How to Get Your Parent's Nursing Home Records in California

Table of Contents

How can I get my parent’s nursing home records in California?

California’s patient records law treats a health facility licensed under Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code (commencing with section 1250) as a health care provider (Health and Safety Code section 123105). A patient or the patient’s personal representative can ask that provider to inspect the records, and the provider must permit inspection during business hours within five working days after receiving the request (Health and Safety Code section 123110). Copies must be transmitted within 15 days after the request is received.

Who can ask on a parent’s behalf

The law lists who counts as a patient’s representative (Health and Safety Code section 123105). For an adult, that includes the guardian or conservator of the person and an agent as defined in Probate Code section 4607, to the extent the agent needs the records to carry out the agent’s duties.

After a parent has died

For a deceased patient, the representative includes the beneficiary, as defined in Probate Code section 24, or the personal representative, as defined in Probate Code section 58 (Health and Safety Code section 123105).

The resident’s own federal rights

A resident of a nursing home that takes part in Medicare or Medicaid (42 CFR 483.1 (Basis and scope)) has a federal right to access personal and medical records on an oral or written request within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays (42 CFR 483.10(g)(2) (Resident access to records)). A resident can get copies with 2 working days’ advance notice to the facility. The facility may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee limited to staff time for copying, supplies for a paper copy or portable media, and postage if mailing is requested.

Making the request

Put the request in writing, date it and keep a copy.
Name the records you want, such as nursing notes, care plans, medication records and any incident reports.
Include the document that shows your role, such as letters of conservatorship, a power of attorney for health care or proof that you are the personal representative.
Write down the date the facility received the request so you can track the deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring someone with me when I inspect the records?

Yes. Under the state records law, the person inspecting may be accompanied by one other person of their choosing (Health and Safety Code section 123110).

Is there a limit on what a facility can charge for paper copies?

State law caps the charge for paper copies at 25 cents per page (Health and Safety Code section 123110).

If you think the records will show your parent was neglected, call the Law Offices of J. Chrisp 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477) for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.

About the Law Offices of J. Chrisp

The Law Offices of J. Chrisp is a Northern California personal injury law firm founded by attorney Jesse Chrisp, who was raised in Lake County. The firm represents injured people, with offices in Lower Lake (main office), Santa Rosa and San Francisco, and serves Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties and the San Francisco Bay Area. Consultations are free, the firm works on a contingency fee with no fee unless the firm wins, and the phone is answered 24/7 at 877-J-CHRISP (877-524-7477). The firm was named to Best Law Firms 2026 (Tier 1, Santa Rosa, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs). Jesse Chrisp has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2024 and selected to Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2026.

How to Get Your Parent’s Nursing Home Records in California