of finding is a one-page report that contains the information listed on the death certificate. It is normally available 10 working days after the death certificate is released to the funeral home. The autopsy and toxicology reports may take up to 12 weeks before being released.

Who can get copies of the reports?
Documents are provided to law enforcement, the district attorney, special government agencies, and the hospital providing treatment at the time of death. A copy of the autopsy report, report of findings, and toxicology reports will be provided at no cost to the next of kin upon request. Specific information on fees for reports can be obtained by calling 505-272-3053 and following instructions on how to obtain copies of reports. Office hours are from 8-5 Monday through Friday.

I am appending below a link to State Coroner's Office of Victoria state, Australia and another for Requesting Reports from the Office of The Medical Investigator in the State of New Mexico.

Answer 3

You need to call the county he passed away in and ask for a death certificate. You may have to pay $10-30 for it.

Answer 4

I would ask that you might repost the question and include a possible country or state.
Information from US sources are useless to you, unless it is where you (or he) lives.
And.. had you included the name (and place) someone could have maybe looked it up in sources they know of.
Help us help you.

Answer 5

Try the social security death indexes also

http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/

http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3693