How Long Before the Police Report Becomes Available?
(Texas & San Antonio Guide)
Quick answer: Most Texas crash reports post in 5–10 business days. Serious injury/fatality, DUI, commercial vehicle, or multi-vehicle investigations can run 2–3+ weeks—sometimes longer if reconstructions or supplements are pending. Officers must file the report with TxDOT within 10 days of the crash; availability to you depends on the agency’s approval workflow and TxDOT processing. (Texas Statutes)
What actually controls the timing
- Statutory filing deadline: For qualifying crashes, the investigating officer must file electronically with TxDOT no later than the 10th day after the crash. Agencies still need internal approval before release, and TxDOT has to ingest the report. (Texas Statutes)
- Agency & workflow: SAPD, BCSO, and DPS/Highway Patrol submit through TxDOT’s CRIS/CRASH systems; each has different supervisor approval steps. (Texas Department of Transportation)
- Severity/complexity: Injury/fatal, DUI, 18-wheeler, and reconstruction cases get extra review; supplements may follow later.
- Missing pieces: Late insurance info, witness statements, or diagram revisions can delay approval.
- Backlogs & holidays: Record units and TxDOT processing can slow public release.
Where (and how) to get your Texas crash report
1) Statewide (covers DPS/Highway Patrol and many locals)
TxDOT CRIS – Crash Report Online Purchase System
- Search by name, date, location, or Crash ID if you have it.
- Fees: $6 (regular) or $8 (certified). Certified is safest for court/insurers.
- Who can buy: People “directly concerned” (involved parties, owners, parents of a driver, insurers/adjusters, reps, certain media, vehicle storage facilities, etc.). Others get redacted copies. (Texas Department of Transportation)
Pro tip: If CRIS can’t find it yet, the officer may not have uploaded/approved it—or TxDOT hasn’t processed it. Check again in 24–72 hours. (Texas Department of Transportation)
2) San Antonio Police Department (SAPD)
- Order online, by mail, or in person via SAPD Records (315 S. Santa Rosa). The city’s page lists process and forms; phone ordering isn’t available. Typical posting: ~7–10 business days after the crash. (San Antonio)
3) Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO)
- BCSO directs crash reports to the TxDOT CRIS portal. For offense/incident (non-crash) reports, contact Central Records. (Bexar County)
“Why can’t I see it yet?” Common scenarios
- It’s within 10 days of the crash. The officer may still be within the statutory window. (Texas Statutes)
- Supervisor approval pending or TxDOT ingest delay (common in heavy caseload weeks). (Texas Department of Transportation)
- Supplements coming. Officers can (and often do) add supplements—e.g., corrected insurance or new witness info. (Texas Statutes)
- Wrong portal. Some agencies only release via TxDOT CRIS, not their own site. (Example: BCSO.) (Bexar County)
What’s inside a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3)
- Identification: vehicles, drivers, owners, VINs, insurers.
- Narrative & diagram: officer’s account, impact points, road conditions.
- Contributing factors & codes: suspected impairment, distraction, speed, unit maneuvers.
- Injuries & transport: severity codes, EMS/hospital.
- Commercial vehicle boxes (when applicable).
- Supplements for later-learned info or corrections. (Material changes must be by the original officer, or by clearly identified written supplement.) (Texas Statutes)
Who can get the report (and what gets redacted)
Texas Transportation Code §550.065 makes crash reports confidential to the general public, but requires release (on written request + fee) to people “directly concerned”—involved parties, owners, parents/guardians, insurers, authorized reps, certain news outlets, vehicle storage facilities, etc. Others receive redacted versions. Fees are $6(copy) or $8 (certified). (Texas Statutes)
Costs & formats
- $6 regular PDF via CRIS
- $8 certified PDF (recommended for claims/litigation)
- Small online processing surcharge may apply. (Texas Department of Transportation)
Step-by-step: Buy your report on CRIS
- Go to TxDOT’s Crash Report Online Purchase System.
- Enter name(s) + date + city/county (or Crash ID).
- Confirm you’re an eligible requester under §550.065 and complete payment.
- TxDOT emails a download link (often same day once posted). (Texas Department of Transportation)
Blue Form (CR-2) — do I still need it?
No. TxDOT no longer retains or provides the driver’s CR-2 “Blue Form.” If an officer didn’t investigate, keep any local form for your own records; it won’t be on file with TxDOT. (Texas Department of Transportation)
Delays & holds: what to do
- Call the records unit (have your case number, date, location, names). Ask if the report is filed/approved or if a supplement is pending.
- Re-check CRIS in 48–72 hours. Many updates post overnight or after weekend batches. (Texas Department of Transportation)
- Serious/fatal crashes: Expect longer timelines. You may see initial CR-3 + later supplements as recon, toxicology, or commercial-vehicle data arrive.
- Can’t find it anywhere? Confirm the investigating agency (SAPD vs. BCSO vs. DPS) and the spelling of names used in the report.
Fixing errors in the report
Bring proof (photos, repair estimates, medical records, dash-cam, witnesses). Ask the reporting officer/agency for a supplemental correction. By statute, material changes are made by the reporting officer or via a written supplement identifying who made the change. (Texas Statutes)
Will insurance wait on the report?
Often yes. Adjusters want the officer’s findings and codes before final liability decisions. You can still open a claim and treat, but avoid casual recorded statements; let counsel handle communications.
Security note (FYI)
TxDOT reported a CRIS data incident in May 2025 involving improperly downloaded crash reports. If you receive a notification letter, use the official support contacts provided. (This doesn’t affect the availability of most reports.) (Houston Chronicle)
Typical timelines (at a glance)
| Agency in Texas | Typical posting window* | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Police (SAPD) | ~7–10 business days | SAPD Records (online/mail/in person) or CRIS, depending on posting. (San Antonio) |
| Bexar County Sheriff (BCSO) | ~7–14 business days | CRIS purchase; incident/offense via BCSO Central Records. (Bexar County) |
| Texas DPS / Highway Patrol | ~10–15 business days | CRIS purchase. (Texas Department of Transportation) |
| Other Texas city/campus police | 5 business days–3+ weeks | That agency’s records site or CRIS. (Texas Department of Transportation) |
*Windows are general, not guarantees; serious cases can take longer.
Why many families let Ryan Orsatti Law handle it
We order the report, track supplements, and keep you updated—so you can focus on healing. Clients point to clear communication, direct access to the attorney, and strong results.
Local strength, statewide reach
Ryan Orsatti Law — Personal Injury, Texas
4634 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249
Call/Text: 210-525-1200 | Hablamos Español
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Legal notes & sources
- Officer must file the crash report with TxDOT within 10 days; eligibility, fees ($6, $8 certified), and redaction rules appear in Texas Transportation Code §§550.062 & 550.065 and TxDOT’s CRIS guidance. (Texas Statutes)
- SAPD open records process and forms; BCSO directs crash reports to TxDOT. (San Antonio)
- CR-2 (“Blue Form”) no longer retained by TxDOT. (Texas Department of Transportation)
This blog is for informational purposes only, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.