[jantex3]

What is the first step to take, as a birth mom, to get my hospital records? I do not live in the state that my daughter was born in. Will I be able to do this by computer? Will I have to go , in person, to do this?
Thx,Jan

[Juliana13]

Call the hospital and they will tell you. They will likely send (or fax, if you have a fax) the forms you need to have your records released. Then you just fill them out, sign and mail them in and they will send your stuff to you.

[kathyfitzie]

Can I ask what state your daughter was born in?

[SuddenlySusan]

There is also the possibility that the forms you fill out will need to be notarized, but you can probably obtain that service at your local bank.

Ask for the medical records department when you call the hospital.

Good luck,
Susan

[RavenSong]

Just a "heads up"... You also have the right to obtain a copy of your child's nursery records, if you want to see them. You were the legal mother when he or she was born, and retained custody up until you signed the voluntary relinquishment papers. As such, you have a right to those nursery records...

[jantex3]

Daughter was born in Miami, Fl.

[SuddenlySusan]

Originally Posted by RavenSong

Just a "heads up"... You also have the right to obtain a copy of your child's nursery records, if you want to see them. You were the legal mother when he or she was born, and retained custody up until you signed the voluntary relinquishment papers. As such, you have a right to those nursery records...

I have read that you can only obtain those records if the child is still under 18, or 21 (I forget which). If the child is no longer a minor, then you need the child's consent to obtain that record. I haven't tried, so I'm not sure ... it's just what I have read.

Good luck,
Susan

[RavenSong]

Originally Posted by SuddenlySusan

I have read that you can only obtain those records if the child is still under 18, or 21 (I forget which). If the child is no longer a minor, then you need the child's consent to obtain that record. I haven't tried, so I'm not sure ... it's just what I have read.

Good luck,
Susan

Susan, I was able to obtain my son's nursery records when he was 18 years old. This was in San Diego, California ~ you're right, it may depend on each state's laws or regulations governing medical records. It also didn't hurt that I spoke personally to the Director of Medical Records at the hospital where he was born when I was requesting them. She was an adoptive mother, and we really hit it off...

[bryanfogle]

what about the child. can they request their nursery record from the hospital they were born in?

[SuddenlySusan]

Bryan, that is my understanding... that as an adult you are able to request that record. It not only may vary from state to state, but sometimes it just depends on who picks up the phone. Sad but true. I would speak with the medical records director. I have also heard that they are more sympathetic if you have some kind of medical reason.

I'd give it a try, Bryan. Call them up -- what do you have to lose?

Good luck,
Susan

[bryanfogle]

i will try it and i will let you know the outcome.

the only thing is, i was born in modesto city hospital in which they are not there anymore.

[Longtimewaiting]

I called medical records at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft Lauderdale, and was told that they only keep the records for 10 years.

[SuddenlySusan]

I used to work in a medical records dept, and they kept "archives" in a warehouse, back as far as 30 years, I think. Recent records, like going back 10 years, were either in medical records or in the hospital basement.

I wonder if state laws have anything to do with how long records are kept?

I can see if a hospital burns down that they wouldn't have the records. But, if they close for whatever reason, it seems that the records still need to be maintained for a certain period of time.

Hospitals must be accredited by the state, perhaps that info is in state administrative code?