Albany County Coroner’s Office – Albany, NY

About the Coroner’s Office

The Albany County Coroner’s Office is an independent county agency responsible for investigating deaths that occur within Albany County. Located on the 7th floor of the Albany County Office Building on State Street, the office operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to fatalities. The Coroner’s jurisdiction includes all deaths that are unattended by a physician, suspicious, violent, or accidental in nature. The office works closely with law enforcement and forensic pathologists to determine the cause and manner of death.

Investigations and Responsibilities

Coroners are elected officials who serve as the legal authority at a death scene. Their duties include securing the scene, taking custody of the body, and seizing pertinent evidence or property. They facilitate autopsies and toxicology testing when necessary to conclude a medical determination. The office is also responsible for notifying the next of kin and issuing the initial death certificate. In cases of unclaimed remains, the Coroner’s Office coordinates indigent burials.

• Death Investigation: Inquiry into unattended or suspicious fatalities.
• Certification: Issuance of death certificates and cremation permits.
• Family Assistance: Notification and property release to next of kin.

Office Information

The administrative office is housed within the Harold L. Joyce Albany County Office Building. While the coroners themselves are frequently in the field, the administrative staff is available during business hours to assist families with obtaining records or retrieving personal effects. Visitors to the building must pass through security screening. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, it is strongly advised to call ahead and schedule an appointment before visiting the office in person.