If you are switching doctors, filing an insurance claim, seeking treatment abroad, or simply want your own health history on file, knowing how to get a copy of a medical record in the UAE gives you control over your information. Patients in the UAE have the right to request copies of their medical records, and every licensed hospital and clinic is required to maintain those records and make them available to the patient or their authorized representative.
The process is handled by the medical records (health information) department of the facility where you were treated. You can apply in person with your Emirates ID, and many hospitals now let you request or view records through their patient portals and apps. This guide explains both options, who is eligible, what it costs, and how your privacy is protected along the way.
Quick Answer
To get a copy of a medical record in the UAE, submit a request to the medical records department of the hospital or clinic that treated you, presenting your original Emirates ID. Fill in the records request form, specify which visits or documents you want copied (consultation notes, lab results, scans, discharge summaries), pay the copying fee, and collect the copies on the date given — usually within a few working days. Parents can request for minor children, and anyone else needs your written authorization. Many larger hospitals also offer digital access through their patient app with UAE PASS login.
Medical Record vs Medical Report: What’s the Difference
People often mix these up, and asking for the wrong one wastes time and money:
| Medical record copy | Medical report | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Photocopies or printouts of the actual documents in your file — notes, lab results, X-rays, prescriptions | A new summary document written by the doctor for a specific purpose |
| Prepared by | Medical records staff (copies of existing documents) | The treating doctor (freshly written and signed) |
| Best for | Second opinions, changing doctors, personal files, treatment abroad | Employers, insurers, courts, visa applications |
| Cost | Usually a per-page copying fee | A professional fee for the doctor’s time |
If you need a doctor’s signed summary rather than raw copies, read our guide on how to request a medical report instead.
How to Get a Copy of a Medical Record Online
Digital access is the quickest way to get your records, and it is expanding across the UAE:
Hospital patient portals and apps
Most large hospital groups — in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the northern emirates — run patient portals or mobile apps where you can view lab results, radiology reports, prescriptions, and visit summaries after logging in with UAE PASS. Check the “medical records” or “health information” section of your hospital’s app; many let you download documents as PDFs directly.
Dubai
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) provides online health services through its portal, and DHA-run hospitals increasingly make visit records available to patients digitally. Private hospitals in Dubai generally have their own apps with similar features.
Abu Dhabi
SEHA facilities offer records access through their patient app, and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi oversees the emirate’s health information exchange, which connects facility records so your history follows you between providers.
Government portals
The UAE’s official government portal, u.ae, links to federal health e-services, including those of the Ministry of Health and Prevention for its hospitals in Sharjah and the northern emirates. If your hospital has no app, its website is the next place to look for a records request form.
Online copies are convenient, but note two limits: portals usually show recent visits only (older records may still need an in-person request), and some documents — such as full imaging files on CD — are only issued at the counter.
How to Get a Copy of a Medical Record in Person
For complete files, older visits, or certified copies, visit the medical records department in person:
- Bring your original Emirates ID. This is non-negotiable — copies are verified against the original at the counter.
- Fill in the records request form. Be specific about what you want: “all records from 2023–2026,” “lab results from my March visit,” or “the complete file.” Vague requests (“everything”) slow things down because staff must confirm the scope with you anyway.
- Provide identifying details — your hospital file number if you have it (found on old prescriptions or discharge papers), approximate visit dates, and the treating doctor’s or department’s name.
- Pay the copying fee. Most facilities charge per page, with separate rates for plain copies and certified or stamped copies. Ask for the fee schedule before you confirm the scope of a large file.
- Collect on the stated date. Keep your payment receipt and bring your ID again at collection — copies are released only to the patient or the authorized person named on the request.
If you have requested records before, repeat requests are usually faster, since the facility already has your file number and authorization on record.
Who Can Receive the Copies
Like medical reports, record copies are released only to authorized people:
- The patient — with original Emirates ID.
- Parents or legal guardians — for minors, with proof of guardianship.
- An authorized person — with a signed authorization letter or power of attorney from the patient, plus both parties’ IDs.
- Legal representatives — lawyers acting under a valid POA, typically for insurance or court matters.
- Another healthcare provider — hospitals can share records directly with your new doctor, but only with your written consent.
Facilities keep a log of every disclosure, so there is a record of who received your information and when. For a deeper look at these protections, see medical record privacy explained.
Documents and Authorization You Will Need
- Original Emirates ID of the patient.
- Hospital file or medical record number (helpful but not always mandatory).
- Visit details: approximate dates, department, or doctor’s name.
- Signed authorization letter or POA, if applying for someone else — include the patient’s Emirates ID copy, your own ID, and the specific records requested.
- For deceased patients, immediate family members typically need the death certificate, proof of relationship, and sometimes a court or legal document — requirements vary, so call the facility first.
Fees and Timelines: What to Expect
Copying fees are generally modest — most facilities charge a small per-page rate, with government hospitals typically cheaper than private ones. Certified or stamped copies cost more per page. Because fee schedules differ by facility, always ask for the current rates at the counter or on the hospital’s website before submitting a large request.
Timelines depend on the size and age of the file:
- Recent visits, small file: often same day or within 1–2 working days.
- Complete multi-year file: typically 3–7 working days.
- Archived records (several years old): can take 1–2 weeks while files are retrieved from storage.
If you need copies urgently — for a flight, a surgery date, or an insurance deadline — say so when you apply; many departments offer an express service for an additional fee.
Your Privacy Rights
Your medical records are protected under UAE health data regulations. In practice, this means:
- Facilities must verify your identity before releasing anything.
- You can ask what information has been shared and with whom.
- You can request corrections to inaccurate information in your file.
- Records cannot be sold or shared for marketing without your explicit consent.
If you spot an error in the copies you receive, do not correct it yourself — ask the facility to amend the record properly. Our guide on how to request access to medical records covers your access rights in more detail.
Organizing and Storing Your Copies
Once you have your records, keep them somewhere you can actually find them:
- Scan paper copies and store them in a clearly named digital folder, backed up in at least two places.
- Keep certified or attested copies separate from plain copies — you will need the certified versions for official use.
- File records chronologically by facility, so a new doctor can follow your history at a glance.
For a full system, read how to keep digital medical records and how to organize your medical documents. If you are building a complete picture of available services, the complete healthcare services guide is a good starting point — and keep your health insurance documents alongside your medical files, since claims usually require both.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long are medical records kept in the UAE?
Licensed facilities are required to retain patient records for a set number of years under health authority regulations, so records from several years ago are usually still available — though older files may be archived and take longer to retrieve. If a clinic has closed, contact the emirate’s health authority for guidance on where its records were transferred.
Can I get copies of my child’s medical records?
Yes. Parents and legal guardians can request copies for minor children with the child’s Emirates ID and proof of guardianship, such as a birth certificate or family book.
Can my new doctor request my records directly?
Yes, with your written consent. Many hospitals have a provider-to-provider transfer process, which is often faster than collecting copies yourself and handing them over.
Are digital copies from a patient app legally valid?
Downloads from an official hospital portal are generally accepted for personal use, second opinions, and many insurance claims. For courts, embassies, or use abroad, you will usually need stamped or certified copies from the medical records department.
What if the facility refuses to give me my records?
A licensed facility cannot unreasonably refuse a patient’s own request. If you hit a wall, escalate to the hospital’s patient relations office, and if that fails, file a complaint with the emirate’s health authority (DHA in Dubai, DoH in Abu Dhabi, MOHAP in the northern emirates).
Do I have to pay for copies of my own records?
In most cases, yes — facilities charge a copying or administrative fee, though viewing your records through a patient app is usually free. Fee schedules vary, so check with the specific facility.
The Bottom Line
Getting a copy of a medical record in the UAE is your right as a patient, and the process is simple: identify the facility, prove who you are, specify what you need, and pay the copying fee. Use the hospital’s app for quick access to recent results, and visit the medical records counter for complete or certified files. Keep your copies organized and stored safely — good records today save you time, money, and repeated tests tomorrow.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.