Death investigation in North Dakota is conducted by county coroners or a state medical examiner system, depending on the jurisdiction. These offices determine cause of death for qualifying cases and contribute forensic data that supports law enforcement, public health surveillance, and the state's vital statistics records.
Medical Coroner locations are available in 50 cities across North Dakota. They are spread across 46 counties.
Cities with the highest concentration include Grand Forks, Harvey, Dickinson, which are home to regional medical examiner facilities or county coroner's offices serving the highest-volume jurisdictions in the state.
Residents of North Dakota who need a certified death certificate after a medical examiner investigation should contact the state vital records office — the coroner or medical examiner office typically certifies the cause of death, while the vital records office issues the official certified copies.
Medical Coroner by Counties
Families in North Dakota waiting for a medical examiner investigation to conclude should ask the office for an estimated timeline, especially if they need to make funeral arrangements. Many offices can release the body while additional toxicology testing is still pending, as long as the external examination is complete.
Browse Medical Coroner by county across North Dakota to find the nearest location.