Accident Report Resources · State agency
How to Request a California Highway Patrol Accident Report
If the California Highway Patrol responded to your collision, the CHP holds the report. Here is how to identify it and request an official copy directly from the CHP.
- Jurisdiction
- State highways and freeways, and unincorporated areas of California
- Request form
- CHP 190
- Official website
- www.chp.ca.gov
Step by step
Requesting a CHP report
- When CHP may have the report
The California Highway Patrol generally investigates collisions on state highways and freeways, and in unincorporated areas. If the CHP responded to your collision, the CHP most likely holds the report.
- Who may request a report
The CHP releases reports to a “Party of Interest”: drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, passengers, parents of minors, legal guardians, vehicle or property owners, legal representatives, manufacturer representatives, or insurers with a valid claim or policy number. Release is governed by California Vehicle Code § 20012.
- Information commonly needed
- Collision date (exact or approximate)
- Collision location (address or nearby details)
- Driver or vehicle-owner name
- Your name and address
- Which Party-of-Interest category applies to you
- Your signature; fees apply
- Official request options
- Online through the CHP Crash Portal
- In person at the nearest CHP Area office
- By mail using form CHP 190 to the nearest CHP Area office
Verify current steps and fees on the official CHP resource below — procedures can change.
- If you do not have a report number
The CHP does not require a report number to look up a collision. Provide the date, location and involved parties, and contact the CHP Area office that covers where the collision happened. You can also use Find My Accident to locate the record first.
Official resource
Request your report from California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is the authoritative source for this report. SoCal Crash Report does not issue or hold official reports.
Locate your accident
Not sure which report is yours?
Use Find My Accident to search recent Southern California collisions by location, date and road. If it is not listed, you can ask for help locating your accident information and next steps.
Sources & verification
Last verified Sep 17, 2026- California Highway Patrol — Request a Crash Report
- CHP — Collision Report (CHP 190)
- CHP Online Crash Report System
- California Vehicle Code § 20012
Agency procedures can change. If any detail here is out of date, please let us know — the official agency resource is always the authoritative source.
Editorial trust
An independent information resource
SoCal Crash Report helps you find accident information and official request resources. We are not a police department, a government agency, or an official crash-report database, and we do not issue accident reports.