Maryland
Medical Records Custodian & Retention Laws
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Maryland Medical Record Retention Law:
Md. Health-General s.4-403
- Adult patients: 7 years - NOT the 5 years widely repeated. A provider may not destroy a record before then unless the patient is notified.
- Patients who were minors: Until the patient attains the age of majority PLUS 7 years, again unless notice is given.
- The retention period runs from: The date the record or report was made.
- This applies to medical records and to laboratory and X-ray reports alike.
If you are closing, selling or relocating your practice Maryland sets out what has to happen to patient records. The points below are taken from the source above.
- On ceasing practice, retiring or death: the provider, the administrator of the estate, or a DESIGNEE shall forward the statutory notice BEFORE any destruction or transfer of records
- A designee may maintain the records only if it gives WRITTEN ASSURANCE TO THE RELEVANT HEALTH OCCUPATION BOARD that it will comply with s.4-403 - the custodian must give the board that assurance
- Early destruction is permitted only where the required patient notice has been given
Maryland closing-practice checklist
The same requirements as a checklist you can print and work through, with the retention periods, the notice each rule requires and what you may charge for copies.
Open the Maryland checklist →
Cost
No state copying-fee schedule was located for Maryland. Charges should be reasonable and cost-based.
Verified September 2026
This page summarises the source above and is not legal advice. Retention periods change and several states adjust their copying fees every year, so confirm the current text before you rely on a date or a figure.