How to request your medical records from a hospital or clinic

Your medical records belong to you. Under the HIPAA Right of Access, any provider must give you a copy on request. Here’s how to do it cleanly — and skip the phone tag.

By UploMD · Updated July 2026

You have a legal right to your records

The HIPAA Right of Access entitles you to inspect and get a copy of your health records from any covered provider — doctor’s office, hospital, imaging center, or lab. You don’t have to give a reason, and they can’t withhold records because of an unpaid bill.

Who to contact

Ask for the Medical Records, Health Information Management (HIM), or Release of Information (ROI) department. Small clinics may handle it at the front desk; hospitals almost always have a dedicated team.

Complete the authorization / release form

You’ll fill out a short authorization form (also called a records release or ROI form). Be specific to avoid delays:

Which records — clinical notes, labs, imaging reports, operative reports, discharge summaries, etc.
Date range — or “all available records.”
Where to send them — to you, or to a third party you designate (another doctor, or a service acting on your behalf).
Format — paper, secure PDF, or electronic where available.

How long it takes

Providers generally must respond within 30 days (with one possible 30-day extension). In practice, straightforward requests are often filled in a few business days.

What it can cost

Providers may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies — the cost of labor and media. Many electronic copies are free or low-cost. If a fee seems excessive, you can ask for the cost breakdown; the Right of Access limits what they can charge for your own records.

What tends to go wrong

Records scattered across many facilities you’ve visited over the years.
Imaging centers that send only the report, not the actual images.
Forms rejected for missing details, restarting the clock.
A clinic that closed or a doctor who moved — records still exist, but tracking them down is work.

Let UploMD do the chasing

Tell UploMD where you’ve been seen and it requests the records for you from each facility — with a proper HIPAA authorization — then files everything into one organized history you can view and share. No phone tag, no piles of paper, and your actual imaging comes along too.

Skip the chasing — let UploMD gather it for you

UploMD requests your records from every facility, keeps your real MRI, CT & X-ray viewable on your phone, and lets you share securely with family, your care team, or an ER. Free to start.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does a hospital have to give me my medical records?

Under HIPAA, generally within 30 days of your request, with one possible 30-day extension. Many requests are filled sooner.

Can a provider charge me for my records?

They may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies and media. Electronic copies are often free or low-cost, and the Right of Access limits fees for your own records.

Do I need to give a reason for requesting my records?

No. You have a right to your records and do not need to justify the request. An unpaid bill is not a valid reason to withhold them.

What if the clinic closed or my doctor moved?

Records typically still exist and must be retained for a set period. They may be held by a successor practice, a storage vendor, or the state — a records service can help locate them.

This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Records-access rights and fees vary by state and facility; check with the specific provider for their process.