We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Locate Hospital Birth Records?

Nicole Madison
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,716
References
Share

The steps you'll need to take to locate hospital birth records may depend on why you are trying to locate them and whether they are your records or another party's. In general, you can contact the medical records department of a hospital to obtain birth records to which you are legally entitled. Usually, you will have to provide a written request for the records and sign forms to obtain them. If you want to obtain the records to perform genealogy research, you might begin your search using genealogy websites and by contacting the vital records department in the appropriate jurisdiction. In many cases, however, very old hospital records are difficult or even impossible to obtain, and you may have a bit more success with locating birth certificates and announcements.

To locate hospital birth records, you can start by contacting the hospital in question and asking to speak with someone in the medical records department. A representative of this department will likely inform you of the procedures for releasing information, and you will have to follow them to obtain the information you need. Usually, such requests will require you to sign a release-of-information form. In most cases, you will also have to prove your right to the information you are requesting. For example, you may have to demonstrate that you are requesting your own birth records or are the parent of the person in question.

If you are trying to locate hospital birth records for other reasons, such as genealogy research, your job may prove a bit harder. You might find a genealogy research or archive website helpful for getting started with this type of search. In many cases, however, people learn that very old hospital birth records have been destroyed or lost. If you do locate them, you may then face the hurdle of proving you have a right to access them based on the laws in the jurisdiction. In some cases, you might find it easier to locate announcements of birth and sometimes even birth certificates than to obtain hospital birth records.

Your jurisdiction's department of vital records may be a source of help when you want information about a relative's birth but do not need hospital birth records. Often, these departments have special procedures for individuals interested in birth information for genealogy research. If you really need hospital records, a department of vital records may provide information about the location and date of your relative's birth. Then, you can research the hospitals that were in the area at the time, and if they are still there, request the records you need.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Nicole Madison
By Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. Her passion for knowledge is evident in the well-researched and informative articles she authors. As a mother of four, Nicole balances work with quality family time activities such as reading, camping, and beach trips.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison's love for learning inspires her work as a WiseGeek writer, where she focuses on topics like...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-locate-hospital-birth-records.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.