Frequently Asked Questions

A patient, friend, or family member may ask you how they can access patient records. If they do, you can look here for the answer.

1. How do I get a copy of my medical records?
2. How to send copy of a relative's medical record to the family physician?
3. How to get an official birth certificate from Mount Sinai Hospital?
4. How do I get access to my time of birth?
5. How to get access to records for a relative who is unable to sign an authorization form?
6. How to get medical records for traveling purposes?
7. How do I change information on a medical record?
8. How to get medical records for insurance purposes?
9. How to get access medical records without a will?
10. Why have my medical records not been sent to my family physician?
11. What is the cost for getting a copy of my medical record?
12. How do I copy my medical record?
13. How do I review my medical record?
14. How are health records stored at Mount Sinai Hospital?

1. How do I get a copy of my medical records?

A: You must request this in writing by completing the Consent for Disclosure of Health Information PDF form. The completed form (with an applicable fee) must be signed, dated, witnessed and mailed to:

Mount Sinai Hospital
Health Records Services
460-600 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1X5

416-586-4800 ext. 2649

2. My parent(s) or relative/friend would like his/her records be sent to his/her family physician. How can I access these records?

A: Your parent(s) or relative/friend will have to request this in writing by completing the Consent for Disclosure of Health Information PDF form. The completed form (with an applicable fee) must be signed, dated, witnessed and mailed to Mount Sinai Hospital at the address above.

3. My child was born at Mount Sinai Hospital and will be traveling out of the country with me in the near future. The official birth certificate I applied for has not yet arrived. How do I get one from the Hospital?

A: Mount Sinai does not issue birth certificates. However, we can provide you with a letter stating that your child was born at Mount Sinai Hospital. To receive this letter; you must request this in writing by completing the Consent for Disclosure of Health Information PDF form . The completed form, for each child, (with applicable fee) must be signed, dated, witnessed and mailed to Mount Sinai Hospital at the address in question #1. To obtain a copy of your birth certificate, please contact The Office of the Registrar General at 416-325-8305.

4. How can I get access to my time of birth?

A: You must request this in writing by completing the Consent for Disclosure of Health Information PDF form. Please include your mother’s first and last names at the time of your birth. The completed form (with an applicable fee) must be signed, dated, witnessed and mailed to Mount Sinai Hospital at the address in question #1. NOTE: We might also request your mother’s signature depending on what year you were born.

5. My relative would like her/his record forwarded to a new doctor but is unable to sign a release form. How can I get access to these records?

A: An authorization must be issued by the patient’s Power of Attorney for Personal Care or Legal Next of Kin to request records. The request must be in writing, stating why the patient is unable to sign a consent form. The Consent for Disclosure of Health Information form PDF must be completed (with an applicable fee), signed by the patient’s Power of Attorney for Personal Care or Legal Next of Kin, dated, witnessed and mailed to Mount Sinai Hospital at the address in question #1.

6. My parent(s) is traveling and would like to have her/his record with them. How can they get access?

A: Your parents must request this in writing by completing the Consent for Disclosure of Health Information form PDF . The completed form (with the applicable fee) must be signed, dated, witnessed and mailed to Mount Sinai Hospital at the address in question #1.

7. My wife used her maiden name when our child was born. Is it possible to change the records to her married name?

A: Unfortunately, we cannot make changes to patient records when the information is correct for the purposes of the care that was provided. If you have a concern about the correctness of information for the purposes of future care, please contact your physician. If you are unhappy with your physician's response, please contact the Corporate Privacy Officer.

8. My friend passed away and the family would like his/her records for insurance purposes. How can the family access these records?

A: The Estate Trustee must sign a Consent for Disclosure of Health Information form PDF . The completed and signed form (with the applicable fee) should be mailed to Mount Sinai Hospital at the address in question #1.

9. I was told to get a copy of proof of "Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee with a Will" or "Certificate of Appointment of Estate Trustee without a Will" in order to get my mother/father’s records. He/she never made a will. How do I go about getting these records?

A: When someone dies without a will, an Estate Trustee without a Will is authorized to release the information. You must check with the Court for this document.

10. I have called your office a few times to have my records sent to my family physician. But according to her/him my records have not been sent. Why not?

A: If your family physician’s name is listed on your chart, a copy of your records will be sent to him automatically, without further consent. If your doctor’s name is not listed on your chart, you must complete Consent for Disclosure of Health Information PDF form. The completed form (with an applicable fee) must be signed, dated, witnessed and mailed to the address in question #1

11. Why is there a fee?

A: Fees are collected for processing purposes, which include retrieval and photocopying. For a complete list of fees, please see the fees section of this site.

12. Can I copy the records myself?

A: Charts cannot be removed from the Hospital. Photocopying can only be performed by health records personnel.

13. Can I look at my medical record? It is mine, isn't it?

A: Mount Sinai employees will gather pertinent medical information in order to give you the best medical care possible. Since the Hospital is collecting, documenting, holding and maintaining the record, the record that contains this information belongs to the Hospital and will be accessed only in the most secure of settings. You may view your record in the presence and with the approval of the attending physician.

14.Where is my health record stored?

A: Health Records for inpatients and day surgery, emergency, and medical daycare patients, are maintained by the Mount Sinai Hospital Health Records department. Many departments within the Hospital, including Medical Imaging, maintain patient health records. Each clinic and physician office at Mount Sinai Hospital maintains its own health record that is separate from the records maintained by the Health Records and Medical Imaging departments.