State medical records law
New Jersey medical records laws
How do I get my medical records in New Jersey, and what can a provider charge?
New Jersey physicians and hospitals must provide copies of your records no later than 30 days after receiving your request. For your own records, New Jersey physicians and hospitals may charge no more than $1 per page or $50 for the entire record (per admission at a hospital), whichever is less, plus actual delivery cost. They may not charge you a search fee — the $20 search fee applies only to other requesters — and must waive fees for patients who cannot pay and meet the income or benefit-program test.
- Response deadline
- 30 days
- Copy fees
- $1.00/page
- Retention — hospitals
- 10 years after the most recent discharge, or until the patient reaches age 23, whichever is longer
How New Jersey differs from federal HIPAA
- Caps a patient's copy fees at $1 per page or $50 for the whole record, whichever is less.
- Requires free copies for low-income patients and patients on programs such as SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare.
How long a provider has to respond
New Jersey physicians and hospitals must provide copies of your records no later than 30 days after receiving your request.(N.J.S.A. 45:9-22.27, N.J.S.A. 26:2H-5n)
What a provider can charge
For your own records, New Jersey physicians and hospitals may charge no more than $1 per page or $50 for the entire record (per admission at a hospital), whichever is less, plus actual delivery cost. They may not charge you a search fee — the $20 search fee applies only to other requesters — and must waive fees for patients who cannot pay and meet the income or benefit-program test.(N.J.S.A. 45:9-22.27, N.J.S.A. 26:2H-5n)
- Paper copies
- $1 per page or $50 for the whole record (per admission at hospitals), whichever is less
- Electronic copies
- Same caps apply; X-rays and other images: up to $15 per printed image or $30 per CD/DVD, plus a $10 administrative fee
- When copies are free
- Free if you cannot pay and show income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level or enrollment in programs such as SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare; also free for certain Social Security disability claimants. Hospital billing records are free.
A provider cannot refuse to give you your records because you owe money for treatment. Compare every state on the medical records fees by state page.
How long records must be kept
- Hospitals: 10 years after the most recent discharge, or until the patient reaches age 23, whichever is longer(N.J.S.A. 26:8-5)
- Physician offices: 7 years from the date of the most recent entry(N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.5)
Minors and sensitive records
- Minors: Hospitals must keep a minor's records until at least age 23 (or 10 years after discharge, if longer). The physician rule sets no separate minors' period.(N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.5, N.J.S.A. 26:8-5)
If a provider doesn't comply
HIPAA has no private right of action — file with HHS OCR.(NJ State Board of Medical Examiners FAQ, NJ Department of Health — How to file a complaint)
New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners (Division of Consumer Affairs)
physicians · (609) 826-7134 (complaint status)
New Jersey Department of Health — Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing
hospitals and licensed health care facilities · 800-792-9770
HIPAA violations by any covered entity, within 180 days
How to request your records in New Jersey
- Ask the provider's medical records (health information) department for its request form, or write your own request with your name, date of birth, dates of care, the records you want, and the format (paper or electronic).
- Keep a copy and note the date — the 30 days clock runs from when the provider receives it.
- If the deadline passes or the bill exceeds the rules above, use the complaint routes on this page.
Templates and step-by-step help are on the records-access hub. Find a New Jersey hospital's records office, or browse hospitals in New Jersey.
Common questions about New Jersey medical records
How long does a New Jersey provider have to give me my records?
Physicians and hospitals must provide copies no later than 30 days after receiving your request.(N.J.S.A. 45:9-22.27, N.J.S.A. 26:2H-5n)
How much can a New Jersey doctor charge for copies?
No more than $1 per page or $50 for the entire record, whichever is less, plus actual delivery cost. A doctor may not charge you a search fee for your own records.(N.J.S.A. 45:9-22.27)
How much can a New Jersey hospital charge for copies?
No more than $1 per page or $50 per admission record, whichever is less. Hospitals may not charge you a search fee for your own records, and billing records are free.(N.J.S.A. 26:2H-5n)
Can a New Jersey doctor refuse to release my records because I owe money?
A physician may not refuse to provide records another health care professional needs to treat you because you owe a balance. The Board says other records may be held until copying costs are paid.(N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.5, NJ State Board of Medical Examiners FAQ)
How long are medical records kept in New Jersey?
Physicians must keep records 7 years from the most recent entry. Hospitals must keep them 10 years after the most recent discharge or until the patient turns 23, whichever is longer.(N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.5, N.J.S.A. 26:8-5)
Where can I complain if a New Jersey provider won't release my records?
Complaints about doctors go to the State Board of Medical Examiners (status line (609) 826-7134); complaints about hospitals go to the Department of Health hotline at 800-792-9770. You can also file with the HHS Office for Civil Rights within 180 days.(NJ State Board of Medical Examiners FAQ, NJ Department of Health — How to file a complaint)
Can I get my medical records free in New Jersey?
Yes, if you cannot pay and show income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, or that you are enrolled in a program such as SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, or NJ FamilyCare. Certain Social Security disability claimants also get free copies.(N.J.S.A. 45:9-22.27, N.J.S.A. 26:2H-5n)
Sources
Checked against official sources on November 3, 2026.
- N.J.A.C. 13:35-6.5 — Board of Medical Examiners — preparation, retention and access to patient records (Cornell LII mirror; last amended eff. 6/6/2011) (official text via a public mirror)
- N.J.A.C. 8:43G-15.3 — Hospital licensing — medical records access and fees (Cornell LII mirror; last amended eff. 2/22/2011) (official text via a public mirror)
- N.J.S.A. 26:8-5 — Institutional (hospital) records retention (Justia mirror, 2025 edition) (official text via a public mirror)
- NJ State Board of Medical Examiners FAQ — What is the State Board of Medical Examiners? (complaints, records)
- NJ Department of Health — How to file a complaint — Health facility complaints (Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing)
- 45 CFR 164.524 — HIPAA right of access
- N.J.S.A. 45:9-22.27 — Copies of medical records from Board of Medical Examiners licensees — fees, waivers, deadline (P.L.2019, c.217, as amended) (official text via a public mirror)
- N.J.S.A. 26:2H-5n — Copies of hospital medical records — fees, waivers, deadline (as amended through P.L.2022, c.114) (official text via a public mirror)