How to get a car accident report in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The local steps are quoted from Philadelphia agency pages and the Pennsylvania rules from state law, each with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
The short answer
Philadelphia crash reports come from the city Department of Records, not from the police. The city runs its own public safety reports site where you make an account and apply online.
Wait 2 to 3 weeks after the crash before you ask for the report.
A Philadelphia crash report costs $25.
Online
The portal Philadelphia uses
Philadelphia crash reports come from the city Department of Records, not from the police. The city runs its own public safety reports site where you make an account and apply online.
“You can get copies of public safety records from the Department of Records.”
What it costs
A Philadelphia crash report costs $25.
“Police accident report: $25”
When it is ready
Wait 2 to 3 weeks after the crash before you ask for the report.
“PLEASE ALLOW 2 TO 3 WEEKS FROM DATE OF CRASH BEFORE APPLYING FOR COPIES.”
In person or by mail
The records office
If you cannot use the website, mail or drop off the application and payment at the Department of Records Public Safety Records Unit in City Hall, Room 170, 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19107.
“Department of Records Public Safety Records Unit City Hall, Room 170 1400 John F. Kennedy Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19107”
If no officer came to your crash
Filing it yourself
When no officer comes, you report the crash yourself to a Philadelphia police district, either by walking in or over the phone, and the district is not allowed to turn down a phone report.
“Districts shall not refuse to accept a crash report by phone.”
What Pennsylvania requires you to file
If police do not investigate a crash that should have been reported, the driver must send a written report to PennDOT within 5 days.
“If a police officer does not investigate an accident required to be investigated by section 3746 (relating to immediate notice of accident to police department), the driver of a vehicle which is in any manner involved in the accident shall, within five days of the accident, forward a written report of the accident to the department.”
If the crash was on a highway
A different agency has that report
The Pennsylvania State Police cover Philadelphia County through Troop K and work the crashes on the roads they patrol, including the expressways. Their report costs $22 and is not available until 15 days after the crash.
“The fee for a crash report is $22. Crash reports are available 15 days after the date of the crash.”
Requesting a Pennsylvania state police report
You can request a copy of a Pennsylvania State Police crash report online. It costs $22 and is not available until 15 days after the crash.
“The fee for a crash report is $22. Crash reports are available 15 days after the date of the crash. Use the Online Crash Report Requests site to get a crash report.”
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
- City of Philadelphia, Get a copy of a public safety report
- City of Philadelphia Department of Records, Document recording and service fees
- City of Philadelphia Department of Records, Application for Crash Report
- Philadelphia Police Department, Directive 9.6 Vehicular Crashes
- Pennsylvania State Police, Request a Copy of a Vehicle Crash Report
- Philadelphia Police Department, PPD Contacts
The state law behind these steps
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.