Please call or email our office with the name and date of birth of your loved one. Please note that our office will only release information to immediate next of kin.
In Washington State next of kin is defined by law (RCW 68.50.160) as Spouse or State Registered Domestic Partner, adult children, parents, siblings and court appointed guardians.
Common law marriage is not recognized by state law.
Our investigative tools used can vary depending on the type of scene and/or history of a decedent. Examples of things we may use/request during an investigation are medical records, photographs at the scene and/or during an examination, an external examination, an autopsy, law enforcement and EMS records, toxicology testing, and interviews with medical providers, friends, and/or family of a decedent. Please note that not every investigative tool will be appropriate for every investigation. It is up to the discretion of the Coroner and Chief Deputy Coroner to determine what tools will provide a benefit to the investigation.
Washington State law gives the Coroner authority to decide if an autopsy is necessary to determine the most likely cause of death. Not every death requires an autopsy. The Coroner’s Office reviews evidence, and makes a determination of cause and manner of death based on a preponderance of that evidence. The Coroner must have more than 50 percent certainty based on the evidence to make a determination of the cause and manner of death.
Examination will occur as soon as it is possible to schedule a Forensic Pathologist. Someone from our office will remain in contact with you to keep you updated.
Washington State does not recognize a right to refuse an autopsy ordered by the Coroner’s Office. Autopsies are done to answer medical and legal questions.
Our office recognizes your family or religious beliefs may conflict with performing an autopsy. We are open to discussion to accommodate your wishes, within the constraints of the investigation. If there are any concerns or opposition, please call or notify us immediately.
If the Coroner’s Office declines to have an autopsy performed, then the family can have a private autopsy done, at their own expense (approximate cost can be $5,000 or more).
The funeral home selection is up to the legal next of kin. We are happy to discuss the process with you, but our office cannot/will not recommend a funeral home. Our office will coordinate release of the decedent with your permission to the funeral home of your choosing.
The funeral homes in the Chelan/Douglas County area include:
In some cases, it may take 3-6 months for testing to be completed. Please call or email our office with your request and we will be more than happy to speak with you. If it is determined that you are an immediate family member, we will ask you for an official request along with a copy of a government issued photo ID.
If a person dies outside their residence, in the absence of family, any personal property on the decedent may be taken to the Chelan County Coroner’s Office for safekeeping or turned over to law enforcement as evidence.
Personal effects taken by this office will only be turned over to the immediate legal next of kin. Release may be coordinated by calling or contacting our office.
Posted: 04/22/2026 03:32 PM
Last Updated: 04/23/2026 04:20 PM
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
PLEASE NOTE: FTP browsing is no longer supported on the latest browsers, please refer below to acccess our FTP content.
Popular Browsers
Supported
Microsoft Edge
NO
Google Chrome
NO
Safari
NO
Internet Explorer 11
YES
Mozilla Firefox
YES
Opera
YES
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.
The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
By clicking continue, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to this disclaimer.