Wash. Rev. Code » Title 68 · Chapter 68.50
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 68.50.105 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential, except that the following persons may examine and obtain copies of any such report or record: The personal representative of the decedent as defined in RCW 11.02.005, any family member, the attending physician or *advanced registered nurse practitioner, the prosecuting attorney or law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction, public health officials, the department of labor and industries in cases in which it has an interest under RCW 68.50.103, the secretary of the department of children, youth, and families or his or her designee in cases being reviewed under RCW 74.13.640, or the secretary of the department of social and health services or his or her designee under chapter 74.34 RCW.
(2)(a) Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in this section regarding the dissemination of records and reports of autopsies or postmortems, nor the exemptions referenced under RCW 42.56.240(1), nothing in this chapter prohibits a coroner, medical examiner, or his or her designee, from publicly discussing his or her findings as to any death subject to the jurisdiction of his or her office where actions of a law enforcement officer or corrections officer have been determined to be a proximate cause of the death, except as provided in (b) of this subsection.
(b) A coroner, medical examiner, or his or her designee may not publicly discuss his or her findings outside of formal court or inquest proceedings if there is a pending or active criminal investigation, or a criminal or civil action, concerning a death that has commenced prior to January 1, 2014.
(3) The coroner, the medical examiner, or the attending physician shall, upon request, meet with the family of the decedent to discuss the findings of the autopsy or postmortem. For the purposes of this section, the term "family" means the surviving spouse, state registered domestic partner, or any child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, or sister of the decedent, or any person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of death.
[ 2023 c 44 s 4; 2019 c 470 s 14; 2013 c 295 s 1; 2011 c 61 s 1. Prior: 2007 c 439 s 1; 2007 c 156 s 23; 1987 c 331 s 58; 1985 c 300 s 1; 1977 c 79 s 2; 1953 c 188 s 9. Formerly RCW 68.08.105.]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: The term "advanced registered nurse practitioner" was changed to "advanced practice registered nurse" by 2024 c 239 s 1, effective June 30, 2027.
Effective date—2013 c 295: See note following RCW 68.50.115.
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RCW 68.50.105

Autopsies, Postmortems—Reports and Records Confidential—Exceptions. (Effective June 30, 2027.)

(1) Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential, except that the following persons may examine and obtain copies of any such report or record: The personal representative of the decedent as defined in RCW 11.02.005, any family member, the attending physician or advanced practice registered nurse, the prosecuting attorney or law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction, public health officials, the department of labor and industries in cases in which it has an interest under RCW 68.50.103, the secretary of the department of children, youth, and families or his or her designee in cases being reviewed under RCW 74.13.640, or the secretary of the department of social and health services or his or her designee under chapter 74.34 RCW.
(2)(a) Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in this section regarding the dissemination of records and reports of autopsies or postmortems, nor the exemptions referenced under RCW 42.56.240(1), nothing in this chapter prohibits a coroner, medical examiner, or his or her designee, from publicly discussing his or her findings as to any death subject to the jurisdiction of his or her office where actions of a law enforcement officer or corrections officer have been determined to be a proximate cause of the death, except as provided in (b) of this subsection.
(b) A coroner, medical examiner, or his or her designee may not publicly discuss his or her findings outside of formal court or inquest proceedings if there is a pending or active criminal investigation, or a criminal or civil action, concerning a death that has commenced prior to January 1, 2014.
(3) The coroner, the medical examiner, or the attending physician shall, upon request, meet with the family of the decedent to discuss the findings of the autopsy or postmortem. For the purposes of this section, the term "family" means the surviving spouse, state registered domestic partner, or any child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, or sister of the decedent, or any person who was guardian of the decedent at the time of death.
[ 2025 c 58 s 5121; 2023 c 44 s 4; 2019 c 470 s 14; 2013 c 295 s 1; 2011 c 61 s 1. Prior: 2007 c 439 s 1; 2007 c 156 s 23; 1987 c 331 s 58; 1985 c 300 s 1; 1977 c 79 s 2; 1953 c 188 s 9. Formerly RCW 68.08.105.]

Notes:

Effective date—2025 c 58 ss 5058-5170: See note following RCW 7.68.030.
Explanatory note—2025 c 58: See note following RCW 1.16.050.
Effective date—2013 c 295: See note following RCW 68.50.115.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 19 cases, 1990–2019 · leading case: Reid v. Pierce Cnty., 961 P.2d 333 (Wash. 1998).
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Reid v. Pierce Cnty., 961 P.2d 333 (Wash. 1998). · cites it 5× “" Furthermore, our holding is supported by RCW 68.50.105, which declares a public policy that autopsy records regarding deceased persons remain confidential and distributed only to a select few.”
Reid v. Pierce Cnty., 136 Wash. 2d 195 (Wash. 1998). · cites it 5× “” Furthermore, our holding is supported by RCW 68.50.105, which declares a public policy that autopsy records regarding deceased persons remain confidential and distributed only to a select few.”
Thompson v. Wilson, 175 P.3d 1149 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 13× “We hold that, to the extent Thompson sought to compel the coroner's compliance with RCW 68.50.105, the trial court erred in granting summary judgment dismissal based FACTS ¶ 2 On December 16, 1998, Ronda Reynolds died from a single gunshot wound to the head.”
Thompson v. Wilson, 142 Wash. App. 803 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 13× “We hold that, to the extent Thompson sought to compel the coroner’s compliance with RCW 68.50.105, the trial court erred in granting summary judgment dismissal based on the statute of limitations of her petition for judicial review and a writ of mandamus.”
City of Fed. Way v. Koenig, 217 P.3d 1172 (Wash. 2009). “080 (creating confidentiality in automobile accident reports and limiting access to them); [2] RCW 68.50.105 (confidentiality of autopsy records).”
Zueger v. Pub. Hosp. Dist. No. 2, 789 P.2d 326 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 3× “Appellant argues that the legislative policy of RCW 68.50.105, regarding the confidentiality of autopsy reports, was violated when Dr.”
Adams v. King Cnty., 192 P.3d 891 (Wash. 2008). “While Reid supports Adams's claim that she has a privacy interest in Jesse's autopsy records, she does not allege that such records were published. Respondents entered into an agreement to share autopsy records, in which SMRI agreed to abide by all state privacy and…”
Adams v. King Cnty., 164 Wash. 2d 640 (Wash. 2008). “at 210-11; RCW 68.50.105. ¶44 Adams’s claim fails to allege any publication of private matters.”
Kingery v. Dept. of Labor & Indus., 937 P.2d 565 (Wash. 1997). “Recodified as RCW 68.50.105 by Laws of 1987, ch. 331, § 89.”
Comaroto v. Pierce Cnty. Med. Exam'r's Off., 111 Wash. App. 69 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 11× “’s suicide note are exempt from disclosure by operation of RCW 68.50.105, which exempts autopsy and post mortem reports and records, subject to limited exceptions.”
Lee v. Jasman, 332 P.3d 1106 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “RCW 68.50.105. The county coroner may conduct an investigation into a person missing for 30 days under suspicious circumstances and, if so, must (1) file a missing person’s report with the Washington State Patrol Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit, (2) initiate the collection…”
Comaroto v. Pierce Cty. Meo, 43 P.3d 539 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 10× “'s suicide note are exempt from disclosure by operation of RCW 68.50.105, which exempts autopsy and post mortem reports and records, subject to limited exceptions.”
Show all 19 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 68.50.105(1) — 3 cases
BNSF Ry. Co. v. Clark, 434 P.3d 50 (Wash. 2019).
Richard Lee, App. v. City Of Seattle, Seattle Police Dep't, Res. (Wash. Ct. App. 2018).
Keith Dahl v. Gina Fino & Pac. Nw Forensic Pathologists (Wash. Ct. App. 2019).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 68.50.105(3) — 1 case
Keith Dahl v. Gina Fino & Pac. Nw Forensic Pathologists (Wash. Ct. App. 2019).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 68.50.105(3)(b) — 1 case
Keith Dahl v. Gina Fino & Pac. Nw Forensic Pathologists (Wash. Ct. App. 2019).
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