How Long Does It Take to Get a Police Crash Report in Texas?
If you’ve been in a car accident in Texas, obtaining the police report is an important step for insurance claims and potential legal action. But how long does it take to get your report?
Texas Crash Reports Are Filed Through CRIS
All crash reports in Texas are submitted to the CRIS (Crash Records Information System), managed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Police departments are required to submit crash reports within 10 business days after an accident.
Business days: Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Once the report is uploaded to CRIS, the system may take up to 4 additional business days to process it and make it available online.
Accessing Your Report
Depending on your status and purpose for obtaining the report, you may see either:
Redacted version – Sensitive information removed.
Unredacted version – Full report, often required for legal proceedings.
Certified or uncertified version – Certified copies may be necessary for court use.
For official access, you can visit the Texas Department of Transportation’s crash report portal here:
https://www.txdot.gov/data-maps/crash-reports-records.html
How Long Should You Expect?
While the official timeline is roughly 10 business days for the police to upload plus 4 business days for CRIS to process, it can sometimes take longer due to:
Holidays or weekends
Processing delays at the local police department
Restrictions on who can access certain types of reports
So, in practice, it may take two to three weeks to receive your report, or longer in some cases.
Why This Matters
Having a police report quickly is crucial for:
Filing insurance claims promptly
Documenting details of the accident accurately
Preserving evidence for a potential personal injury case
Delays can affect how quickly your case is evaluated and resolved, so it’s important to follow up if your report isn’t available in the expected timeframe.
