How to Get a CHP Traffic Collision Report in California: Step-By-Step Guide

Reviewed and updated by Steven M. Sweat, September 2026

Quick Answer: If the CHP investigated your crash, request the report through the CHP Crash Portal at crashes.chp.ca.gov, or by submitting a CHP 190 form to the Area office that handled the collision. Reports are usually available 7 to 10 business days after the crash; fatality investigations take longer. Only parties to the collision and their representatives can obtain one.

Why Your CHP Collision Report Matters—And How to Get It

If your accident happened on a California freeway, state highway, or unincorporated roadway, chances are it was investigated by the California Highway Patrol, not a local police department. That means the official record you need is a CHP traffic collision report—and knowing how to request it quickly can make a significant difference in the outcome of your insurance claim or personal injury case.

At Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC, we have spent over 30 years helping accident victims across Los Angeles and throughout California navigate the aftermath of serious collisions. One of the most consistent obstacles we see: clients who don’t realize that the LAPD was not the agency at the scene—and that the report they need lives with the CHP, not their local precinct.

This guide walks you through exactly how to request your CHP collision report, whether online, by mail, or in person—so you can secure the documentation you need without delay.

What You Need Before You Request

Gathering your information in advance prevents your request from being rejected or stalled. The CHP requires specific details to locate the correct report, and submitting incomplete information is one of the most common reasons requests are delayed. Have everything listed below ready before you fill out any form or submit any payment. Incomplete submissions are the single most common reason report requests stall.

Case and Incident Information

You must provide enough details for the CHP to locate your specific report in their system. The report number assigned by the investigating officer is the fastest path to your record, but you can still request without it.

Acceptable ID and Authorization

You must verify your identity before the CHP will release any report. A valid government-issued photo ID—such as a California driver’s license or U.S. passport—is required for all requests. If you do not have a photo ID, your CHP 190 form must be notarized before submission. If you are requesting on behalf of an injured family member or client, you will also need a signed written authorization from the eligible party.

Step 1. Confirm You Are a Proper Party of Interest

The CHP does not release collision reports to the general public. California law restricts access to specific parties with a direct connection to the incident. Confirming your eligibility before submitting your request saves you time and prevents a rejected submission.

Who Qualifies to Request the Report

The following individuals and entities are considered a proper Party of Interest and may request a CHP collision report:

• Drivers listed in the report
• Bicyclists and pedestrians involved in the collision
• Passengers who were in any involved vehicle
• Parents or legal guardians of a minor involved in the crash
• Vehicle or property owners whose property was damaged
• Legal representatives such as a personal injury attorney acting on behalf of an eligible party
• Manufacturer representatives in product liability contexts
• Insurance companies with a valid claim or policy number related to the collision

If you are an attorney or insurance representative requesting on behalf of an eligible party, include written authorization from that party together with your own credentials or policy information.

Step 2. Request Online Through the CHP Crash Portal

The fastest way to fulfill your request is through the CHP’s official Crash Portal at crashes.chp.ca.gov. This state-operated portal allows eligible parties to register, search for their report, and download it electronically—without visiting a CHP office or mailing any paperwork. Online requests are available around the clock, but the report only becomes searchable after the investigating officer has finalized and submitted it—typically 7 to 10 business days after the collision date.

How to Submit Your Request on the Crash Portal

Follow these steps to complete your online request:

• Go to crashes.chp.ca.gov and create a free account, or log in if you already have one.
• Search for your report using the collision date, location, or report number.
• Once the system locates your record, verify your identity and eligibility by selecting your role as a Party of Interest.
• Pay the $22 online processing fee by credit or debit card.
• Download the PDF directly to your device and store it in a safe location.

If the portal cannot find your report, it is most likely still under review by the filing officer. Wait two to three additional business days, then search again with the same details. If the report still does not appear after that window, proceed to the mail or in-person method.

Step 3. Request by Mail or In Person Using the CHP 190 Form

The mail and in-person request form is formally titled the CHP 190, Application for Release of Information — sometimes called simply the “CHP 190 form.” This is the official document the California Highway Patrol uses to process all non-portal collision report requests. If the online portal is unavailable or cannot locate your report, you can request your CHP collision report by completing and submitting a CHP 190, Application for Release of Information. This form is available as a free PDF download at chp.ca.gov or as a physical copy at any CHP Area office. If submitting by mail, use certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery if any follow-up becomes necessary. Mail-in requests typically take two to four weeks from the date the office receives your envelope.

How to Complete the CHP 190 Form

Fill out every section of the form carefully:

• Crash/Incident Date: Enter the exact date, or an approximate date if you don’t know it precisely.
• Crash/Incident Location: Include the highway number, street address, nearest exit, or any landmark you know.
• Driver or Owner: List the driver or vehicle owner involved. If only your property was damaged, list your own name and address.
• Party of Interest: Check only one box. If you’re unsure which category applies, call any CHP Area office before submitting.
• Applicant: Print your full legal name, address, and include your signature.
• Agency/Company: Complete this field only if you are a government entity or insurance company.

What to Include with Your CHP 190 Submission

Whether submitting by mail or in person, include all of the following:

• The completed and signed CHP 190 form
• A legible photocopy of your valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport). If you have no photo ID, the form must be notarized.
• Payment for the applicable fee ($10 for reports up to 25 pages; up to $40 for longer reports), made payable to the California Highway Patrol by check, money order, or cash (in person only). Call 1-800-835-5247 to confirm the exact amount before sending.
• A self-addressed, stamped envelope if requesting by mail and you want the report returned by post.

Important: Mail your request to the CHP Area office that investigated the collision, not CHP headquarters. Use the CHP Find an Office tool at chp.ca.gov to locate the correct office.

If you live far from where the accident occurred, any CHP Area office can obtain a copy of your report from the filing office and arrange to have it mailed to your address.

Sample Mail Request Template

Step 4. Follow Up, Fix Issues, and Get Help

Most CHP collision report requests are fulfilled within the standard 7 to 10 business day window. If you have not received your report within 15 business days of submitting your request, contact the CHP Area office that investigated your collision directly to check the status. You can also call the CHP general line at 1-800-835-5247 for assistance. Keep a written record of every contact you make with the CHP, including the date, the name of the person you spoke with, and any reference numbers they provide.

When Your Request Is Delayed or Rejected

Your request may be delayed because the investigating officer has not yet finalized the report, or rejected due to missing or incorrect information. Common issues and fixes:

• Report not yet filed: Wait five additional business days, then resubmit or check the online Crash Portal.
• Missing ID copy: Resend with a clear, legible photocopy attached, or arrange for notarization if you lack a photo ID.
• Wrong CHP office: Confirm you sent the request to the office that investigated the collision, not a nearby office or CHP headquarters.
• Fatality or complex investigation: Reports involving a death may take several months to be finalized and released. Contact the filing office for a status update.

Common reasons CHP report requests are rejected outright:

• Incomplete crash details — missing the exact location or date
• No proof of identity — forgetting to include a copy of your photo ID
• Wrong CHP office — sending your request to a division that did not handle your accident
• Insufficient payment — submitting an incorrect fee amount or an unsigned check
• Ineligible requester — not qualifying as a party of interest under California Vehicle Code Section 20012

If your request is returned for any of these reasons, correct the specific deficiency and resubmit — a rejected request does not reset your claim deadline, but the delay can create pressure if a filing date is approaching.

When the Report Contains Errors

If your report contains incorrect driver information, wrong dates, a wrong collision location, or an inaccurate accident description, contact the investigating officer’s division directly and request a written amendment. Bring supporting documentation—such as photographs, medical records, or witness contact information—to back up your correction request. Errors in the official record can create serious problems when an insurer or opposing attorney references the document.

A note from our office: Two things about CHP reports that surprise clients. First, the officer’s opinion of who was at fault is not binding on anyone. Vehicle Code § 20013 bars the report itself from being used as evidence at trial, and we regularly resolve cases where the report put our client at fault and the physical evidence said otherwise. Treat the report as a starting point for the investigation, not the verdict. Second, if you’ve hired a lawyer, let the office request the report. We’re a listed party of interest, we know which Area office to send it to, and we usually have it before a client’s own request clears the portal. The one thing only you can do is tell us right away if the report has your name, plate, or insurer wrong; those corrections get harder to make once the file has been sent to the carriers.

Next Steps After You Get the Report

Once you complete your request and the document is in your hands, read through every detail carefully. Verify your name, the collision date, the location, and the officer’s description of how the crash occurred. If anything is wrong, act immediately—corrections become harder to obtain once litigation or settlement negotiations begin.

Share the report with your insurance company promptly and keep at least two copies stored where you can access them quickly. If the collision caused serious injuries, significant property damage, or you believe another driver was at fault, the CHP report becomes the cornerstone of your claim.

Talking to a personal injury attorney before you settle with any insurer gives you a clearer read on what your case is actually worth. Insurance companies routinely use the CHP report to minimize payouts—having an attorney in your corner who understands how to read and use that report on your behalf can make a decisive difference.

Steven M. Sweat, Personal Injury Lawyers, APC  •  11500 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90064  •  866-966-5240  •  victimslawyer.com