It depends on the state. OB records have to be kept for 21 years, all others only for 7 and then are destroyed, usually by a professional shredding company. The patient (you) do not own your medical records at that particular Dr's ofc. The records are the property of the Dr. You may have copies of the records but it will cost you about 60 cents per page and those prices are set by the state's medical society, and an addle "set up" & mailing or pick up fee. I know it sucks, but that is the way the laws are for now.