You request a police report from the records division of the agency that wrote it — not from the courts, and not from a different department. Most agencies let you request in person, by mail, or through an online portal, and the usual wait is a few days to a couple of weeks.
Step 1: identify the right agency
The report belongs to whoever responded. If the incident happened inside city limits, that is usually the municipal police department. If it happened in an unincorporated area, it is normally the county sheriff’s office. On an interstate or state highway, it may be the state police or highway patrol.
If you are not sure which agency took your report, call the non emergency number of the department covering that address and ask. They will tell you, and they can usually look up the report number for you at the same time.
Step 2: gather what they will ask for
- The report or case number, if you have it. Without it, bring the date, the approximate time and the location.
- Photo ID.
- Your relationship to the incident: were you the victim, a witness, an involved driver, or a third party.
- Payment, if the agency charges a fee.
Step 3: choose how to request it
- Online portal. Increasingly the default, and usually the fastest. Many let you track the request and download the report when it is released.
- In person at the records window, normally during weekday business hours only.
- By mail, with a completed request form and a check or money order.
- By email, which some smaller departments accept.
How long it takes, and what it costs
If you were directly involved, a routine report is often ready within a few days to a week. Fees vary widely between agencies, from free to around thirty dollars; larger departments tend to charge more. Many states require agencies to provide reports free of charge to victims of certain crimes, and domestic violence victims in particular are often entitled to a free copy. Ask — it is not always offered.
Why your request might be refused
The most common reason is that the investigation is still open. Agencies generally will not release a report while a case is active, because it would expose witness details and investigative steps. In that situation you can usually still get a short incident summary or a case number for your insurer, which is what most people actually need.
Reports also get redacted. Names of juveniles, witness contact details, medical information and social security numbers are commonly blacked out before release. That is normal and does not mean anything is wrong with your request.
If you need it for insurance
Insurers usually accept the case number and a short incident summary while the full report is pending. Ask your adjuster what they need before you pay for a certified copy you may not require.
Procedures, fees and waiting times are set by each agency and by state public records law, so they differ from one city to the next. Always confirm with the department that holds the report.
Browse the directory to find the non emergency number and official website of the agency you need.