How to Get a Police Report After a Car Accident

Where to request your police report

The police department that responded to your accident is the one that holds the report. Call their non-emergency line or visit the station in person to find out how they distribute reports — some mail them, some let you pick them up, and some post them online for download. You will need the accident date, location, and the report number if you already have it.

If you do not know which department responded, call the city or county non-emergency line and give them the accident location and date. They can tell you which agency filed the report and how to reach them. In some areas, state police handle highway accidents while city police handle local streets, so the location matters.

Many departments now use online portals where you can request and download reports without leaving home. Search "[your city/county] police report request" to see if yours offers this. If the department has no online system, you can usually request by phone, email, or in person, though in-person requests are often fastest.

Key Takeaways

• The police department that responded to your accident holds the report, and you can find which one by calling your city or county non-emergency line with the accident date and location.
• Most departments charge a fee to copy and mail the report, typically between $5 and $25, though some offer free downloads through online portals.
• You will need your driver's license or ID and the accident date to request the report; having the report number speeds up the process.
• Reports usually take three to seven business days to arrive by mail, but online portals often let you download them the same day or within 24 hours.
• Your insurance company can also request the report on your behalf, though you may want a copy for your own records before filing a claim.

What information you need to provide

Have your driver's license or state ID ready when you request the report. The department will ask for the date and time of the accident, the street or highway where it happened, and the names or vehicle descriptions of other drivers involved if you remember them. If you already have the report number — usually given to you at the scene or in a follow-up call — that will speed things up considerably.

If you do not have the report number, the department can search by your name and the accident date, though this takes longer. Providing the other driver's name or license plate number, if you have it, also helps narrow the search. The more detail you give, the faster they can locate your specific report.

Fees and how to pay

Most police departments charge a fee to copy and mail a police report, usually between $5 and $25 depending on the department and how many pages the report is. Some departments charge per page; others charge a flat fee. A few departments offer the first copy free or at a reduced rate if you are the person involved in the accident.

Payment methods vary by department. Some take credit cards over the phone, some require a check or money order mailed with your request, and some accept payment in person only. Online portals usually accept credit or debit cards. Call ahead to confirm what your department accepts before you submit your request.

How long it takes to receive the report

If you request the report online through a portal, you can often download it immediately or within 24 hours. If you request by mail or in person, expect three to seven business days for the report to arrive. Some departments prioritize requests from insurance companies or attorneys, so if you are working with either, they may receive it faster than you would on your own.

If you need the report urgently — for example, to file an insurance claim with a deadline — call the department directly and ask if they can expedite it. Some will email a copy the same day if you call before closing time. Explain that you need it for an insurance claim; departments often move these requests up the queue.

What the report contains

A police accident report includes the date, time, and exact location of the crash; the names, phone numbers, and addresses of all drivers and passengers; vehicle information including license plate and VIN; insurance details for each driver; a description of how the accident happened; any citations issued; and the officer's assessment of fault or contributing factors. It also lists any witnesses who spoke to the officer and their contact information.

The report does not determine legal liability — that is decided in court or by insurance companies — but it does record what the officer observed and what drivers told them. If you disagree with what is written in the report, you can file a correction request with the department, though this process varies by jurisdiction and does not change the original report.

Using the report for your insurance claim

Your insurance company will request the police report themselves as part of processing your claim, so you do not have to provide it. However, getting your own copy before you file gives you a chance to review what the officer wrote and make sure the facts match your account. If there are errors — wrong vehicle descriptions, incorrect addresses, or misquoted statements — you can address them before the insurer sees the report.

If the report shows the other driver was cited for the accident, that strengthens your claim. If the report does not assign fault clearly, your insurance company will use other evidence like photos, witness statements, and the damage pattern to make their information. Having the report in hand before you call your insurer means you can answer their questions more accurately.

What to do if the report is not available yet

If the police department tells you the report is not ready, ask when it will be. Most reports are filed within a few days, but if the accident involved injuries or multiple vehicles, it can take longer. Some departments do not release reports until an investigation is complete, which might take weeks in serious cases.

If you need to file an insurance claim before the report is ready, you can do so without it. Tell your insurer the report is pending and provide them with the report number or the officer's name and badge number so they can request it themselves. Your claim can proceed while you wait for the official document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a police report if I was not the one who called 911?

Yes. Anyone involved in the accident can request the report. You will need to provide your name, the accident date and location, and your driver's license. Some departments restrict certain details (like witness names) to people directly involved, but the main report is public record.

What if the police did not come to the scene?

If no officer responded to the accident, there is no police report. You can file a report yourself at the police station if you want an official record, though this is not the same as an officer-filed accident report. For insurance purposes, your own statement, photos, and witness contact information may be enough.

Can I request the report online if I do not know the report number?

Most online portals let you search by accident date and location instead of report number. If the portal requires a report number and you do not have one, call the department's non-emergency line and ask them to look it up for you, or request the report by phone or in person.

Will the police report show who was at fault?

The report records what the officer observed and any citations issued, but it does not make a legal information of fault. Insurance companies and courts use the report as evidence along with other information to decide fault. A citation to the other driver is strong evidence they caused the accident, but the absence of a citation does not mean fault is unclear.

How long does the police department keep accident reports?

Most departments keep reports indefinitely or for at least several years. If you need a report from an accident that happened years ago, call the department and ask. They can usually retrieve it, though it may take longer than a recent report and might cost more to copy.