How long does each state say it takes?
These are the waiting times agencies publish themselves. Each one was read on the agency's own page. States whose page gives no figure are left out, because we do not estimate.
These figures are when the report becomes available to request or buy. They are not a promise. Washington State Patrol, for one, says a report is typically available much sooner than its stated limit.
Why does a police report take days?
A crash report is not finished at the roadside. The officer writes it up afterwards, it is checked, and only then is it filed where the public can get it. Agencies describe those steps in their own words.
| Step | What an agency says about it |
|---|---|
| The officer files the report | Texas gives the investigating officer until the tenth day after the crash to send the written report to the state |
| A supervisor approves it | Washington State Patrol says officers have 2 to 4 weeks to complete the investigation and have the report approved by their supervisor, and that it is typically available much sooner |
| It is reviewed and corrected | Colorado State Patrol names four stages, submittal, review, corrections and approval, and allows up to 10 working days for them |
| The records unit receives it | Arizona's Department of Public Safety says its records unit receives completed reports from troopers within 14 days of the incident |
| It is cleared for release | Illinois State Police say a report cannot be emailed or mailed until it has been approved, so an order may take 10 or more business days |
Does it matter how the officer filed it?
Yes. A report filed electronically reaches the state's system sooner than one filed on paper, and two agencies put numbers on the difference.
New York's DMV publishes the difference. An electronically filed police report is available at least 14 days after the crash. A paper police report is available at least 30 days after. Columbus police give a similar warning for Ohio: a crash report submitted as a hard copy will not be on the state's site for several weeks.
You cannot choose how the officer files. But if two weeks have passed and nothing has appeared, it is a fair question to ask the records unit whether the report went in on paper.
Why do serious crashes take longer?
When someone is badly hurt or killed, or when charges may follow, the first report is only the beginning. Three agencies explain what that does to the timing.
- Ohio's Highway Patrol says some crashes require additional investigation beyond the initial report, and that the added information may not be available until those investigations are complete.
- Arizona's Department of Public Safety releases most reports to the people involved within 48 hours of an online request. Reports with supplements or attachments, and reports categorized as fatalities, are left out of that fast route.
- Ohio law lets the state hold Highway Patrol reports, statements and photographs until all criminal prosecution has been concluded.
How long after you ask does it arrive?
Being available and being in your hands are two different moments. The second depends on how you order and how you pay.
| Agency and method | Time it states |
|---|---|
| Texas, full report, paid by card | Immediately |
| Texas, redacted report | Within 10 business days, after TxDOT's review |
| Texas, paid by electronic check | When the payment clears, within 10 days |
| Arizona DPS, full report, online | Generally within 48 hours |
| Maine, online order | Within 24 hours of the search |
| Ohio Highway Patrol, online | As soon as the purchase is confirmed |
| Ohio Highway Patrol, photos by download | A link within 24 to 48 hours |
| Ohio Highway Patrol, photos on DVD | 4 to 6 weeks by mail |
| Phoenix Police, online request | In the order received. The city says as much as 6 weeks |
| Dallas Police, records request | 5 to 10 business days |
| North Carolina DMV, by mail | 10 business days from receipt |
| Tennessee, by mail | Two to three weeks from the mailing date |
The lesson in that table is that the route you choose changes the wait as much as the agency does. In these examples, ordering online and paying by card is the fast combination. Mail, checks, redacted copies and anything on a disc are slow.
How long do you have to download it?
Once a report is bought online, the clock runs against you. Download windows are short, and a report you did not save may have to be bought again.
- Texas keeps a purchased report available to download for 10 days.
- New York gives 7 calendar days, after which the report has to be purchased again.
- Ohio's Highway Patrol gives up to 72 hours. Its ordering page also empties your cart after 20 minutes without activity.
- Ohio's photo links expire 14 days after they are sent.
What can you do while you wait?
- Write down who investigated and the number they gave youEvery later step needs the agency's name and its report or incident number.
- Note the date the wait endsCount from the crash, using the figure in the table above for your state.
- Check the free sources firstOhio's state search and Connecticut's Accident Information Summary cost nothing and show the basic facts of the crash.
- Tell your insurer the report has been requestedGive them the agency and the number so that they can ask for it themselves when it is released.
- Call the records unit only after the stated waitTxDOT says to contact the investigating agency once more than two weeks have passed. Arizona's Department of Public Safety asks callers to wait at least 14 days.
The bottom line
- Plan on 7 to 15 days in most states that publish a figure.
- A report filed on paper takes longer than one filed electronically. New York says 30 days against 14.
- Serious crashes take longer, because the first report is not the last.
- Order online and pay by card when you need the report quickly.
- Call the records unit only after the wait the agency states has passed.
Questions about how long a police report takes
How long does it take for a police report to be available?
Most agencies that publish a wait say between 7 and 15 days after the crash. Tennessee says about 7 days, Texas and Arizona say 14, and Pennsylvania says 15. Washington says up to 2 to 4 weeks and Vermont says 30 days.
Why is my police report not ready yet?
Because the officer has to finish it and a supervisor has to approve it before it is released. Texas gives officers until the tenth day after the crash to file. Washington State Patrol says its officers have 2 to 4 weeks to complete the investigation and have the report approved.
How long does a police report take after a serious accident?
Longer than usual. Ohio's Highway Patrol says some crashes require more investigation after the first report, and that the added material is not available until the investigation is complete. Arizona's fast online release does not cover reports categorized as fatalities.
How long does a police report take to reach my insurance company?
An insurer can request the report itself once the agency releases it, which for most agencies that publish a wait is 7 to 15 days after the crash. Give your insurer the agency's name and the report number so that it can ask.
Does a paper report take longer than an electronic one?
Yes. New York says an electronically filed police report is available at least 14 days after the crash and a paper one at least 30 days after. Columbus police say a report filed on paper takes several weeks to reach Ohio's state site.
When should I call if the report is still missing?
After the wait the agency states has passed. TxDOT says to contact the investigating agency if the report is not in its search more than two weeks after the crash. Arizona's Department of Public Safety asks people to wait at least 14 days before checking.
How long do I have to download a report once I buy it?
Not long. Texas keeps the download open for 10 days, New York for 7 calendar days, and Ohio's Highway Patrol for up to 72 hours. Save the file as soon as it opens.
How long does a mailed request take?
Weeks more than an online one. Tennessee asks for two to three weeks from the mailing date. North Carolina asks for 10 business days from the day it receives the request.