Public Records
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5 U.S.C. § 552 (FOIA) Explained: Requests, Fees, Appeals
Plain-English guide to 5 U.S.C. § 552, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): what federal records you can request, filing steps, fees, deadlines, appeals.
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Alabama Birth Certificate: How to Order, Fees and Who Can Get One
Alabama's Center for Health Statistics charges $15 for a birth certificate search with one certified copy. Order at any county health department, by mail or online.
Alabama Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One
Alabama is a closed-record state: death certificates are restricted for 25 years. See who can request a certified copy, the $15 fee, and how to order from ADPH.
Alabama Police Body Camera Laws (2026): Access & Rules
Alabama has no bodycam mandate and footage isn't a public record. See who can view footage under the 2023 disclosure law and what it does not cover.
Alabama Property Records: How to Find Out Who Owns a Property (2026)
Alabama property records are recorded county-by-county through each Judge of Probate. Learn how to search deeds, find an owner, and get a certified copy.
Alabama Unclaimed Property: How to Search & Claim Your Money (2026)
Alabama may be holding unclaimed money in your name. Learn how to search the official state database and file a free claim through the Alabama Treasury.
Alabama Warrant Search: How to Check If You Have a Warrant (2026)
Alabama has no free statewide warrant search. Learn how to check if you have a warrant in Alabama through county sheriffs, Alacourt, and free court portals.
Alaska Birth Certificate: How to Order, Fees and Eligibility
Alaska Vital Records charges $30 for a certified birth certificate and $25 for each extra copy. Order through VitalChek, by mail or fax, or in Anchorage or Juneau.
Alaska Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get Them
Alaska is a closed-record state: death certificates are confidential for 50 years and limited to family and legal representatives. Here is who qualifies, the fee, and how to order.
Alaska Police Body Camera Laws (2026): Access & Retention
Alaska has no bodycam statute; deployment and footage access run agency by agency under the general Alaska Public Records Act. See how requests work.
Alaska Property Records: How to Find Out Who Owns a Property (2026)
Alaska property records are recorded through a single statewide system, the State Recorder's Office. Learn how to search deeds and find a property owner.
Alaska Unclaimed Property: How to Search & Claim Your Money (2026)
Alaska may be holding unclaimed money in your name. Search the official state database free and learn how to file a claim with the Treasury Division.
Alaska Warrant Search: How to Check If You Have a Warrant (2026)
Learn how to check if you have a warrant in Alaska using the Alaska State Troopers list, CourtView case search, and local police departments.
Are 911 Calls Public Records? State Access Guide (2026)
In most states 911 recordings are public records under open-records law, but access varies. Learn how to request a call and the common exemptions.
Are Autopsies Public Records? Vital Records Explained
Autopsy report access depends on state law. See public-record status, statutes, and medical examiner or coroner contact info for all 50 states and DC.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Alabama? (2026 Guide)
Yes. Alabama autopsy and toxicology reports from the Department of Forensic Sciences are public records. Learn who can request one, the $75 fee, and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Alaska? (2026 Guide)
Alaska autopsy reports are not public records. They are confidential and released to next of kin or those with a financial interest once the case closes. Here is how to request one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Arizona? (2026 Guide)
Arizona autopsy reports are public records once the medical examiner finalizes them. Learn who can request a report, the fee, and how to get one in 2026.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Arkansas? (2026)
Arkansas autopsy reports are confidential, not public records. Learn who can request one, the $25 fee, the notarized-letter rule, and how to get a copy.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in California? (2026 Guide)
Yes. California autopsy and coroner reports are public records under the CPRA once the case closes. See who can request one, fees, and the pending-case hold.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Colorado? (2026)
Yes. Colorado autopsy reports are public records under CORA and released by county coroners, with a 2025 exemption for minors. Here is how to request one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Connecticut? (2026)
Connecticut autopsy reports are not open public records. They are released only through the OCME under CGS 19a-411. See who can request one, fees, and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Delaware? (2026 Guide)
Delaware autopsy reports are confidential, not public records. Learn who can request a Delaware autopsy or toxicology report, the fee, the pending-case hold, and how to apply.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in District of Columbia? (2026)
District of Columbia autopsy reports are restricted, not open to the public. Learn who can request an OCME autopsy or toxicology report, the fee, and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Georgia? (2026 Guide)
Yes, completed Georgia autopsy reports are public records once the case closes. Learn who can request one, fees, the pending-case hold, and how to get it.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Hawaii? (2026 Guide)
Hawaii autopsy reports are public records under the UIPA, but privacy redactions apply. Learn who can request a report, the fee, and how to get one in 2026.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Idaho? (2026)
Idaho autopsy reports are not public records. Only the legal next of kin or health care power of attorney can request one from the county coroner. Here is how, fees, and the open-case hold.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Illinois? (2026 Guide)
Illinois autopsy reports are not fully public records. They are released mainly to next of kin and attorneys, and held while a case is open. Here is how to request one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Indiana? (2026)
Indiana autopsy reports are restricted investigative records. Only next of kin and insurers with a claim can get the full report. Learn how to request one and the fee.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Iowa? (2026)
Iowa autopsy reports are not public records. They are released only to the legal next of kin by notarized request, at no charge. Here is how to get one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Kansas? (2026 Guide)
Yes. Kansas autopsy reports are public records under the Open Records Act, filed with the clerk of the district court, unless flagged as a criminal investigation record.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Kentucky? (2026 Guide)
Kentucky autopsy reports are not fully public. Cause and manner of death are public, but the detailed report goes to next of kin. How to request one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Louisiana? (2026)
In Louisiana the full autopsy report is restricted to next of kin and law enforcement, while the coroner's cause-of-death report is public. How to request one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Maine? (2026 Guide)
Maine autopsy reports are not open public records. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner releases them to next of kin free and to others for a fee.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Maryland? (2026 Guide)
Yes. Unless the death is still under investigation, a Maryland autopsy report is a public record. Learn who can request one, the fee, and how to get a copy.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Massachusetts? (2026)
Massachusetts autopsy reports are not public records. Learn who can request one from the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the fee, processing time, and how it differs from a death certificate.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Michigan? (2026 Guide)
Are autopsy reports public in Michigan? Next of kin get a free copy when the case closes; everyone else must file a FOIA request. Here is how to get one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Minnesota? (2026 Guide)
Minnesota autopsy reports are not public records. The full report is private data released to next of kin and the estate. Learn who can request one and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Mississippi? (2026)
Mississippi autopsy reports are not broadly public. Legal next of kin can get one free copy from the State Medical Examiner. Learn who qualifies, the fee, and how to request.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Missouri? (2026 Guide)
Missouri autopsy reports are generally public, but cases under investigation are withheld until the prosecutor authorizes release. Who can request and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Montana? (2026)
Montana autopsy reports are restricted, released only to next of kin, insurers, or law enforcement after a case closes. How to request one and the fee.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Nebraska? (2026)
Nebraska autopsy reports are not public records. Learn who can request a coroner or autopsy report in Nebraska, the fee, and the pending-case rule.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Nevada? (2026 Guide)
Yes. Nevada autopsy and toxicology reports are public records, but private medical details are redacted and reports are held until the case is closed. Here is how to request one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in New Hampshire? (2026)
No. New Hampshire autopsy reports are confidential medical records, not public. Only next of kin and investigating agencies can request one from the OCME.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in New Jersey? (2026 Guide)
New Jersey autopsy reports are releasable to next of kin and other proper-interest parties, but stay restricted during open criminal cases. Here is how to request one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in New Mexico? (2026)
Yes. New Mexico autopsy and toxicology reports from the Office of the Medical Investigator are public records. Learn who can request one, fees, and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in New York? (2026 Guide)
New York autopsy reports are not general public records. Under County Law 677 the next of kin, spouse, or estate representative may request a copy from the coroner or medical examiner.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in North Carolina? (2026)
North Carolina autopsy reports the medical examiner ordered are public once finalized, but a next-of-kin-requested autopsy or a record tied to an active criminal case is treated differently. Here is who can get one and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in North Dakota? (2026)
North Dakota autopsy reports are confidential. Only the Report of Death (cause and manner) is public 8 days after it is finalized. Here is who can request the full report.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Ohio? (2026)
Yes. A final Ohio coroner autopsy report is a public record any person can request, but preliminary notes, photos, suicide notes, and lab reports are exempt.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Oklahoma? (2026)
Yes, Oklahoma autopsy reports are public records, but the full report is withheld 10 business days. See who can request, fees, and how to get one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Oregon? (2026 Guide)
Oregon autopsy reports are not freely public. Family and parties liable for the death can get copies from the Oregon State Police Medical Examiner office.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Pennsylvania? (2026)
Yes. Pennsylvania autopsy and toxicology reports are public records under the Coroner's Act and Right-to-Know Law. Learn who can request one, fees, and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Rhode Island? (2026)
Rhode Island autopsy reports are restricted, not fully public. Learn who can request a copy from the State Medical Examiner, the $40 fee, and how to apply.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in South Carolina? (2026)
South Carolina autopsy reports are not public records. They are restricted to legal next of kin. Learn who can request a coroner or autopsy report, the fee, and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in South Dakota? (2026)
Autopsy reports are generally not public in South Dakota. The state AG holds them exempt under SDCL 1-27-1.5(5). Learn who can request a coroner report and how.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Tennessee? (2026)
Yes. Tennessee autopsy and toxicology reports are public records you can request from the regional forensic center or county medical examiner, with a few exemptions.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Texas? (2026)
Yes. Texas autopsy reports are public information any person can request from the county medical examiner. See fees, the open-case hold, and how to get one.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Utah? (2026 Guide)
Utah autopsy reports are confidential, not public. Only next of kin, legal reps, law enforcement, and attending physicians can get one. Here is how to request it.
Are Autopsy Reports Public in Vermont? (2026)
Vermont autopsy reports are not public records. They are confidential under HIPAA and released only to the legal next of kin. Here is how to request one.