Handle a client's deletion request

Delete what is no longer needed, retain only records the law requires, and do not mistake archiving for erasure.

1 min read · Updated August 28, 2026

In short

Confirm the request and identify every record it covers.
A manual contact with no appointment can be deleted from the client record.
A linked client or a client with appointments cannot be deleted from that list; archiving hides the row but keeps its records.

Delete	Archive
Available for a manual contact with no appointments Permanently removes that client row	Hides the client from the active list Keeps appointments and the client record intact

Verify the client and clarify whether the request covers contact details, notes, photos, messages, or the whole business record.
Remove information that is no longer necessary and stop any use that depended on withdrawn consent.
Keep only the part of an appointment or payment record that another law requires you to retain. Archiving a client does not erase the record.
Answer in writing with what you removed, what remains, and the legal reason it remains.

Delete says this client has appointments	Do not use Archive as proof of erasure. Review the underlying records and retain only what you are legally required to keep.
The client says they already deleted their account	Treat the request about your business record separately and answer it directly.