embraceHow to keep your child's health records in one place
School, camp and sports forms all ask the same questions about your child's health. When the answers live in one place, the forms take minutes, and you have the details ready at the next appointment.
From the Embrace team. Updated October 29, 2026.
The short answer: Keep one record per child with their vaccine dates, allergies, conditions and medicines, surgeries and hospital visits, growth from checkups, and their doctors' phone numbers, and keep your own copy of the vaccine record.
What to keep
- The immunization record, with the date of each vaccine
- Allergies, and what happened when there was a reaction
- Any ongoing conditions, with current medicines and doses
- Surgeries, hospital stays and emergency visits, with dates
- Height and weight from checkups
- Names and phone numbers for the doctor, dentist and any specialists
- Health card or insurance details
- Notes about illnesses: fevers, rashes and coughs, with dates and how long they lasted
Keep your own copy of the vaccine record
Ask your doctor's office or public health office for a copy of the vaccine record after each appointment, and keep it with the rest. Schools, daycares and camps often ask for proof of vaccines, and a copy at home saves a phone call when they do. If you move or change doctors, your copy goes with you.
Write things down when they happen
A fever on Tuesday, a rash on Thursday and a cough that lasts into the next week are easy to mix up a month later. Dated notes tell the doctor what happened and in what order. Take a photo of a rash on the first day, because it may look different by the time of the appointment. Our symptom diary guide shows what to write.
Share it with the other people who look after your child
If your child lives in two homes, or grandparents or a sitter look after them, the adult with your child needs to know about allergies, current medicines and the doctor's number. Give them a current copy, and agree who updates it.
Hand it over as your child grows
Teenagers start answering health questions for themselves, at appointments and on forms. Letting them see their own record helps them learn their history before they leave home.
Common questions
Where can I get a copy of my child's vaccine record?
Ask your doctor's office or your public health office. Ask for an updated copy after each vaccine appointment.
Who else needs a copy of my child's health information?
Anyone who looks after your child, such as the other parent, grandparents or a sitter, needs to know about allergies, current medicines and the doctor's number.
Why write down illnesses as they happen?
Dated notes tell the doctor what happened and in what order. A photo of a rash on the first day helps if it looks different by the appointment.
When should my teenager see their own health record?
As they start answering health questions themselves, at appointments and on forms. Seeing their own record helps them learn their history before they leave home.