A family member may be able to collect your Korean hospital records when the applicable requirements are met. Being related is not sufficient by itself. Ask the records office whether your family member can apply as an eligible relative, needs authorization as your representative, or must follow a special-case process. Get the hospital’s current document and collection instructions before arranging the visit.
Ask which rules apply to the person collecting
Article 21 of the Medical Service Act protects access to patient records and sets conditions for release to people other than the patient. Its exceptions distinguish qualifying relatives, patient-designated representatives, and circumstances in which the patient’s consent cannot be obtained.
Tell the records office who will collect, their relationship to the patient, and whether the patient can give consent. Ask it to identify the applicable request category. A person described informally as a guardian or family member still needs to meet the requirements for that category.
The current Enforcement Rule, Article 13-3 gives different document requirements for qualifying relatives and designated representatives. It also addresses minors and requests where consent cannot be obtained. For a child or a patient who cannot consent, ask which legal-representative or special-case documents are required. Do not adapt an ordinary adult authorization yourself.
These provisions were checked on 28 October 2026, using the Act displayed as effective 2 October 2026 and the Rule as effective 12 June 2026. Use the current provisions and hospital instructions for the actual request; this explanation does not decide whether a particular relative qualifies.
Obtain the hospital’s forms and identification checklist
Once the records office identifies the request category, ask who must complete and sign each form and what identification or proof of relationship is needed. Make sure the names and identification details on the forms match the supporting documents.
For an adult patient who can give consent, SNUH Gangnam Center’s designated-delegate list includes:
- A copy of the patient’s identification.
- The delegate’s identification or a copy.
- A consent form signed by the patient.
- A proxy-authorization form signed by the patient.
This is that centre’s list for a designated delegate. A relative applying in another category may need different documents, depending on the legal requirements and the patient’s circumstances.
Samsung Medical Center’s records instructions also list proxy identification, consent for release, and power of attorney for proxy requests. Get the receiving records office’s current forms and checklist for your case. These examples do not replace its official forms or set a minimum list for every applicant.
Specify which records and dates are being requested
Define the material before someone makes the collection trip. Use the medical-record, result, and image-copy guide to distinguish written clinical records, test reports, and image data. For a new doctor’s statement or certificate, check the document-purpose guide separately.
Keep this planning note with the request:
| Question | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Scope | Which records, visits, and dates does the request cover? |
| Material | Written reports, image copies, or another specified document? |
| Language and medium | What can the hospital actually issue for those items? |
| Applicant category | Which rules apply to this relative or representative? |
| Required documents | Which current forms, signatures, identification and evidence apply? |
Apply using the hospital’s official consent and authorization forms. This table is only a preparation checklist.
Confirm readiness and the collection arrangement
Before the trip, check that the records are ready, where to collect them, and what payment or identity checks remain. Submitting a request does not mean the documents are ready or that remote delivery is available.
If the patient is leaving Korea, confirm whether someone can collect on their behalf and resolve outstanding questions before relying on that plan. The before-departure records and follow-up guide helps you track records requested, pending, and collected. Save the hospital’s reply so the collector can follow the instructions for these records and their request category.