How to Get Your Police Report in Phoenix

The fastest way to request your Phoenix crash report is through the Phoenix Police Public Records portal at phxpublicsafety.phoenix.gov. Create an account, then submit a request for your traffic accident report. You will need to provide the date of the accident, the approximate location, and the names of the parties involved. If you have the report number (DR number) from the responding officer, include it — this is the fastest way to locate your report.

The portal charges a $5 convenience fee upon submission. If the actual cost of your request is less than $5, you will receive a refund once the request is completed. If the request costs more than $5 — for example, if the report is lengthy or includes supplemental reports — you will be notified of the additional amount due through your portal account. Payment is processed online.

Processing times typically range from 7 to 15 business days, though serious accidents or ongoing investigations may take longer. You will receive notification through your portal account when the report is ready. During high-volume periods, processing times may extend. If your report is not available after 15 business days, contact the Public Records and Services Unit at (602) 534-1127 for a status update.

If you prefer to get your report in person, visit the Phoenix Police Department Public Records and Services Unit at 1717 E. Grant Street, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85034. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and city-observed holidays. Phone: (602) 534-1127.

Bring a photo ID and, if you have it, the crash report number (DR number) or the date and location of the accident. The records staff can look up your report by name and date if you do not have the report number. Fees for in-person copies are based on the City of Phoenix public records fee schedule. Bring payment — fees may vary based on the number of pages.

You can also submit your request by email. Visit phoenix.gov and select the Police Public Records Request option, or access the portal directly at phxpublicsafety.phoenix.gov. Email requests are processed in the same queue as online requests.

Not all accidents in the Phoenix metro area are investigated by the Phoenix Police Department. If your accident occurred on an interstate (I-10, I-17) or state highway, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) may have responded. Request DPS reports through the DPS Records Unit at (602) 223-2222 or online at azdps.gov/request-records. DPS also accepts requests by mail at P.O. Box 6638, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6638.

If your accident occurred in a suburb — Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, or Surprise — the responding agency was that city's police department. Contact that department's records division directly for your crash report. Each agency has its own records request process and fee schedule.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) handles accidents in unincorporated areas of Maricopa County. Request MCSO reports online at mcso.org/i-want-to/request-a-report or by contacting their Records Division. MCSO reports may also be requested in person at 550 W. Jackson Street, Suite 1004, Phoenix, AZ 85003.

To request your crash report through the Phoenix Police portal, you need at least one of the following: the crash report number (DR number — the responding officer should have given you this at the scene on a card or receipt), the date of the accident, the approximate location, or the name of a person involved in the crash.

If you were taken from the scene by ambulance and did not receive a report number, do not worry. You can search by your last name and the date of the accident. The report number may also appear on the tow receipt if your vehicle was towed, or on any paperwork from the responding officer. If a family member was at the scene, check with them.

For in-person requests, a photo ID and the date and approximate location of the accident are usually sufficient. If you were not the driver — for example, you were a passenger or a pedestrian — bring any documentation that connects you to the accident, such as an ER discharge summary or an insurance claim number.

Arizona crash reports contain a detailed record of the accident. The report includes the date, time, and exact location of the crash, weather and road conditions, a diagram of the accident scene showing vehicle positions and directions of travel, and the names, addresses, driver's license numbers, and insurance information for all drivers and passengers involved.

The responding officer's narrative is the most important section for your injury claim. The narrative describes what the officer observed at the scene, what the drivers and witnesses said, and the officer's assessment of how the accident occurred. If the officer determined that one driver was at fault — ran a red light, failed to yield, was following too closely — the narrative will say so. If the officer issued a citation, that is powerful evidence supporting your claim.

The report also notes whether anyone was injured, whether anyone was transported by ambulance, and whether any driver appeared to be impaired. Witness contact information is included if witnesses were present and spoke to the officer. All of this information becomes part of the evidence in your personal injury case.

The police report is one of the first documents the insurance company reviews when evaluating your claim. It documents the officer's assessment of fault, whether citations were issued, the severity of the impact, and the injuries reported at the scene. An officer's determination that the other driver was at fault — especially if backed by a citation — puts significant pressure on the insurance company to offer a fair settlement.

The report also establishes a timeline. It documents when the accident occurred, when police arrived, and what injuries were reported at the scene. If you develop symptoms later that were not immediately apparent — whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries often take 24 to 72 hours to manifest — the report provides context that supports the connection between the accident and your delayed symptoms.

If the police report contains errors — your name is misspelled, the accident description is wrong, or the fault determination seems incorrect — you can request a correction or supplement. Contact the Phoenix Police Public Records and Services Unit at (602) 534-1127 to ask about the correction process. Your attorney can also address report inaccuracies as part of your claim.

Arizona law (A.R.S. § 28-663) requires drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage to stop at the scene, provide identification and insurance information, and render reasonable assistance to any injured person. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death is a felony under A.R.S. § 28-661 — a Class 2 or Class 3 felony depending on severity. Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage only is a Class 2 misdemeanor under A.R.S. § 28-662.

Under A.R.S. § 28-667, a written crash report is required for any accident resulting in bodily injury, death, or property damage exceeding $2,000. For accidents with property damage of $2,000 or less that do not involve injury or a citation, law enforcement completes an abbreviated report. If no officer responds to the scene and damage exceeds $2,000 or there is any injury, you should still file a report with the investigating agency.

If the other driver left the scene (hit-and-run), call 911 immediately and file a police report. A documented hit-and-run report is essential for your insurance claim, particularly if you need to use your own uninsured motorist coverage. Arizona's statute of limitations for personal injury is 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542) — do not wait to get your police report and begin your claim.

If you have been in an accident in Phoenix and have your police report, get your free Injury Claim Check. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Arizona's filing deadline for your specific claim, your legal options based on the details of your accident, and whether connecting with a Phoenix personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Your police report is an important piece of the puzzle, but understanding the full picture — fault, insurance coverage, medical documentation, deadlines — is what determines the strength of your claim. Arizona's pure comparative fault system means even partial fault on your side reduces your recovery. Our Injury Claim Check gives you clear, actionable information about what comes next. Free, confidential, and takes less time than waiting on hold with the records office.