Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Knowing how to request a police report in New York can help you build an insurance claim or lawsuit. The type of report you need depends on whether you were involved in a motor vehicle crash, a crime, or an injury incident in which a police officer assisted you. You have the most options to get one when seeking a crash report.
Our trusted, experienced personal injury lawyers at Shulman & Hill are New Yorkers who value our community and thrive on representing other New Yorkers. We can assist you in getting a police report, gathering other evidence, and fighting for fair damages when someone else’s actions injure you.
Who Can Request a Police Report in New York?
People directly involved in incidents that result in NYPD assistance can request police reports. This includes drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and anyone else with damages from a motor vehicle accident, crime victims, and people the police otherwise aided. A third party, such as a family member or attorney, can also request reports with written authorization.
There are instances in which all or parts of records are unavailable, such as if minors are involved, a court order sealed the case, or it’s under active investigation.
Types of Police Reports You Can Request in New York
NYPD officers complete various reports depending on the type of incident they responded to. You can request three types of reports, including:
- Motor Vehicle Collision Report: Police complete these reports after responding to motor vehicle accidents.
- Verification of Incident: These reports document criminal complaints and lost property notifications. For example, you might request one if you were a victim of an assault in a parking lot and believe there was negligent security.
- Aided Records: The police sometimes help the injured after accidents that don’t involve motor vehicles. For example, the police may assist you after a slip and fall on a sidewalk. Aided Records document these incidents.
Incident verifications only contain basic details such as the type of incident, date, and location. If you want a full report, you must make a Freedom of Information Law, or FOIL, request.
Ways to Request a Police Report
There are four ways to request NYPD reports, but which one you can use depends on the type of report. Options include:
- Online: You can request a crash report through the NYPD Collision Report Retrieval Portal. You can also request a Verification of Incident report online. You cannot request an Aided Record police report online in NYC.
- In-Person: To request a Motor Vehicle Collision Report, go to the precinct of occurrence within 30 days of the crash. You cannot request Verification of Incident reports or Aided Records in person.
- By Mail: Send two copies of the form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a copy of a valid ID, such as your driver’s license or passport, to the address listed on:
- Motor Vehicle Collision Report: Form PD 301-165
- Verification of Incident report: Form PD 542-061
- Aided Records: Form PD 304-161
- Through an attorney: Your attorney can request NYPD records with a notarized authorization letter.
Our personal injury attorneys understand the importance of and know how to request an NYPD report. We can assist you in identifying how and where to make your request and how to correct wrong information.
Requesting a Crash Report From the DMV
The NYPD keeps your Motor Vehicle Collision Report for 30 days, though it may forward a copy to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sooner. After 30 days, these reports are only available through the DMV. You can request your crash report from the DMV online, or complete Form MV-198C and mail it to the address on the form.
Crash reports through the DMV are usually available within 14 days of your accident if the police forwarded them electronically, and within 30 days if they sent a paper report.
What Information Do You Need to Request a Police Report?
The NYPD requires some information to search for a report. Some is optional, but it can speed up the record search. The information you need depends on the type of report you are requesting, including:
- Motor Vehicle Collision Report: You must include the date and place of occurrence, or the NYPD will return your request. Other helpful information includes names of involved parties, license plate numbers, and driver’s license numbers.
- Verification of Incident: You must have your complaint number and the precinct of record, which you can obtain by calling the precinct that took your initial complaint. Other information includes the date and time you reported the incident, and the name of the officer who received your complaint.
- Aided Records: The NYPD will return your request unless you include the place and date of the incident. Additional information that aids in the search includes the rank, name, and shield number of the officer who stopped to assist you.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Police Report?
The time it takes to get a police report depends on the type, how you request it, and how much information you provide. The NYPD doesn’t offer specific timelines for most reports. General guidance includes:
- Motor Vehicle Collision Report: It takes up to seven business days before your crash report is available online. It may be available at a precinct within a few days, but that can depend on the complexity of your crash. A mailed request can take 10 days or longer.
- Verification of Incident: Mailed requests could take 10 days or longer. You will receive it sooner if you request it online.
- Aided Records: It can take 10 days or longer to get Aided Records because the only way to request and receive them is through the mail.
If there is a delay in receiving the report, contact the NYPD for a reason. Reach out to an experienced attorney if your inability to access a report affects an insurance claim or lawsuit.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Police Report in NY?
There are no fees associated with requesting reports directly from the NYPD. However, if you need a crash report and it has been more than 30 days since your accident, you must get it from the DMV. The search fee is $7, and the report fee is $15 for each report. You can do free searches first to check availability.
How an Attorney Can Help
If you are requesting a report for an insurance claim or lawsuit, find an experienced attorney who can assist you. They can make the request and assist you in reading your police report, and provide other assistance, including:
- Filing your claim: You must file most personal injury lawsuits within three years. Your attorney can also assist you with insurance claims.
- Note: If a public entity, such as a city agency, is involved, you may face much shorter deadlines (such as a 90-day Notice of Claim).
- Investigating your case: Your attorney will gather police reports, witness statements, video surveillance footage, and, in some cases, police body cam footage. They may also consult experts.
- Proving liability: One or more parties may be liable for your injuries. Your attorney can fight claims that you were at fault.
- Dealing with insurers: An adjuster may try to trick you into admitting fault if you speak to them alone. An attorney can also review settlement offers to determine if they are fair.
- Calculating damages: Experienced attorneys know how to determine short and long-term damages. In rare cases, courts may award punitive damages.
- Advising you on next steps: An attorney will determine if you have a viable claim. They will then recommend an insurance claim, lawsuit, or both.
Contact Shulman & Hill to Learn More About Requesting a Police Report in NY
After an accident, reach out to Shulman & Hill. We are New York’s premier personal injury law firm, and we can give your case personalized attention. We can also work with you to request your New York police report. We have locations all around the city.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re prepared to handle your case, no matter how complex it may seem. Call us today at 212-221-1000 to get started with a free consultation.
