Online Catalogue – Ordering Inquest Records
This PROVguide outlines how to order inquest records for viewing in Public Record Office Victoria’s reading room at the Victorian Archives Centre. Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) holds records of inquests and other kinds of coronial investigations held in Victoria from 1840 – 1985. For information about accessing Coroner’s records created after 1985, please contact the Coroners Court of Victoria Information and Records Manager on 1300 309 519 or alternatively you can access the Court’s website at www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au.
Information regarding access to documents can be found under “Court Processes- Access to Documents”.
This PROVguide gives detailed information about accessing VPRS 24 Inquest Deposition Files. PROV also holds VPRS 10010 Body Cards, which are records of coronial investigations, many of which have not resulted in an inquest.
Viewing records at PROV
Once ordered on PROV’s online catalogue at www.access.prov.vic.gov.au, records are delivered to the VAC reading room Monday to Friday. Records are held for up to 10 working days before being returned to the repository. Please see PROVguide 21 Ordering Records for information about our delivery times.
Separate areas in the VAC reading room are available for researchers who wish to view the records in privacy – just ask our reference staff. Coroner’s records can contain photographs you may not wish to view. Reference staff can cover photographs on request.
Accessing records of other kinds of coronial investigations
PROV holds the series VPRS 10010 Body Cards 1959 – 1985, which contain the documentation created in the course of a coronial investigation, many of which did not result in an inquest. Between 1959 and May 1985 these files document investigations conducted by the Melbourne Coroner.
Accessing inquest records and body cards – 1986 onwards
Please contact the Coroners Court of Victoria Information and Records Manager on 1300 309 519 or alternatively you can access the Court’s website at www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au. Information regarding access to documents can be found under “Court Processes- Access to Documents”.
For your request to be considered, you must complete an application form, Form 45- Application for Access to Coronial Documents. This form can be found on the Court’s website. The completed form can either be posted to the Court or emailed to coronerscourt.records@coronerscourt.vic.gov.au
How do I get a copy of a record?
PROV does not offer a research or copying service in response to phone or written requests. We can assist you to place your copy order when you visit the reading room at the Victorian Archives Centre to view the records you have ordered online. See PROVguide 2 Copying Services for information about PROV’s copying services.
Digital cameras
Researchers can make photographic copies of records they have ordered using the PROV digital camera located in the reading room at the Victorian Archives Centre by bringing in their own USB flash drive or by purchasing one from PROV. Alternatively, researchers can use their own digital camera provided that certain conditions of use are observed when using either method. These conditions include restrictions on photographing records that are not under crown copyright. See PROVguide 24 Use of Digital Cameras in PROV Reading Rooms for details.
Search agents
If you are not able to visit the Victorian Archives Centre to view records and place your copy order, you may wish to hire a search agent to undertake this on your behalf. See PROVguide 15 Search Agents for contact details.
Further information
See PROVguide 71 Inquest Records for more information about Coroner’s records held by PROV.
See PROVguide 20 Searching for Records Online, and PROVguide 21 Ordering Records for more information about ordering records on PROV’s online catalogue.
