To request medical records for persons hospitalized in the last 10 years, please contact the specific hospital in which treatment was provided.

An Authorization for Request of Information form must be completed before a records request can be processed. Please note, records maintained by the Department may only be released pursuant to the provisions contained in Ohio Revised Code Section 5122.31. Generally, patients, guardians and executors of deceased patients’ estates are allowed access to records, however certain restrictions may apply.

If the hospital is in possession of the records requested, please allow up to 4 weeks to process the request. Cost shall be determined at the time of the request.

Records Older than 10 Years

According to the OhioMHAS records retention policy, medical records are destroyed 10 years after the patient’s last discharge date. Occasionally, records are sent to the Ohio History Center to be archived. Please visit the Ohio History Center for information on archived records. You may also wish to contact your local county Bureau of Vital Statistics to request information pertaining to medical records.

Burial Records

Burial records of former patients are no longer maintained by the OhioMHAS. Please contact the Ohio History Center and/or the State Library of Ohio regarding this information.

The Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections serves as a repository for some records formerly held by the Athens Asylum on behalf of the Ohio History Center. Please contact: 

Douglas E. McCabe
Curator of Manuscripts, Mahn Center
Alden Library
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
740-593-2715