# How to Get Copies of Your Sleep Study Records > Your sleep study report, titration data and CPAP prescription are useful when you move or change doctors. Here is how to request them. Canonical: https://findsleepdoctors.com/articles/how-to-get-sleep-study-records Last updated: 2026-10-30 What sleep study records to request, how to ask for them, fees and timelines, and how to transfer them across countries. Updated 2026-10-26 · 6 min read · Sleep Doctor Near Me editorial. **Quick answer:** Ask the sleep clinic or hospital records department for your sleep study report, the raw data if available, the titration report, your CPAP prescription and clinic notes. You usually need to sign a release form and may pay a copying fee. Keep your own copy, especially if you move, change doctors or travel. Rules and timelines vary by country. You had a sleep study years ago. You are seeing a new doctor, moving abroad, or trying to understand why your treatment is not working. The first obstacle is often not medicine. It is paperwork. Your sleep records belong to the clinical record, and you generally have a right to access them. Knowing what to ask for makes the process faster. ## What to request - **The sleep study report** — the interpreted summary with diagnoses and severity - **The raw data** — if available, especially for a second opinion or research - **The titration report** — the pressure recommendation and residual events - **CPAP prescription** — device type, pressure or range, mask type - **Clinic notes** — follow-up assessments and treatment changes - **Oximetry or home test results** — if done separately Ask for the full report, not just a one-line summary. The details matter for a new clinician. ## How to request Contact the clinic or hospital's health records department. Many have a form you can complete online, by email or in person. You may need to provide identification and specify the dates and types of records. If someone else is requesting on your behalf, they may need written authorization. Keep a copy of the request and note the date. If you do not hear back within the stated timeframe, follow up in writing. ## Fees and timelines Rules vary. Some providers release records free of charge; others charge a copying or administrative fee. Timelines can range from days to several weeks. In the US, HIPAA generally requires access within 30 days, with some extensions. In the UK, GDPR and NHS rules set different timelines. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland have their own privacy laws. Ask about fees before the request is processed, especially if you need a large file or raw data. ## Raw data and formats Sleep study raw data is often stored in European Data Format (EDF) or a proprietary format. Not every clinic will release raw data, and some may not have the software to export it. Ask whether a PDF report and the scoring summary are available. For a second opinion, the interpreted report is usually enough. If you use CPAP, your machine's data can be exported to a memory card or app. Bring that to your appointment as well. ## If records are lost Old studies are sometimes archived or destroyed after the retention period. If the original is unavailable, ask for the clinic's summary letter or a reconstructed report. A new sleep study may be needed if the information is essential. Do not assume the absence of records means you do not need treatment. ## Cross-border care If you are moving or seeking care abroad, ask for records in English and, if possible, a summary letter from your clinician. Health systems use different terms and reference ranges. A short letter explaining your diagnosis, treatment and response is more useful than a stack of raw numbers. Check whether the receiving clinic accepts emailed PDFs or requires original documents. Some countries have stricter rules about transferring health data. ## Requesting records for a child Parents or guardians usually need to provide proof of authority. Ask the clinic what it requires. Keep the child's sleep studies, growth records and treatment history together, especially when transitioning to adult care. ## Electronic access Many health systems offer patient portals with visit notes, test results and medication lists. Check whether the sleep study report is available there before making a formal request. Some portals do not include raw data or outside records. ## Privacy and sharing You choose who receives your records. A clinic may share them for continuity of care, but you can ask how they will be sent and to whom. If you are sharing with a family member, specify which parts they can see. ## What to do with the records Store digital copies in a secure folder and keep a paper copy of the most important summary. Share only what is needed with a new clinician. If you are using a patient portal, download the report rather than relying on long-term access. ## Using records for a second opinion A second opinion is more useful when the new clinician can see the original study, not just a summary. Send the report, the titration data and a note about what you want reviewed. Ask whether they need the raw data before you pay for an export. ## If access is refused Ask for the reason in writing. Common reasons include incomplete authorization, fees, or a belief that the records would cause harm. You may have a right to appeal or complain to a privacy regulator. Ask the provider's patient representative for help. Do not pay unexpected fees without a breakdown. Ask what each charge covers. ## What to keep Keep a personal folder with the sleep study report, prescriptions, mask and machine details, and a one-page summary of your treatment history. Update it after each major change. If you travel with CPAP, carry a copy of the prescription and a travel letter. For reading the report, see the [sleep study report guide](https://findsleepdoctors.com/articles/how-to-read-your-sleep-study-report). For moving care, see the [transfer care guide](https://findsleepdoctors.com/articles/how-to-transfer-sleep-care-when-you-move). To find a clinician, use the [sleep doctor near me directory](https://findsleepdoctors.com/sleep-doctor-near-me). ## Country differences In the US, HIPAA gives you a right to access your records. In the UK and Ireland, GDPR and NHS rules apply. Canada has provincial privacy laws plus PIPEDA for some organizations. Australia has the Privacy Act and My Health Record. New Zealand has the Health Information Privacy Code. Ask the provider which rules apply. *This article is general information, not legal or medical advice. It does not replace the records-access rules that apply where you live.* ## Related guides in this series - [Sleep Doctors in Edina, Minnesota: How to Find the Right Specialist](https://findsleepdoctors.com/articles/sleep-doctors-edina-mn-us) — Edina, Minnesota lists 8 sleep providers and centers in the Find Sleep Doctors directory. This guide explains how to compare them, what to expect, and how to prepare before booking. - [Sleep Doctors in Helena, Montana: How to Find the Right Specialist](https://findsleepdoctors.com/articles/sleep-doctors-helena-mt-us) — A directory guide to 8 listed sleep providers and centers in Helena, Montana, with contact details and practical booking questions. - [Sleep Doctors in Burnsville, Minnesota: How to Find the Right Specialist](https://findsleepdoctors.com/articles/sleep-doctors-burnsville-mn-us) — This guide lists eight sleep providers and centers in Burnsville, Minnesota, with addresses and phone numbers from the Find Sleep Doctors directory. It also explains how to compare options, plan a visit, and prepare questions for a sleep medicine appointment. ## Ready to find a sleep doctor near you? Browse sleep medicine doctors across six countries, organized by region and city, and reach out directly — all in one free, verified directory. See [all countries and cities](https://findsleepdoctors.com/sleep-doctor-near-me). This medical guide reflects generally accepted clinical guidance for sleep disorders. It is informational and not a substitute for personalised medical advice — consult a qualified sleep specialist or your GP. ## Related - [All sleep health guides](https://findsleepdoctors.com/articles) - [Home](https://findsleepdoctors.com/) - [Country and city index](https://findsleepdoctors.com/sleep-doctor-near-me)