Traffic Accidents in Washington

If you were involved in a crash in Washington, your official crash report is typically kept by either the state highway patrol, the local police department or sheriff's office that responded, or the state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

1. Crashes on Highways and State Roads

For crashes handled on highways and state roads, you can usually request a basic crash report through the state patrol's central records unit. You'll need the driver name, crash date, case number, and crash location. Requests may take several business days to process.

2. Crashes Inside Cities and Counties

If your crash happened inside city or county limits, the local police department or sheriff's office is usually the custodian of the report. Most agencies allow you to request reports online, in person, or by mail, and they charge a small fee.

3. State DMV Records

The state Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency maintains statewide crash records for driver-history purposes. Processing can take several weeks as reports are entered into the state system.

This site is not affiliated with any state patrol, department of motor vehicles, or local law-enforcement agency. We provide general guidance and summaries only. Always use the official state or local portals to request certified copies of crash reports.