How to Obtain a CDPH Medical Record

Doctor managing digital health records

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) manages Mental Health, STI, and WIC clinics; we are only able to access the medical records of our CDPH Clinics. Be sure to review the attached list of current and former CDPH clinics before contacting CDPH for records. Please note that while some clinics still exist, they may no longer be CDPH clinics and may be operated by other health care agencies. CDPH does not have access to medical records generated outside of CDPH. 

  • CDPH is not affiliated with private medical facilities or hospitals and does not have access to those medical records.
  • CDPH is only required to keep records for 10 years from the last date of service.
  • You may need to present a valid authorization before a record is released.

Learn more about the CDPH Office of Compliance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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For medical records or a paramedic report related to Chicago Fire Department Emergency Medical Services (e.g: ambulance), contact:

  • The Chicago Fire Department
    Attn: Medical Records
    3510 S. Michigan Ave., 2nd Floor
    Chicago, IL 60653
  • 312.745.4222

The Cook County Clerk’s office is the official record keeper for births, marriages, civil unions, and deaths that occur in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Please visit www.cookcountyclerkil.gov

If the event occurred in Illinois but outside of Cook County, please contact the Illinois Department of Public Health at https://dph.illinois.gov

You can see your vaccination history by using the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) self-service portal, Vax Verify, or by filling out and submitting a request to IDPH. Please visit dph.illinois.gov for more information.

If you don’t have a copy of your childhood vaccination records at home, call your healthcare provider or medical clinic where you received a vaccination shot. You can also check with your high school/college or previous employers that may have required immunizations. Former CPS students can request immunization records by contacting CPS at www.cps.edu.

Finally, you can call the CDPH Immunization Program directly at 312.746.6129 to submit a request to check the I-CARE state immunization registry.

No. The Chicago Department of Public Health does not have access to any hospital medical records.

No. The Chicago Department of Public Health does not have access to these medical records.

Important Information About Medical Records from CDPH

  • CDPH is not connected with private medical facilities or hospitals and does not have access to their medical records.
  • CDPH typically only has access to records for those treated by CDPH healthcare providers. CDPH also has access to records for a very limited number of patients treated at the McCormick Place Convention in Spring 2020.
  • Generally, CDPH keeps records for up to 10 years from the patient's last date of service.
  • You may need to provide a valid authorization before any records can be released.

How to Submit a Medical Records Request

To help us process your request quickly and accurately, please:

  • Provide the location where the patient received care, including whether the patient received care at home.
  • Some clinics may still be located in the same place but are no longer operated by CDPH. These clinics may now run by other health care providers. For those locations, we only have access to records from the time when our department was managing the clinic. The availability of records depends on how long ago the clinic transitioned to new management. CDPH only has access to records from its own clinics and healthcare providers.

Clinics currently operated by CDPH:

  • Mental Health Clinics
  • STI Clinics
  • WIC Clinics

Before sending your request, please check the list of current and former CDPH clinic locations to confirm the facility is part of CDPH.

Other healthcare services provided by CDPH:

  • Immunization program
  • Tuberculosis program (TB)
  • CDPH Lead Poisoning Prevention program
  • Family Connects program
  • CARE program

How to Submit Your Request (if the clinic is listed):

  • Email: CDPHCompliance@cityofchicago.org
  • In Person: Visit any current CDPH clinic site
  • By Mail:
    • Attn: Compliance Medical Records
    • 111 W Washington, 4th Floor
    • Chicago, IL 60602

Authorization Forms

To release medical records, a valid authorization form may be required. Please make sure that your authorization:

  • Includes all necessary details such as patient name, date of birth, the specific records requested, and where to send the records.
  • Is completed and signed by the patient or their legal representative.
  • Includes proof of legal authority, if signed by someone other than the patient.

Authorization forms are available for download below:

If you need help completing these forms, please contact us at CDPHCompliance@cityofchicago.org.

Fees

Fees for Medical Record requests, listed below, are calculated based on the number of pages copied and are adjusted annually as required by Illinois law. An invoice may be sent to the requestor if the request requires payment.

2025 Fee Schedule

Fee 2025
Handling Charge $35.73
Copy pages 1 through 25 $1.34 per page
Copy pages 26 through 50 $0.89 per page
Copy pages in excess of 50 $0.45 per page
Copies made from microfiche or microfilm $2.23 per page
  • Copying Costs: Reasonable fees may apply to cover copying costs, including outside copy services, postage, and a handling fee.
  • Special Materials: For items like X-rays or photographs that can't be copied with standard equipment, the requestor may be charged the actual duplication cost.
  • Digital Records: If records are stored digitally (e.g., scanned or electronic files), the fee is 50% of the standard paper copy rate. This includes the cost of CDs, DVDs, or other storage media.
  • Electronic Format: If your records are already in digital format, they will be provided electronically if requested. If that isn't possible, you'll receive a written explanation.

CDPH will provide one copy of a patient's records free of charge to a patient or an authorized representative (including Executors and Administrators) for:

  1. The patient's own medical records
  2. Benefit Claims: Medical records to support claims for:
    1. Federal veterans' disability benefits.
    2. Federal Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits; or
    3. Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled benefits.

Additionally, CDPH may issue one free copy of the requested records if the requestor can provide evidence that they receive a federal, state, or local means-tested benefit, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Learn more about the CDPH Office of Compliance.