← Georgia medical records custodian and retention laws

Georgia — Medical Records Checklist

For a practice that is closing, being sold, relocating or whose physician is retiring. Prepared 21 September 2026.

How long records must be kept

Adult patients: No less than 10 years.
Patients who were minors: The Composite Medical Board rule sets no separate minors period. The '10 years after the patient turns 18, or 28 years from last service' formulation circulating elsewhere does NOT appear in this rule - do not rely on it without checking.
Clock starts: The patient's last office visit.

Before you close — what this state requires

Rule 360-3-.02(b): the 10-year duty does NOT apply to a physician who has RETIRED FROM or SOLD the practice, provided ALL of the following are done:
1. Notify active patients BY MAIL at their last known address, offering records or copies to another provider of the patient's choice, or to the patient on request
2. PUBLISH notice in the newspaper of greatest circulation in EACH county where the physician practiced, AND in a local newspaper serving the immediate practice area, stating the date of retirement/sale and the same offer
3. Post a CONSPICUOUS SIGN in or on the facade of the office, placed 30 DAYS BEFORE retirement/sale and kept until that date
4. Both the notice and the sign must advise patients of their opportunity to transfer or receive their records
(c) warns the period may be shorter than needed to defend against other actions - physicians may wish to take private advice

Where this comes from

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 360-3-.02(a) (Composite Medical Board)
https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/360-3

Read this before you act on it. Every statement above was taken from the state's own published rule or statute and is quoted or closely paraphrased from it. It is a working checklist, not legal advice, and it is a snapshot: retention periods change, and several states adjust their copying fees every year. Confirm the current text with the source listed above, or with your attorney, before you rely on a date or a dollar figure.

Figures stated as of: Verified September 2026

Prepared by Morgan Records Management for Georgia. Checklist built 21 September 2026.