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My personal information

Explains your rights to see and have copies of your personal information, and how to complain if access to your records is refused or if what is written about you is wrong.

  • This information applies to England and Wales.
  • This information applies to adults. It doesn't apply to children unless specifically stated.

How do I get copies of my records?

You almost always need to make a request to see your records in writing. This is called a subject access request (SAR).

A subject access request can be:

  • an email or a letter requesting copies of your records

Sample subject access request letter

Download a sample subject access request letter. (Word or PDF – new window)

  • a standard form an organisation may have to request access to records
  • a non-standard form, such as through an organisation’s website or social media account – for example Facebook or Twitter. However, this may lead to a delay in your request being dealt with, as it's unlikely that the team responsible for social media will be the same team responsible for dealing with subject access requests. This means they may not recognise your request as a subject access request. There may also be practical difficulties in relation to you being able to prove your identity if you make your request in this way.

Under equality law organisations have a legal duty to make their services accessible. If your mental health problem makes it impossible (or unreasonably difficult) for you to make a request in writing, an organisation may have to make a reasonable adjustment to its normal data protection policy. This could mean that it treats a verbal request as a valid subject access request.

When preparing your subject access request:

  • Provide enough detail about the records you wish to see. If your request is too vague, the organisation might ask you to be more specific. This could cause a delay in getting the information you want.
  • Think about exactly what you want to see – for example your social services records for a particular period of time or medical records held by a particular doctor.
  • Avoid asking for information that is too general – for example “all information that the Council holds about me”. Although you can ask for this, you may end up with information that is not relevant. It might be better to ask for all of the records held by a particular service or department – for example “all of my social services records” or “a copy of my personnel file”. It's a good idea to mention that you’re making a subject access request under the Data Protection Act 2018.
  • Send your request by recorded delivery or by email. This will mean that you have proof of the date your request was sent. You should also keep a copy of your letter or subject access request form, and any other relevant correspondence. This will be important evidence if you need to make a complaint.
  • Provide proof of identity. The organisation needs to make sure that you are who you say you are. You might be asked for a photocopy of your passport, driving license or a utility bill. However, if the person you make the request to knows you well, you shouldn't need to provide detailed proof of your identity.

How long will it take to get a response?

As of 25th May 2018, organisations have one calendar month to respond to your subject access request starting from the day they receive your request (before this date the time limit was 40 days).

If the organisation thinks that your request is very complicated then it can extend this to three months, but they must write to you to explain why the extension is necessary.

Will I have to pay?

As of 25th May 2018, organisations are not allowed to charge a fee for supplying your data unless your request is manifestly unfounded or excessive (before this date organisations could charge up to £50.00).

If an organisation decides it is appropriate to charge you for an excessive request, the amount must be based on how much it will actually cost them to fulfil your request.

Subject access requests: quick checklist

  1. Think about the personal information you wish to see.
  2. Identify which organisation holds this.
  3. Check their website or call them to find out who to send the subject access request to, whether the organisation has a standard subject access request form, and what form of proof of identification the organisation needs.
  4. Draft your subject access request letter or complete the form (if the organisation has one).
  5. Send to the relevant contact at the organisation with proof of identification. Ideally, send the request by recorded delivery so that you can track the request.
  6. Keep a copy of the letter or subject access request form you have sent.
  7. Put the deadline for them to get back to you in your diary – one calendar month after receipt by the organisation.

Tip: If you can send appropriate proof of identity at the same time as making your subject access request, it should make the process quicker.

Example

Audrey experiences severe anxiety and depression. She also has a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

For some years now, Audrey has received support from social services with daily living tasks, including bathing, managing her money and getting out and about in the community.

Her package of care has recently been cut by social services. Audrey has an advocate who is going to assist her with making a complaint about this.

The advocate has suggested that it would be a good idea for Audrey to get copies of her social services records. Audrey has received support from social services for the past 15 years, so her records are likely to be extensive.

The decision was made 6 weeks ago. Audrey will need to see the records that relate to this decision and there will probably be records from before the date of the decision which are relevant. However, she is unlikely to need copies of her social services records in their entirety.

Audrey could make a request for copies of her records from the past 6 months. She may not need to provide proof of identity if she makes the request to her social worker as her social worker knows her well.

< Your personal data rights What if I don't get what I asked for? >

This information was published in May 2018. We will revise it in 2021.

References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.

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