If the California Highway Patrol investigated your collision, the official report must be requested from CHP—not from a city police department. CHP uses the Application for Release of Information, commonly called form CHP 190, to confirm the incident and the requester’s right to receive the record. The process can be handled through an office or by mail.
Confirm that CHP investigated the crash
Check the information card, report number, tow paperwork, citation, or officer identification provided at the scene. A CHP report number and area-office information are especially helpful. If you are unsure, CHP advises contacting a local CHP office or the local police department to identify the investigating agency. CHP cannot provide a report prepared by another department.
Who may request a CHP collision report?
CHP describes eligible requesters as proper parties of interest. Common examples include a driver, passenger, pedestrian, registered vehicle owner, property owner, parent of a minor, legal guardian, authorized representative, insurer, or attorney. The exact showing required depends on the requester’s relationship to the collision. Contact CHP before submitting payment if eligibility is uncertain.
Complete the CHP 190 request
Download the current CHP collision report request instructions and CHP 190 form from the official website. Provide the collision date, location, driver or owner name, report number when known, your party-of-interest category, mailing address, applicant information, signature, and any insurer or agency information that applies.
If you do not know an exact date or location, CHP instructs requesters to provide an approximate date and as much location information as possible. Avoid guessing. Include cross streets, highway, direction, nearby exit, city, or county when known.
Identification and authorization
CHP instructs individual requesters to attach a photocopy of a driver license or other picture identification. If acceptable picture identification is not available, the CHP 190 form or written request may need to be notarized. A representative should include any signed authorization or documentation required to show authority. Send only what the official instructions request and protect the remaining copies securely.
Where to submit the request
A party of interest may visit a CHP office or mail the completed form to the CHP area office responsible for the report. CHP also says any CHP office can help obtain a report from another CHP area office or arrange for it to be mailed. The CHP website provides office information, and 1-800-TELL-CHP is listed for non-emergency questions such as accident reports and office locations.
Fees and delivery
CHP publishes page-based reproduction fees on its request page. As of this article’s update, the listed charge begins at $10 for reports of 1–25 pages and increases by page range. CHP instructs mail requesters to use a personal check or money order payable to California Highway Patrol, include the report number when known, and not send cash. Verify the current amount with the area office before mailing because fees can change.
After CHP verifies eligibility and receives payment, the report is mailed to the address provided. Processing time depends on whether the investigation is complete, the report has been approved for release, and the request contains enough information.
Review the report carefully
Compare the report with your photographs, exchange information, and personal timeline. Check driver and vehicle information, insurance, passengers, witnesses, location, diagram, road conditions, narrative, and attachments. If you identify a factual mistake or missing information, contact the reporting CHP office and ask whether it accepts a supplemental statement or correction request. Preserve the original and submit copies of supporting material.
A CHP collision report does not replace California’s separate DMV reporting requirement. The California DMV says an SR-1 must be submitted within 10 days when someone is injured or killed or property damage exceeds $1,000, even if CHP or an insurer also received a report.
See our broader guides to collision police reports and insurance claims.
General educational information only. Verify current eligibility, forms, fees, and procedures directly with CHP and obtain advice for your specific situation when needed.