Public Records Guide
All 50 States
Request Police Records
Use this guide to identify the correct agency, prepare a request, and understand the most common record types and response timelines.
Quick Path
How to File a Records Request
1
Identify the exact department, sheriff office, or court that created the record.
2
Choose the official online form, records desk, or written submission path.
3
Provide the incident date, case number, parties involved, and the exact record type if known.
4
Pay the applicable fee and monitor the response window set by the agency.
Typical Records
Common Record Types
| Record Type | Typical Cost | Common Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Incident Report | $5 – $20 | Records Division |
| Accident Report | $5 – $15 | Traffic or Records Unit |
| Arrest / Booking Data | $0 – $25 | County Sheriff / Jail |
| Background Check | $25 – $60 | State DOJ or authorized channel |
Active investigations, juvenile material, and sensitive personal information may be withheld or redacted.
FOIA note: “FOIA” is often used generically, but state and local
law enforcement requests are usually governed by state public records laws rather than the federal FOIA statute.
Find the Official Records Portal
Navigate to your state and county to find the public-facing records form, records desk contact, and related service links for the correct agency.