How do I get a police report after an accident in Seattle?

By Michael Shemtoub, trial attorney, Beverly Law. Updated November 2026.

SPD, the State Patrol, or both

On Seattle city streets, the Seattle Police Department responds. On I-5, I-90, SR 520 and other state routes, Washington State Patrol troopers usually handle the crash. WSP’s bureaus page says its Field Operations Bureau handles traffic enforcement, collision investigation and motorist assists on 17,524 miles of state and interstate highways, and that District Two serves King County.

Either way, the report ends up with WSP. SPD’s collision page says WSP “is the custodian of all collision reports within the State of Washington.” For a crash outside city limits, SPD tells people to contact the local agency or search WSP’s system.

Getting the report from SPD

SPD’s requesting records page says involved parties, meaning victims, complainants and their legal representatives, can ask for a collision report without a public disclosure request. Reports are usually available about 5 to 7 business days after the event.

SPD’s Front Counter Services page says collision reports can be requested at any time, are not available online, and are released unredacted. You can ask in person at Police Headquarters, 610 5th Avenue, or by mail to the SPD Public Request Unit, PO Box 34986, Seattle, WA 98124, or by fax at (206) 684-1910. Report requests require identification such as a state-issued ID or passport, and a third party needs a letter of representation. SPD says its precinct lobbies open as staffing allows, so call (206) 625-5011 before you go.

Buying it from the State Patrol for $10.50

WSP’s collision records page runs the Washington Request for Electronic Collision Records system (WRECR). You search by an involved person’s name and the collision date, and you need an email account to complete the order. The fee is $10.50 per copy, which WSP charges under RCW 46.52.085.

Timing is the catch. WSP says a report can take up to 2 to 4 weeks in total to become available, because officers have that long to finish the investigation and get supervisor approval, though a report is typically available much sooner. A certified copy takes 5 to 7 business days. By mail, send WSP’s request form with a $10.50 check or money order to Washington State Patrol, Collision Records Section, P.O. Box 42628, Olympia, WA 98504-2628. WSP does not take cash.

WSP gives entitled parties a non-redacted copy. Anyone else gets a redacted copy under the Public Records Act. WSP keeps collision records for 10 years.

Two kinds of reports, and your own duty to file

WSP describes two forms. The Police Traffic Collision Report (PTCR) is the one an officer completes. The Motor Vehicle Collision Report (MVCR) is the civilian report a driver, pedestrian, cyclist or property owner files.

When no officer files a PTCR, the driver’s report is mandatory. RCW 46.52.030 requires the driver in a crash with injury, death or property damage at or above the state threshold to file within four days. WSP sets that threshold at $1,000 of damage to any one unit. In a city, the statute sends the report to the police chief; elsewhere, to the sheriff or the State Patrol. WSP’s online MVCR is the fastest option and gives you a report number on the spot, which WSP says most insurers need.

The form must cover the location and circumstances of the crash, the vehicles, insurance information, injuries, damages claimed and whether any driver was distracted, such as by a handheld phone. You may keep a copy.

If the Seattle report has an error

WSP says only the officer who completed a report can make changes to it. Write to that officer through SPD or WSP with the report number, the error and your proof, such as photos or a witness statement. If the officer will not change it, you can file your own MVCR, which RCW 46.52.030 allows even when an officer reported, so your version of events is on file.

Video, 911 audio and other SPD records

Video and other records need a public disclosure request through SPD’s online Records Request Center. SPD lists videos and audio, incident reports, calls for service, photographs and witness statements among the records you can request, and the city must make a preliminary response within five business days. SPD’s fee schedule charges $0.15 per printed page and $0.09 per gigabyte for digital files, with flat redaction deposits of $1.25 for non-targeted and $5.00 for targeted redaction.

Calls to 911 now sit with a different department. A city bulletin says that starting October 1, 2026, the CARE Department took over from SPD the requests for 911 audio, radio and CAD records. For SDOT, WSDOT and bus video, see how to get traffic camera footage in Seattle.

Will a jury see the collision report?

Generally no. RCW 46.52.080 says required accident reports, supplemental reports and copies of them may not be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of the accident, with a narrow exception for prosecuting certain charges. The same law requires disclosure of the names and addresses of the people involved and the witnesses to anyone with a proper interest, including the drivers and their lawyers and insurers. The report’s main value is the leads it gives you.

The three states where the firm practices treat trial use and the driver’s report differently:

Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou.

What this means for your case

If no officer came, file your MVCR within four days. Then get the officer’s report from SPD or WSP and use its witness names and insurance details to build the claim. Ask CARE for the 911 audio and SPD for video early. Washington generally allows three years to file an injury suit (RCW 4.16.080); see Washington’s deadline to sue after a car crash. Our Seattle car accident lawyers can request every record for you.

Common questions

Related pages

Injury law FAQs

Important: This page is general information, not legal or medical advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: November 7, 2026.