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November 1, 2025 5:12 am
Hi everyone,
I was in a minor collision last week in Stockton on Highway 99 and the CHP officers were the ones who responded and took the report. The other driver left the scene and my insurance company says they need the official CHP report to process my claim. Has anyone gone through this? What’s the fastest way to request the report, what paperwork do I need, and can I get it online or do I have to visit a local CHP office? Any tips or things to watch out for would be a huge help.
As a car accident lawyer familiar with California traffic procedures, here’s what you need to know.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) handles reports for crashes that occur on state highways or where they are the responding agency, such as in your case on Highway 99 near Stockton. To obtain a copy of the collision report, you’ll need to submit a CHP 190 form (Request for Copy of Collision Report). You can get this form from the CHP website or at any CHP office.
You’ll need to include:
- The date, time, and location of the accident
- The names of the parties involved
- Your connection to the incident (driver, passenger, vehicle owner, insurance rep, etc.)
- A valid photo ID
- The fee (usually around $10)
For reports handled by your local CHP Office, mail or deliver the form directly there. Unfortunately, CHP does not provide these reports online for privacy reasons, so you’ll need to either mail in the request in or go in person. Processing usually takes a few weeks, depending on how busy they are and whether the report has been approved for release.
If your insurance company needs the report, they can also request it directly, but they’ll need the same form and details. If the case involves an ongoing investigation or criminal charges (for example, hit-and-run), there might be a short delay before it’s released.
November 3, 2025 11:38 pm
Do you know how long it usually takes before the report is ready? The officer who responded said it could take some time, but my insurance company is already asking for it. Is there any way to check the status without having to keep calling the CHP office?
In most cases, CHP accident reports take about 7 to 10 business days to become available, but it can take longer if the crash involved injuries, a hit-and-run investigation, or multiple vehicles. The report has to go through a review and approval process before it’s released.
Unfortunately, CHP doesn’t have an online system for checking the status. The most direct approach is to call the local area office (in your case, the Stockton CHP Office) and ask for the records or collision report desk. They can confirm whether the report has been completed and if it’s ready for release.
If you’ve already submitted the CHP 190 form, you can give them your name, the date and location of the crash, and the officer’s name or report number (if you have it). They can look it up and tell you the status.
If you haven’t yet submitted the request, it’s best to do that as soon as possible so you’re in the queue. Even if the report isn’t ready, the request will be held and processed automatically once it’s cleared for release.