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Prepositions with record

On record or of record?

On record means officially documented or publicly stated. Of record is a formal legal expression meaning officially recorded.

Quick answer

Main difference

Use on record for information that has been stated or documented. Use of record mainly in legal or official contexts to mean formally recorded.

Her comments are on record in the meeting minutes.
The lawyer of record filed the appeal.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
on record

Officially stated or documented

Use on record for public statements or stored information.

The company has no complaints on record this year.
2
of record

Formal legal and official use

Use of record mainly in legal English.

The attorney of record attended the hearing.
3
go on record

Making a public statement

This expression means to state something officially or publicly.

The minister refused to go on record about the negotiations.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
on record
The incident is on record with the police.
officially documented
of record
She is the counsel of record.
officially listed in legal records
go on record
He went on record as opposing the plan.
make a public statement

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of record in everyday contexts

Of record sounds formal and legal in modern English.

✕ My address is of record at school. ✓ My address is on record at school.

Confusing on record with in the record

On record is the standard fixed expression.

✕ The statement is in the record. ✓ The statement is on record.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Her complaint is already ___ record.
2. The attorney ___ record signed the document.
3. The senator refused to go ___ record.

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Frequently asked questions

Is of record common in conversation?

No. It is mainly used in legal or highly formal contexts.

What does on record mean?

It means officially documented or publicly stated.

Can I say go on record?

Yes. It means to make an official or public statement.

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