Medical Examiner

County Burials

Whenever any person dies in Fulton County, and the decedent family and immediate relatives cannot afford to pay for burial services, the Fulton County through the Department of Family and Children Services will provide Indigent Burial.    

To apply for assistance, please contact:

DFCS Indigent Burial Coordinator – Ms. Susan Bailey
subailey@dhr.state.ga.us
404-699-4387 direct line
Southwest Service Center
515 Fairburn Road, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30331

Click here to learn more about indigent burial services in Fulton County. 

Death Certificate

A certificate of death should be filed by the funeral director with the Vital Statistics Registrar of the Fulton County Health Department, as soon as possible after death. A certificate of death contains personal information about the deceased (name, age, marital status, parents and spouse's names, etc.), time, location, cause, and manner of death.

The Medical Examiner certifies all deaths over which we assume jurisdiction. Occasionally, completion of the death certificate by the Medical Examiner's Office will be delayed because of various circumstances surrounding the death. We are aware of the importance of the death certificate to families in bringing death-related issues to closure, and we make every effort to complete the death certificate in a timely manner.

430 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Phone: 404-613-4400
Fax: 404-612-2463
email: Email FCME

FCME Jurisdiction

The geographical coverage of the FCME is Fulton County, including all incorporated and unincorporated areas within it. If a death otherwise meets the legal criteria for investigation by a medical examiner, the FCME investigates deaths that result from incidents which occurred in Fulton County, or, if the place of the incident is unknown, deaths in which a dead body is found in Fulton County. The 2015 population estimate of Fulton County is approximately 1 million people. Most of the City of Atlanta is inside of Fulton County.

Below are some basic statistics for the types of deaths investigated by the FCME since 1988. If you want more comprehensive information:

Phone: 404-613-4400
Fax: 404-612-2463
email: Email FCME

* Indicates on-site scene investigation

**Indicates cases in which body was examined by an investigator and/or medical examiner

Procedural Statistics

* Indicates on-site scene investigation.

**Indicates cases in which body was examined by an investigator and/or medical examiner.

***Includes Views plus External Exams conducted by pathologists.

Medical Records

The medical records of the deceased are frequently an integral element in determining the cause and manner of death. In conjunction with the investigation of sudden, unexpected, or violent death, the Medical Examiner has the authority by statute to issue subpoenas for medical and dental records and other documents that are necessary for the full investigation of any case.

When needed, the medical examiner may require the personal appearance of the custodian of such records. In most cases, however, delivery of the requested records via mail, courier, or via one of our investigators is adequate,   and personal appearance of the custodian is not required.

430 Pryor Street SW

Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Phone: 404-613-4400
Fax: 404-612-2463
Email: Email FCME

Release of Information

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office is required by law to make available for public inspection all public records maintained by this office. Exempt from disclosure are all confidential records as exempted by the public disclosure act, preliminary records and notes of investigators and pathologists, records obtained from other sources, and information held on cases undergoing active criminal investigation.

The Medical Examiner does not have the authority or right to disclose any documents, including medical records, which have not originated from this office. These documents must be obtained from their original source. When disclosure of information could jeopardize an ongoing criminal investigation, the Medical Examiner, by order of a superior court, can seal the record and withhold the information from public disclosure.

430 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30312

Phone: 404-613-4400
Fax: 404-612-2463
email: Email FCME

Request for Autopsy/External exam Report

An autopsy may be performed to determine which disease or injury actually caused the death of the individual. The FCMEC office has posted the following forms below to help with requesting an autopsy and/or autopsy report. 

Death Investigations

The Fulton County Medical Examiner has jurisdiction over certain deaths if the events leading to death occur in Fulton County, or, if the place of onset of the fatal event(s) is not known and the body is found in Fulton County.

Anyone who becomes aware that a person has died must report the death immediately to the Fulton County Medical Examiner. Failure to do so a misdemeanor. The investigation of death is a timely matter. Any delay in reporting can create increased investigative difficulties and hamper the investigation.

The criteria of reportable deaths are taken from the Georgia Death Investigation Act. Please call the Medical Examiner's Office if you are uncertain whether a case falls within our jurisdiction and whether or not you should report the death. Our phone number is (404) 613-4400.

FCME Annual Statistical Reports

Direct questions to:

430 Pryor Street SW

Atlanta, Georgia 30312
Phone: 404-613-4400
Fax: 404-612-2463
email: Email FCME