Timeline: 30 business days from a written request
You have the right to see and get a copy of your own medical records. Private clinics in BC fall under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and should respond within 30 business days of receiving a written request. [1][2]
In some cases the clinic can extend the deadline by up to another 30 days, and it must tell you the reason and the new date. If you get no response, you can ask the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) to review. [1][2]
Hospitals and other public bodies are covered by a different law (FOIPPA), and the request goes to the health authority. [1]
Fees: only a minimal amount, with a written estimate first
A clinic may charge a minimal fee, but it has to give a written estimate before charging. The 2026 fees suggested by Doctors of BC are below. Actual fees differ between clinics, so go by the clinic's quote. [2][4]
| Item | Suggested fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| Basic fee to transfer records | $45.05 |
| Copying, first 10 pages | $2.30 per page |
| Copying, pages after that | $0.30 per page |
Transfer to a new doctor: no waiting for payment
Sending records to a new doctor so your care can continue is a separate matter. The CPSBC records management standard requires the transfer to be done promptly and says it must not be delayed while waiting for payment. [3]
How long records are kept
Under the CPSBC standard, records are kept for at least 16 years from the last entry. For a minor, the 16 years run from the day the patient reaches adulthood. When a clinic closes, someone still has to hold the records, and CPSBC can be asked if it is unclear where they went. [3]
Much of it can be viewed online
Many results do not need a request to the clinic. Log in to the provincial Health Gateway with the BC Services Card app to see: [5]
- Lab results and imaging reports
- Medications dispensed by BC pharmacies
- Immunization records
- Visit and hospitalization records
- Cancer screening letters
Before seeking care abroad or changing doctors, taking screenshots or downloading from Health Gateway is usually faster than asking the clinic. [5]
Tips for writing the request
- Put it in writing (letter or email) and keep the date you sent it. [1]
- State the period and the content you want, for example lab and imaging reports from the last two years.
- If the clinic gives a fee estimate, read it before agreeing. [2]
- If the deadline passes without a reply, consider asking OIPC for a review. [1]