Need a Copy of Your Georgia Police Report?

Short answer: can you get a copy of a police report you made?

Can you get a copy of a police report you made? Yes, usually. You ask the agency that wrote the report. The request goes to that agency, not to the other driver or an insurer.

Each agency sets its own steps, fees and identification rules (open records request). Confirm the details with the agency that answers your request. For the wider picture first, read our Georgia car accident guide.

If you are asking on behalf of someone who was hurt, say so when you request the report. Tell the agency who you are and how you are related to the person. The agency’s rules decide who may receive a copy.

Which agency holds your report

The agency that responded to the scene usually keeps the report. That may be a city police department, a county sheriff’s office, or the Georgia State Patrol, which often works on state highways.

To find the right agency, check the paperwork the officer gave you. The agency name often appears on the citation, the business card, or the report itself. The crash location also points to the responding agency.

Write down these details before you call or visit:

• The report or case number
• The date, time and exact location
• The names of the drivers or people involved
• The officer’s name or badge number, if you have it

Each agency sets its own request process; for example, Cobb County publishes its accident reports page. Your agency’s website may cover the same points, so check it before you submit anything.

How to request a copy: online, in person, or by mail

You can usually request a crash report online, in person, or by mail. Each agency posts which methods it accepts and what it charges.

• Online: Where the agency runs a portal, enter the report number and your details.
• In person: Go to the records window with photo identification and any form the agency requires.
• By mail: Send a written request with the report number, date, location, your contact information, and the payment the agency specifies.

Check the posted fee and accepted payment types before you send anything.

Keep a copy of your request. Save any receipt or confirmation number, too. A written request gives you a clear record of exactly what you asked for and when you asked.

Can you get a copy of a police report you made if the agency is slow to answer? Follow up in writing, and note the date of each contact. A simple log helps you stay organized.

What the report contains, and what may come later

A crash report usually lists the date, time and location. It also shows the vehicles and people involved, the officer’s narrative, any diagrams, and any citations. Witness details appear only when the officer recorded them.

If you ask too early, the report may not be finished yet.

Supplemental reports can come later. A copy you get today may not include follow-up information. Ask the agency whether a supplemental report exists when you request the main report.

Timing matters for your records. Gather your paperwork early so you don’t lose time. For more on the records question, read whether a car accident report is public record.

Questions people ask about police report copies

Usually, you get the full report from the agency, not from the officer at the scene. Here are short answers to the questions people ask most.

If the report has errors, and where to take the next step

A mistake in the report can be raised with the agency that wrote it. Common errors include wrong names, wrong plate numbers, and an incorrect description of how the crash happened.

Put each error in writing. Note the page and line, the date you raised it, and the name of the person you spoke with. Keep every request and reply together in one folder. That record can matter if the report is later needed for a claim.

A report may still be incomplete when you first request it. Others throw away the officer’s card or citation before they write down the report number. Keep those items until you have the full report.

While you wait, bills, repair estimates and insurance calls can keep coming. A report that does not match what happened can make the claim harder to explain. That is a lot to handle while you are still dealing with the crash.

If you want to talk through your crash and what the report says, T. Madden & Associates, P.C. offers a free, confidential first consultation with no obligation to continue. You can reach the firm through its contact page.

Responsible lawyer: Terance Madden, T. Madden & Associates, P.C., in practice since 1999, with offices in Jonesboro, Atlanta, Decatur, Macon and Augusta. Contact: https://www.tmaddenlaw.com/contact/.