How do I get a copy of a police report?

Request it from the records division of the agency that filed it — most offer online, mail, or in-person requests, sometimes for a small fee. You'll usually need the report (case) number, the date, and the names involved, plus a photo ID. Some reports, especially for active investigations, may be restricted until the case closes.

How much does it cost to get a police report, and how long does it take?

Many agencies provide a basic report free or for a small fee, often in the range of a few dollars to about $25, with copying charges for longer reports. Processing commonly takes from a few days up to about 30 days once the report is finalized. Fees and timelines vary by department, so check the records division's published schedule.

Why do I need a police report for an insurance claim?

Insurers often require a police report to substantiate claims for theft, vandalism, or accidents — it's independent documentation that the incident occurred and was reported. Filing promptly and providing the report number speeds your claim. Without a report, an insurer may delay or deny coverage for certain loss types.

Do I file a police report for identity theft, or report it to the FTC?

Both. The FTC recommends first reporting at IdentityTheft.gov to generate an FTC Identity Theft Report and recovery plan, then filing a report with your local police. Many departments ask for the FTC report when you file. Together the two documents help block fraudulent accounts and prove the theft to creditors and credit bureaus.

What information is in a police report?

A police report includes the report/case number, the date, time, and location of the incident, the parties involved (victims, suspects, witnesses), the responding officer and agency, and a narrative describing what happened. For accidents it may add diagrams and citations. The case number is the key detail for retrieving and referencing it later.

How long should I keep a police report?

Keep it at least as long as any related insurance claim, legal case, or statute of limitations — commonly three to seven years, and longer for serious matters. These claims and cases can take years to resolve or resurface, and the report is your documentation that the incident occurred and was officially recorded.

Legal

Police Report

A police report is the official document an officer files to record an incident — a crime, theft, accident, or disturbance. It includes the report (case) number, date and location, the parties and officer involved, and a narrative of what happened. It's commonly required for insurance claims and legal proceedings.

Written & maintained by the Granite team · Last updated June 2026

Overview

A law enforcement agency creates a police report when an officer responds to or takes a report of an incident. The report number is the key to retrieving it later and the reference insurers and courts ask for. Obtaining a copy usually means a request to the agency's records division — online, by mail, or in person — sometimes for a small fee.

For insurance claims — theft, vandalism, an accident — a police report is often a precondition for payout. Filing promptly and keeping the report number and copy protects your ability to claim and to document the event.

When you’ll get your Police Report

You were the victim of theft, vandalism, or a crime
You're filing an insurance claim that requires a report
You were involved in or witnessed an incident
You need documentation for a legal proceeding
You reported identity theft and need it on record

What’s on your Police Report

These are the fields Granite reads and extracts automatically the moment you upload one.

Report / Case Number: The agency's identifier — needed to retrieve the report and reference it on claims.
Incident Date & Time: When the reported event occurred.
Location: Where the incident took place.
Parties Involved: The people named — victims, suspects, witnesses.
Reporting Officer / Agency: The officer and department that filed the report.
Narrative: The officer's account of what happened.

How long to keep it

Keep a police report at least as long as any related claim, case, or statute of limitations — commonly 3–7 years, longer for serious matters.

A police report underpins insurance claims and legal actions that can take years to resolve or resurface. Keeping the report and its number means you can substantiate the incident whenever an insurer, attorney, or court asks — well after the event and any initial claim.

How Granite handles your Police Report

Granite reads a police report — case number, date, location, parties, and agency — and files it with your legal or insurance documents. The report number, which insurers and courts always ask for, is captured and searchable, so when a claim drags on or a related matter resurfaces months later, the report is one search away rather than lost in a drawer.

FAQ

Police Report: common questions

How do I get a copy of a police report?: Request it from the records division of the agency that filed it — most offer online, mail, or in-person requests, sometimes for a small fee. You'll usually need the report (case) number, the date, and the names involved, plus a photo ID. Some reports, especially for active investigations, may be restricted until the case closes.
How much does it cost to get a police report, and how long does it take?: Many agencies provide a basic report free or for a small fee, often in the range of a few dollars to about $25, with copying charges for longer reports. Processing commonly takes from a few days up to about 30 days once the report is finalized. Fees and timelines vary by department, so check the records division's published schedule.
Why do I need a police report for an insurance claim?: Insurers often require a police report to substantiate claims for theft, vandalism, or accidents — it's independent documentation that the incident occurred and was reported. Filing promptly and providing the report number speeds your claim. Without a report, an insurer may delay or deny coverage for certain loss types.
Do I file a police report for identity theft, or report it to the FTC?: Both. The FTC recommends first reporting at IdentityTheft.gov to generate an FTC Identity Theft Report and recovery plan, then filing a report with your local police. Many departments ask for the FTC report when you file. Together the two documents help block fraudulent accounts and prove the theft to creditors and credit bureaus.
What information is in a police report?: A police report includes the report/case number, the date, time, and location of the incident, the parties involved (victims, suspects, witnesses), the responding officer and agency, and a narrative describing what happened. For accidents it may add diagrams and citations. The case number is the key detail for retrieving and referencing it later.
How long should I keep a police report?: Keep it at least as long as any related insurance claim, legal case, or statute of limitations — commonly three to seven years, and longer for serious matters. These claims and cases can take years to resolve or resurface, and the report is your documentation that the incident occurred and was officially recorded.

Sources

This page is checked against primary and authoritative sources:

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