Are Autopsy Reports Public in Utah? (2026 Guide)

Utah autopsy and toxicology reports are not public records. They are classified as confidential under Utah Code and may only be released to a limited group, including the decedent's next of kin, a legal representative, law enforcement, and a physician or physician assistant who attended the decedent during the year before the death. The general public cannot obtain a Utah autopsy report.

Are Autopsy Reports Public in Utah?

No. Autopsy reports in Utah are not public records. The records maintained by the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner are classified as confidential, and their release is governed by Utah Code 26B-8-217, titled Records of medical examiner -- Confidentiality (the provision formerly numbered 26-4-17 before it was recodified effective May 3, 2023).

This means a general member of the public, a journalist, or a curious party cannot simply request and receive a Utah autopsy report. The report is treated as a protected medical record.

Because these records are confidential, they are exempt from open release under Utah's public records law, the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Access is instead limited to specific authorized people.

Who Performs Autopsies in Utah?

Utah uses a statewide medical examiner system, not a county coroner system. The Office of the Medical Examiner (OME), part of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, investigates deaths across the entire state.

The OME takes jurisdiction over a death when it appears the death was caused by violence, a gunshot, suicide, or accident, or when a person died suddenly while in apparent good health. It also handles deaths that are unexplained, suspicious, or unattended.

The medical examiner, or a designee licensed to practice medicine in Utah, conducts the examination. Not every death within OME jurisdiction results in a full autopsy. In some cases, such as certain unattended deaths, an autopsy is only performed if requested by a county or district attorney or a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.

A toxicology report, which tests for drugs, alcohol, or other substances, is often produced alongside the autopsy when relevant to the cause of death.

Who Can Request a Utah Autopsy Report?

Access is limited to a defined group of people. On written request, the Office of the Medical Examiner must provide autopsy and toxicology reports to the deceased person's immediate relative, a legal representative, law enforcement, and a physician or physician assistant who attended the decedent during the year before the death.

For next of kin, the OME Records Request Form lists the eligible relatives who may authorize a request:

• Current spouse
• Adult child (18 or older)
• Parent
• Adult sibling (18 or older)
• Grandparent
• Adult grandchild (18 or older)
• Legal guardian or legal representative (supporting documentation must be attached)

Attorneys and other law enforcement officials with jurisdiction, such as a county attorney, district attorney, or criminal defense attorney, may also obtain records as necessary for their professional duties. The general public is not on this list.

Beyond that mandatory list, the statute gives the medical examiner discretion to release records in several other situations. Reports may go to the director of a local health department, a local mental health authority, a public health authority, or another state or federal government agency for official purposes, and may be released where the record relates to an issue of public health or safety. A qualified researcher whose project carries institutional review board approval may also receive a record, subject to confidentiality and deidentification conditions. Records can additionally be disclosed when a court orders it. None of these paths opens the report to the general public.

How to Get an Autopsy or Toxicology Report in Utah

To request a Utah autopsy or toxicology report, complete the Office of the Medical Examiner Records Request Form, have it notarized, and submit it to the OME. The form must be received in the office within 90 days of being notarized.

Mail the completed form to:

Utah Office of the Medical Examiner 4451 South 2700 West Taylorsville, UT 84129 Phone: 801-816-3850 Fax: 801-964-1240

On the form you list the decedent's information, the type of record (Autopsy/Toxicology Report), where to send the material, and the next-of-kin relationship authorizing the request. Fees may apply, and checks or money orders should be made payable to the Utah Medical Examiner's Office.

Once a complete request is received, the OME typically sends the report within about 3 business days. If the case is still open and the report is not yet finished, the office holds the request and sends a copy once the report is finalized. Complex cases involving toxicology testing or a pending investigation can take weeks or months to complete.

To learn more about the underlying record and related steps, see our overview of Are Autopsies Public Records?

Autopsy Report vs Death Certificate in Utah

An autopsy report and a death certificate are two different documents. The death certificate is the official vital record that lists the cause and manner of death on a single line, while the autopsy report is a detailed medical narrative of the examination and findings.

A Utah death certificate is issued by the Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics and is available to qualified applicants, often within days. The autopsy report is held by the Office of the Medical Examiner and is confidential, with access limited to next of kin and other authorized parties.

If you only need the cause of death for an estate, insurance, or benefits matter, the death certificate is often enough. The full autopsy report provides the supporting detail behind that cause-of-death line. For the certificate itself, start with our Utah Death Records guide.

Utah Autopsy Report Facts

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal advice. Records rules and fees can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner before relying on this information.

Sources

This guide is based on the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner and the Utah Code; see the citations below and verify current details with the OME. For more state pages, visit the Death Records by State hub.