A Statement of Facts is a document the California DMV issues to describe what happened in a traffic collision or other incident
The Statement of Facts is an official record created by a California Highway Patrol officer or local police officer who responded to a traffic collision. It describes the circumstances of the crash — where it happened, what vehicles were involved, weather conditions, and the officer's observations about how the collision occurred. The DMV does not investigate collisions itself; it receives these reports from law enforcement and keeps them on file.
You may need a copy of this document if you are filing an insurance claim, if you were cited and want to contest the citation, or if you need proof of what happened for a civil lawsuit. The Statement of Facts is different from a police report, though they often contain overlapping information. The police report is the full incident record kept by the agency that responded; the Statement of Facts is the specific document the DMV maintains.
California law allows you to request your Statement of Facts from the DMV, and the DMV will provide it if one exists for your collision. The document is public record unless it involves certain sensitive circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- A Statement of Facts is created by the officer who responded to your collision and filed with the California DMV as an official record of what happened.
- You can request a copy from the DMV in person, by mail, or online through the DMV website, and you will receive it within one to two weeks if the record exists.
- The document costs between $2 and $5 depending on how you request it, and you will need the collision date, location, and vehicle information to search for it.
- A Statement of Facts is public record and can be used for insurance claims, traffic court defense, or civil lawsuits, but it is not the same as the full police report.
How to Request Your Statement of Facts from the DMV
The fastest way to get a Statement of Facts is through the California DMV website. Go to dmv.ca.gov, select "Order Driving Records," and choose the option for collision reports or statements of facts. You will need to provide the date of the collision, the county where it occurred, and the names of the drivers involved. You can pay online with a credit card, and the DMV will mail the document to you within one to two weeks.
If you prefer to request it in person, visit any California DMV office with your driver's license and the collision details. The staff will search their system and can sometimes print a copy on the spot, though if the record is stored off-site it may take longer. You can also mail a written request to the DMV with a check or money order, but this method takes the longest — typically three to four weeks.
The cost is usually $2 to $5 depending on the number of pages and how you request it. Some DMV offices charge a small additional fee for in-person requests. If you cannot find the record through the DMV, you can contact the police agency that responded to the collision directly; they may have a copy of their own report.
What Information Is Included in a Statement of Facts
The Statement of Facts includes the date, time, and exact location of the collision. It lists all vehicles involved, the names and contact information of the drivers, and whether anyone was injured or killed. The officer describes road and weather conditions, traffic control devices that were present, and the apparent cause of the collision based on their investigation at the scene.
The document also notes whether citations were issued, though it does not include the full text of those citations. It may describe vehicle damage, skid marks, or other physical evidence the officer observed. However, it does not include the officer's subjective conclusions about fault in the way a police report might; it is more factual and limited in scope.
One important limitation: the Statement of Facts reflects only what the responding officer saw or learned at the scene. If witnesses gave conflicting accounts or if the officer did not interview all parties, those gaps will be reflected in the document. It is not a complete investigation — it is a snapshot of what was documented in the when ready aftermath.
When You Need a Statement of Facts vs. a Police Report
Insurance companies often ask for a Statement of Facts because it is an official DMV record and is easier to verify than a police report. If you are filing a claim, your insurance company may retrieve it directly from the DMV, or they may ask you to provide it. The Statement of Facts is usually sufficient for the insurance process.
A police report is more detailed and includes the officer's narrative, witness statements, and sometimes photographs or diagrams. If you are contesting a citation in traffic court or pursuing a civil lawsuit, you may want both documents. The police report gives you more context and detail; the Statement of Facts is the official DMV record that confirms the collision occurred and was reported.
You can request the police report directly from the police agency that responded — usually the California Highway Patrol if the collision was on a freeway, or the local police or sheriff's department if it was on a city street or county road. Police reports typically cost $10 to $25 and take one to two weeks to arrive by mail.
Using a Statement of Facts for Traffic Court or a Lawsuit
If you received a citation from the officer at the scene and want to contest it in traffic court, the Statement of Facts can support your defense. It is an official document that the court will recognize, and it may contain details that contradict the citation or support your version of events. You can bring it to your court date or submit it in advance to the court clerk.
For a civil lawsuit — for example, if you are suing the other driver for damages — the Statement of Facts is admissible evidence in California courts. It establishes the basic facts of what happened and can be used to support your claim. However, it is not a substitute for your own evidence, witness testimony, or informed analysis. An attorney can advise you on how to use it most effectively in your case.
If the Statement of Facts contains an error or omission that affects your case, you can request a correction from the DMV. This process is less common and may require documentation, but it is possible if the record is factually inaccurate.
How Long the DMV Keeps Statements of Facts on File
California keeps collision records on file for a minimum of three years from the date of the collision. After that, the record may be archived or destroyed depending on DMV storage policies. If you need a Statement of Facts, it is best to request it within the first few years after the collision while it is in the active system.
If the collision is more than three years old, the DMV may still have it, but you may need to contact them directly to search archived records. This can take longer and may cost more. Some police agencies keep their own copies indefinitely, so if the DMV no longer has the record, the responding police department may still be able to provide their report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Statement of Facts if I was not the driver in the collision?
Yes. Statements of Facts are public record in California. If you were a passenger, a witness, or a third party with a legitimate reason to access the record, you can request it from the DMV. You will need the collision date and location, but you do not need to be one of the drivers involved.
What if the Statement of Facts has the wrong information about what happened?
You can contact the DMV and request a correction. You will need to provide documentation or evidence that the record is inaccurate. The DMV will review your request and may contact the responding officer. Corrections can take several weeks to process.
Does a Statement of Facts show who was at fault?
No. The Statement of Facts describes what happened, but it does not assign legal fault or liability. That information is made by insurance companies, courts, or other parties based on the facts in the document and other evidence. The officer's observations may suggest a cause, but the document itself does not say who was at fault.
Can I order a Statement of Facts online if the collision happened in another state?
No. The California DMV only maintains records for collisions that occurred in California. If your collision happened in another state, you will need to contact that state's DMV or the police agency in that state to request their collision report or equivalent document.
How much does it cost to get a Statement of Facts?
The cost is typically $2 to $5 through the DMV website or by mail. In-person requests at a DMV office may cost slightly more. Some offices charge an additional processing fee. Payment methods vary by request type — online requests accept credit cards, while mail requests require a check or money order.