How to Get Your Texas Crash Report (CR-3)

To get your Texas crash report (Form CR-3), buy a copy from the Texas Department of Transportation through the Crash Records Information System (CRIS) at cris.dot.state.tx.us. Anyone can purchase a certified or regular copy for a small fee. This is general information, not legal advice.

What the CR-3 is and why it matters

When an officer shows up to a crash in Texas, they usually fill out a Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, officially Form CR-3. It captures the basics: the date, time, and location; the drivers and vehicles involved; insurance information; a diagram of how the crash happened; and the officer’s notes and any contributing factors.

This is one of the most useful documents you can have after a wreck. Insurers lean on it when they size up your claim, and it nails down the basic facts of what happened. Get a copy early. It gives you an official record to work from and to check for mistakes.

How to buy your report through CRIS

TxDOT hands crash reports to the public through its online Crash Records Information System. Here’s how it goes:

Go to the CRIS public portal at cris.dot.state.tx.us.
Search for your crash using details like your name, the crash date, and the location or report number.
Pick the matching report and choose the type of copy you need.
Pay the fee and download or receive your copy.

Reports show up after the responding agency sends them to TxDOT, which can take a while after the crash. If yours isn’t there yet, it’s probably just not in the system, so check back.

Certified vs. regular copies

CRIS offers more than one version. A regular copy gives you the information on the CR-3 and is usually all you need to deal with an insurer. A certified copy adds an official certification, which matters when you need a formally authenticated document, such as in certain legal or administrative situations.

Both carry a small fee. Not sure which one you need? A regular copy usually does the job for everyday claims, while a certified copy is worth getting when an authenticated record is specifically required. We can’t quote an exact fee here, so check the CRIS portal for current pricing.

Tips for getting and using your report

Have your details ready. Your name, the crash date, and the location or report number make the search go faster.
Check it for accuracy. Go over the names, insurance details, the diagram, and the narrative. If something looks wrong, contact the responding law enforcement agency about a correction, since TxDOT holds the report but the originating agency handles what’s in it.
Keep it with your records. Store the CR-3 with your photos, medical bills, and repair estimates so your claim file stays in one place.
Don’t wait around. Texas gives most injury claims a two-year window, but pulling your documentation sooner keeps your options open and your memory fresh.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I actually get the CR-3?

From TxDOT’s Crash Records Information System (CRIS) at cris.dot.state.tx.us. Anyone can buy a certified or regular copy there for a small fee. This is general information, not legal advice.

How soon after the crash is the report available?

Once the responding agency submits it to TxDOT, which can take a few days or longer. If it’s not there yet, check back later instead of assuming no report exists.

Do I need a certified copy or a regular one?

A regular copy is usually enough for dealing with insurers. A certified copy comes with an official certification you may need for certain legal or administrative purposes. Both carry a small fee through CRIS.