What a North Carolina crash report is and where to get it
A North Carolina crash report is the official document filed by law enforcement when you are involved in a vehicle accident. The report contains details about the crash — the date, time, location, vehicles involved, driver information, and the officer's account of what happened. In North Carolina, the DMV's Crash Reporting Unit keeps these records and releases them to people with a legitimate reason to see them.
You can request a crash report from the North Carolina DMV, but you cannot order it online. You must request it by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through a third-party vendor that the DMV has authorized. The report itself is created by the police officer who responded to the accident, not by the DMV — the DMV straightforward stores and distributes copies.
Crash reports are public records in North Carolina, but access is restricted. You can request a report if you were involved in the crash, if you are an insurance company, attorney, or other authorized party, or if you have written permission from someone involved. You cannot request a report straightforward out of curiosity about someone else's accident.
Key Takeaways
- North Carolina crash reports are filed by police officers and stored by the DMV's Crash Reporting Unit, not available through online ordering.
- You can request a report by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through an authorized third-party vendor, and you will need to provide your driver's license number or the report number if you have it.
- The DMV charges a fee for crash reports, and the amount depends on whether you request a certified copy or an uncertified copy.
- If the crash happened recently, the report may not yet be in the DMV system — police departments typically submit reports within 10 business days, but delays happen.
- Scammers sometimes pose as crash report services online; only use the official DMV process or vendors listed on the North Carolina DMV website.
How to request a crash report by mail
To request a crash report by mail, send a letter to the North Carolina DMV's Crash Reporting Unit at 1100 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27697. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the date of the crash. If you know the crash report number, include that as well — it speeds up the search. If you do not know the report number, provide the location of the crash and the names of other drivers involved if possible.
Include a check or money order for the fee. An uncertified copy costs less than a certified copy. A certified copy has the DMV's official seal and signature and is what insurance companies and courts usually require. An uncertified copy is a photocopy without the seal. Call the DMV's Crash Reporting Unit at 919-715-7000 to confirm the current fee before you mail your request, because fees change.
Mail takes time. The DMV typically processes mail requests within 10 to 15 business days after receiving them, but mail delivery itself adds several days. If you need the report quickly, request it in person or through an authorized vendor instead.
Requesting a crash report in person at a DMV office
You can walk into any North Carolina DMV office and request a crash report at the counter. Bring your driver's license, the date of the crash, and the location if you do not have the report number. Some offices can print a copy on the spot if the report is in the system; others will take your information and mail it to you. Call ahead to ask whether your local office can print copies when ready, because this varies by location.
You will pay the fee in cash or card at the time of your request. If the report is not yet in the system — which happens if the crash was very recent or if the police department has not yet submitted it — the DMV will tell you when to check back or will mail you a copy once it arrives.
DMV offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some locations have extended hours on certain days. Check the DMV's office locator on its website to find the office nearest you and confirm its hours before you go.
Using an authorized third-party vendor
The North Carolina DMV has authorized certain companies to sell crash reports on its behalf. These vendors charge a higher fee than the DMV does, but they can often retrieve and mail reports faster. Search the North Carolina DMV website for "authorized crash report vendors" to find the current list — the list changes, so do not rely on an old vendor name.
When you use a vendor, you are paying for a service that retrieves the report from the DMV and sends it to you. The vendor does not create the report or have access to information the DMV does not have. You will still need to provide the same information — your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the crash date or report number.
Be cautious of vendors that appear in search results but are not on the official DMV list. Scammers sometimes create websites that look official and charge high fees for reports they may never send. Stick to vendors listed on the actual North Carolina DMV website.
What to do if the crash report is not yet in the system
Police officers have up to 10 business days to submit a crash report to the DMV, though many submit them within a few days. If your crash happened less than two weeks ago and the DMV says the report is not in the system, wait a few more days and try again. If it has been more than two weeks, contact the police department that responded to the crash directly — they can tell you whether the report was submitted and help you track it down.
If the police department says the report was submitted but the DMV cannot find it, ask the police department for the report number and provide that to the DMV. Sometimes a report is filed under a slightly different name or date than you expect, and the report number cuts through the confusion.
If you need the report urgently and it is not yet available, some insurance companies and attorneys can request it directly from the police department or DMV on your behalf. Ask your insurance agent or lawyer whether they can help.
Certified versus uncertified crash reports
A certified crash report has the official DMV seal, signature, and certification statement. Courts, insurance companies, and government agencies usually require a certified copy because it proves the document came directly from the DMV and has not been altered. Certified copies cost more than uncertified copies.
An uncertified crash report is a plain photocopy without the seal or signature. It contains the same information as a certified copy, but it does not carry the same legal weight. Some insurance companies will accept an uncertified copy for a claim, but you should ask first. If you are using the report for a lawsuit or court proceeding, request a certified copy.
When you request a report, specify which type you need. If you are unsure, ask your insurance company or attorney which version they require before you order.
Scam alerts and how to stay safe
Scammers create fake crash report websites that look similar to the real DMV site. They charge high fees — sometimes $50 to $100 or more — for reports that either never arrive or are just photocopies you could get cheaper from the DMV itself. To avoid this, always go directly to the official North Carolina DMV website (ncdmv.org) or call the Crash Reporting Unit at 919-715-7000 to confirm a vendor's name before you use it.
Do not give your Social Security number, credit card information, or bank account details to anyone claiming to retrieve a crash report for you unless you initiated the contact and you are certain they are legitimate. The DMV will never call you asking for payment information.
If you see an ad on social media or in a search result promising a "fast" or "may provide" crash report, be skeptical. The DMV's process takes time, and no vendor can speed it up significantly. If a website asks for payment before showing you the report, that is a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a crash report?
By mail, expect 10 to 15 business days after the DMV receives your request, plus mail delivery time. In person at a DMV office, you may get a copy the same day if the report is in the system, or you may need to wait for it to be mailed to you. Through a vendor, timing varies but is often faster than mail — check the vendor's website for their stated timeframe.
Can I get a crash report if I was not the driver?
Yes, if you were a passenger, a witness, or an insurance company or attorney involved in the case. You will need to provide your relationship to the crash and may need to provide written permission from one of the drivers. Call the Crash Reporting Unit at 919-715-7000 to ask what documentation you need.
What if I lost the crash report number?
Provide the date of the crash, the location, and the names of the other drivers involved. The DMV can search by these details. If you have your driver's license number, include that too. The search may take longer, but the DMV can usually find the report.
Do I need a certified copy or an uncertified copy?
If you are filing an insurance claim, ask your insurance company first — many accept uncertified copies. If you are involved in a lawsuit or need the report for court, request a certified copy. When in doubt, get a certified copy because it is accepted everywhere an uncertified copy is accepted.
Can I dispute what is in the crash report?
The crash report is the police officer's account of the accident. If you believe the report contains errors, contact the police department that filed it and ask about their process for corrections or amendments. You can also include your own written statement when you submit the report to your insurance company or court.