City repatriation guide
Repatriation from Seattle, United States
Specific guidance for arranging repatriation from Seattle. Local documentation contacts, airport cargo routes, and the typical process for cases originating in this area.
Seattle is Washington state’s largest city and a significant hub for British business travellers in the technology and aerospace sectors. It is also the primary gateway for British tourists to the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and the Canadian Rockies. Death investigation in the Seattle area is the responsibility of the King County Medical Examiner’s Office (KCMEO).
What the British Consul does — and does not do
The British Consulate General San Francisco has jurisdiction over Washington state (there is no dedicated British Consulate in Seattle). For Seattle-area deaths, the correct first official contact is the British Consulate General in San Francisco, which handles Pacific Northwest cases.
The Consul can: Register the death in UK consular records. Provide a list of funeral homes with international repatriation experience. Advise on UK documentation requirements.
The Consul cannot: Repatriate the body, pay any costs, or instruct American authorities.
FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
What Washington State/King County law requires
Under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 68.50, deaths that are sudden, violent, unexplained, or without a physician in attendance must be reported to the Medical Examiner. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office (325 9th Avenue, Seattle WA 98104) investigates these cases and conducts official autopsies.
For hospital deaths with a certified cause, the attending physician issues the death certificate.
The documentation chain
1. Washington State Death Certificate. Issued by the Washington State Department of Health via the licensed funeral home. Certified copies required.
2. King County ME release (where applicable). The KCMEO issues authorisation for body release when investigation is complete.
3. State transit permit. Arranged by the funeral home.
4. Embalming certificate. Required for air transport.
5. IATA airline cargo documentation.
Source: Revised Code of Washington Chapter 68.50; King County Medical Examiner’s Office, Services, 2024; FCDO USA travel advice, 2024.
Airport and cargo routing
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the regional hub. British Airways operates SEA-LHR direct. Alaska Airlines, United, and American also have trans-Atlantic connections. The SEA cargo terminal handles human remains.
Timeline from Seattle
- Hospital-certified natural death: 7 to 14 days
- KCMEO investigation: 14 to 21 days
- Full criminal investigation: 4 to 8 weeks
Key local considerations
Seattle is home to the headquarters of Boeing, Amazon, and Microsoft, among others. British nationals working in technology and aerospace are well-represented in the city. Outdoor recreation deaths — hiking in the Cascade Mountains, water sports on Puget Sound — are a secondary category.
For the broader US repatriation framework, see our USA repatriation guide.
For guidance on next steps, contact our team via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Information based on Revised Code of Washington Chapter 68.50, King County Medical Examiner’s Office procedures, and FCDO USA consular guidance. Last reviewed May 2026.
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