HomeCrash reportsWashingtonSeattle Police Department
How to get a crash report from the Seattle Police Department
The Seattle Police Department sells crash reports through WSP WRECR (state portal) at wrecr.wsp.wa.gov. Cost: $10.50 per report through WSP (WRECR or by mail); SPD's own pages do not state a fee for its front-counter collision reports. SPD: reports take approximately 5-7 business days from the date of the incident to become available for release. WSP: officers have 2-4 weeks to complete and approve a report, typically much sooner.
From the Seattle Police Department's own pages, checked October 2, 2026
Requesting the report
| Covers | collisions inside Seattle city limits worked by SPD (Washington State Patrol is the state custodian of all collision reports) |
|---|---|
| Request online | wrecr.wsp.wa.gov |
| Cost | $10.50 per report through WSP (WRECR or by mail); SPD's own pages do not state a fee for its front-counter collision reports |
| Usually ready | SPD: reports take approximately 5-7 business days from the date of the incident to become available for release. WSP: officers have 2-4 weeks to complete and approve a report, typically much sooner. |
| What you need | WSP WRECR: name of the involved party(s) and the date of the collision. SPD front counter: photo ID (a third-party requester needs the victim's ID or written authorization). |
| In person | Front counter in the lobby of Seattle Police Headquarters, 610 5th Avenue, Seattle (between James and Cherry St.). SPD lists no front-counter hours and says to call ahead because lobbies are open 'as staffing allows'. |
| By mail | SPD Public Request Unit, 610 5th Ave., PO Box 34986, Seattle, WA 98124 (or email SPDRequest@seattle.gov, fax (206) 684-1910). WSP mail option: Request for Copy of Collision Report form with $10.50 check or money order to WSP Collision Records Section, P.O. Box 42628, Olympia, WA 98504-2628. |
Washington State Patrol sells collision reports for the whole state through WRECR at https://wrecr.wsp.wa.gov/wrecr/order for $10.50 (https://wsp.wa.gov/driver/collision-records/).
Need a different police report (theft, incident)? Police reports other than collisions: Public Request Unit via the Police Public Records Request Center (GovQA) for involved parties; Public Disclosure Requests for more detailed records..
Fatal crashes in Seattle
190 people died in 183 crashes in Seattle from 2020 through 2024 (NHTSA FARS), more of them on I-5 than on any other road. In 2024, 43 were killed, 54% more than in 2020.
After you have the report
-
Get the crash report
-
Know your deadline
Washington gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit (Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080(2)). If a city, county or state vehicle was involved: Before suing a city, county or other local government for damages, you must present a claim to its designated agent and wait 60 calendar days; the limitation period is tolled during those 60 days. (The three-year limitation period still applies.)
-
Who pays
Washington is an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the injuries and damage.
-
If you were partly at fault
You can recover even if you were mostly at fault; your damages are reduced in proportion to your share of fault and you are never barred outright.
-
The other driver’s minimum coverage
The legal minimum liability coverage in Washington is $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 per crash and $10,000 for property (25/50/10).
Check your deadline and a rough claim range
A filing date and a rough value range for Washington. Both take under a minute.
Questions
How much is a crash report from the Seattle Police Department?
$10.50 per report through WSP (WRECR or by mail); SPD's own pages do not state a fee for its front-counter collision reports.
How long does it take to get a Seattle crash report?
SPD: reports take approximately 5-7 business days from the date of the incident to become available for release. WSP: officers have 2-4 weeks to complete and approve a report, typically much sooner.
Can I get my Seattle crash report online?
Yes, at wrecr.wsp.wa.gov. You need: WSP WRECR: name of the involved party(s) and the date of the collision. SPD front counter: photo ID (a third-party requester needs the victim's ID or written authorization).
Sources
- Seattle Police Department crash reports: www.seattle.gov/police/about-us/police-locations/police-hq/front-counter-service
SPD Front Counter Services: "Collision reports can be requested at any time. These reports are not redacted, and all information is releasable. Collision reports are not available online." "You can request a collision report from the Public Request Unit the following ways: Email SPDRequest@seattle.gov; Fax (206) 684-1910; Mail - SPD Public Request Unit, 610 5th Ave. PO Box 34986, Seattle WA 98124; In Person - at the front counter of Seattle Police Headquarters". "Reports take approximately 5-7 business days, from the date of the incident, to become available for release." "Washington State Pat…
- Request portal: wrecr.wsp.wa.gov/wrecr/order (Washington State Patrol WRECR); SPD says 'Collisio
- Other police reports: www.seattle.gov/police/information-and-data/public-disclosure-requests/records-r
Read October 2, 2026. Laws and fees change; the linked page is the authority.