HomeCrash reportsMaryland
How to get a Maryland crash report
Copies come from Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) Central Records Division, for crashes handled by MSP barracks. Request one at mdsp.maryland.gov. Cost: $4.00 non-refundable document search fee, payable by check or money order to the Maryland State Police (no cash). Wait at least 10 days after the accident to allow time for processing.
Checked against the official pages on October 2, 2026
The statewide copy
| Who has it | Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) Central Records Division, for crashes handled by MSP barracks |
|---|---|
| Where to request it | mdsp.maryland.gov |
| Covers | Motor vehicle crash reports MSP wrote (request at the barrack that filed it or through Central Records). City and county police reports come from those agencies (for Baltimore City, the Baltimore Police Department Central Records Division). |
| Cost | $4.00 non-refundable document search fee, payable by check or money order to the Maryland State Police (no cash) |
| Usually ready | Wait at least 10 days after the accident to allow time for processing |
| What you need | The completed MSP motor vehicle report request form (the page lists crash date and location through that form) |
| By mail | Complete the motor vehicle report request form and mail it with a check or money order to the Central Records Division, or email the form to msp.crd@maryland.gov and then mail a $4 check or money order. In person at Central Records, Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or at the MSP barrack that filed the report. Phone 410-281-2700. |
Reports taken by city police or a sheriff
Each county or city police department and sheriff's office keeps its own crash reports, with its own fee: Baltimore City Police Central Records (410-396-2234 or 410-396-2222); Prince George's County lists a $20.00 fee through its Police Records Center line (301) 985-3660 (search-result excerpt of a county FAQ).
The form
Officers in Maryland write crash reports on the Maryland Automated Crash Reporting System (ACRS) crash report. Most boxes on it hold numeric codes for things like contributing factors, injuries and road conditions.
Your own report to the state
Yes, in some cases: you were in an accident that caused bodily injury to or death of any person. Not required if a police officer investigated and filed a report with the Department of State Police. Deadline: 15 days after the accident (with evidence of liability insurance). (Md. Code, Transportation 20-107)
When you must call the police
If no police officer is present and the other people involved cannot receive your information (for example they are hurt or gone), report the accident immediately to the nearest police authority. For injury or death you must also stop, stay and help. (Md. Code, Transportation 20-104(d) and 20-102(a)-(b))
After you have the report
Maryland gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101). Every Maryland deadline and fault rule.
Maryland is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.
2,901 people died in crashes in Maryland from 2020 to 2024 (NHTSA FARS). See the record for your county.
Check your deadline and a rough claim range
A filing date and a rough value range for Maryland. Both take under a minute.
Questions
How much does a Maryland crash report cost?
$4.00 non-refundable document search fee, payable by check or money order to the Maryland State Police (no cash), from Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) Central Records Division, for crashes handled by MSP barracks. Reports taken by a city police department or sheriff may be priced differently by that agency.
How long does it take to get a crash report in Maryland?
Wait at least 10 days after the accident to allow time for processing. The officer has to finish and submit the report before it can be sold.
Do I have to file my own crash report in Maryland?
Yes, in some cases: you were in an accident that caused bodily injury to or death of any person. Not required if a police officer investigated and filed a report with the Department of State Police. Deadline: 15 days after the accident (with evidence of liability insurance).
Sources
- Statewide crash reports: mdsp.maryland.gov/community-services/request-police-reports
MDSP: "You can get an official copy of a motor vehicle accident report in several ways. Wait at least 10 days after the accident occurred to allow time for processing. The motor vehicle report form requires a $4.00 non-refundable document search fee, payable by check or money order to the Maryland State Police (no cash)." "Visit the MSP barrack where the report was filed. Call ahead to confirm the report is ready. Complete the request a motor vehicle report form and mail it with a check or money order to the Central Records Division." "For crashes in the city of Baltimore, MD, contact the Balt…
- Local police and sheriff reports: mdsp.maryland.gov/community-services/request-police-reports
- Driver report duty (Md. Code, Transportation 20-107): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gtr§ion=20-107&enact
"The driver of each vehicle involved in an accident that results in bodily injury to or death of any person shall, within 15 days after the accident, report the matter in writing to the Administration." "A written accident report is not required under this section: (1) If the accident has been investigated by a police officer and a report by the police officer has been filed with the Department of State Police".
- When to call police (Md. Code, Transportation 20-104(d) and 20-102(a)-(b)): mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gtr§ion=20-104&enact
"If a police officer is not present and none of the specified persons is in condition to receive the information to which the person otherwise would be entitled under this section, the driver, after fulfilling to the extent possible every other requirement of § 20–102 of this title and subsection (a) of this section, immediately shall report the accident to the nearest office of an authorized police authority and give the information specified in subsection (b) of this section."
Read October 2, 2026. Laws and fees change; the linked page is the authority.