SERVICE
Get public records from SF Public Health
Get public records, medical records or serve subpoenas to the Department of Public Health
What to do
Request a public record
Give a brief description of the record you want.
Be sure to tell us:
- The record title
- A date or date range for the record (if known)
- Your name and contact information
Response times:
DPH has 10 calendar days to respond to a public records request.
Under certain circumstances, we may add 14 calendar days to our response time.
We will let you know in writing within the first 10 days why we need the extension and give you an estimated response date.
Special cases
Submit an Immediate Disclosure Request
Immediate Disclosure Requests are requests for faster handling. DPH must respond to these requests by the close of the next business day after we get the request.
To submit a request online:
To submit a request by email:
Address your email to: DPH.sunshine@sfdph.org
Title it "Immediate Disclosure Request"
To submit a request by U.S. Mail:
Address your request to:
Custodian of Public Records
Department of Public Health
1145 Market Street
SF, CA 94103
include the words "Immediate Disclosure Request":
- Across the top of your request
- On the envelope
About the Sunshine Ordinance and California Public Records Act
The DPH public records request process is structured in accordance with the SF Sunshine Ordinance and the California Public Records Act.
We believe in the right of citizens to access information concerning the conduct of their government. Our goal is to conduct all activities with full transparency and openness.
Request medical records
Medical records can be requested in the following ways:
- By telephone at 628-206-8622
- Fax request to 628-206-8623
- Visit the Medical Records Office in person at 1001 Potrero Ave, Building 5, 2nd Floor, Room 2B.
Submit a subpoena
All subpoenas must be served per the California Evidence Code. No subpoenas concerning personal matters will be accepted. In accordance with San Francisco Charter Section 3.100, all Complaints, Summonses, Writs, Subpoenas, and any other pleadings or documents that are required to be personally served, must be hand-delivered to the Mayor’s Office at Office #200 of City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco 94102.
- Subpoenas for Medical Records: Email zsfgroi@sfdph.org, fax (628) 206-7599, or call (628) 206-8622.
- Subpoenas for Hospital/Facility Billing Records: Email SFHNPFSLegalRequests@sfdph.org.
- Subpoenas for deposition, hearing or trial: Email SFHNPFSLegalRequests@sfdph.org to set up an appointment to serve the subpoena in-person, along with a $15 check for the production fee and $275 witness fee, payable to SFDPH.
- Subpoenas for Physician Billing Records: Email sfghmedicalgroup@ucsf.edu or via phone at (415) 502-8162.
- Subpoenas for Radiology Records: Fax to (628) 206-8946.
- All other subpoenas: In person to Office #200 at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco 94102, along with a $15 check for the production fee and $275 witness fee, payable to SFDPH.
Looking for birth, death or marriage records?
Birth and death certificates from the past 3 years can be obtained from the Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records.
Birth and death certificates older than 3 years can be obtained from the Office of the County Clerk.
Records concerning marriage or dissolution of marriage are not kept by the Department of Public Health. Marriage certificates can be obtained from the Office of the Assessor-Recorder. Dissolution of marriage certificates can be obtained from the Superior Court of California.
Get help
Address
San Francisco, CA 94103
Mon - Fri, 8am to 5pm
What to do
Request a public record
Give a brief description of the record you want.
Be sure to tell us:
- The record title
- A date or date range for the record (if known)
- Your name and contact information
Response times:
DPH has 10 calendar days to respond to a public records request.
Under certain circumstances, we may add 14 calendar days to our response time.
We will let you know in writing within the first 10 days why we need the extension and give you an estimated response date.
Special cases
Submit an Immediate Disclosure Request
Immediate Disclosure Requests are requests for faster handling. DPH must respond to these requests by the close of the next business day after we get the request.
To submit a request online:
To submit a request by email:
Address your email to: DPH.sunshine@sfdph.org
Title it "Immediate Disclosure Request"
To submit a request by U.S. Mail:
Address your request to:
Custodian of Public Records
Department of Public Health
1145 Market Street
SF, CA 94103
include the words "Immediate Disclosure Request":
- Across the top of your request
- On the envelope
About the Sunshine Ordinance and California Public Records Act
The DPH public records request process is structured in accordance with the SF Sunshine Ordinance and the California Public Records Act.
We believe in the right of citizens to access information concerning the conduct of their government. Our goal is to conduct all activities with full transparency and openness.
Request medical records
Medical records can be requested in the following ways:
- By telephone at 628-206-8622
- Fax request to 628-206-8623
- Visit the Medical Records Office in person at 1001 Potrero Ave, Building 5, 2nd Floor, Room 2B.
Submit a subpoena
All subpoenas must be served per the California Evidence Code. No subpoenas concerning personal matters will be accepted. In accordance with San Francisco Charter Section 3.100, all Complaints, Summonses, Writs, Subpoenas, and any other pleadings or documents that are required to be personally served, must be hand-delivered to the Mayor’s Office at Office #200 of City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco 94102.
- Subpoenas for Medical Records: Email zsfgroi@sfdph.org, fax (628) 206-7599, or call (628) 206-8622.
- Subpoenas for Hospital/Facility Billing Records: Email SFHNPFSLegalRequests@sfdph.org.
- Subpoenas for deposition, hearing or trial: Email SFHNPFSLegalRequests@sfdph.org to set up an appointment to serve the subpoena in-person, along with a $15 check for the production fee and $275 witness fee, payable to SFDPH.
- Subpoenas for Physician Billing Records: Email sfghmedicalgroup@ucsf.edu or via phone at (415) 502-8162.
- Subpoenas for Radiology Records: Fax to (628) 206-8946.
- All other subpoenas: In person to Office #200 at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place, San Francisco 94102, along with a $15 check for the production fee and $275 witness fee, payable to SFDPH.
Looking for birth, death or marriage records?
Birth and death certificates from the past 3 years can be obtained from the Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records.
Birth and death certificates older than 3 years can be obtained from the Office of the County Clerk.
Records concerning marriage or dissolution of marriage are not kept by the Department of Public Health. Marriage certificates can be obtained from the Office of the Assessor-Recorder. Dissolution of marriage certificates can be obtained from the Superior Court of California.
Get help
Address
San Francisco, CA 94103
Mon - Fri, 8am to 5pm