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Austin crash report: how to get your CR-3 fast

Three ways to get an Austin crash report: LexisNexis online (about $9), TxDOT CRIS ($6 regular, $8 certified), or APD Report Sales in person at $0.10 per page.

Short answer

If Austin Police worked your crash, the officer filed a Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3) and your insurer, lawyer, or body shop will want it. You have three routes. Fastest for most people: buy it online through LexisNexis Police Reports, the city's official vendor, for about $9 - search by crash date, street names, and a driver's name. Cheapest online: TxDOT's Crash Report Online Purchase System (CRIS), which sells the same CR-3 for $6 regular or $8 certified (the certified copy is what courts and some insurers want). Cheapest overall: APD's Report Sales Unit at 715 E 8th Street, (512) 974-5499, where the public portion costs $0.10 per page. Reports are not instant: expect a lag of several days after the crash before the report clears review and shows up in any system. If your crash was on a state highway or worked by DPS or a sheriff's office, go straight to TxDOT CRIS - APD's portal only covers APD jurisdiction.

Who this is for

Austin drivers, passengers, cyclists, and property owners who need the official report after a crash.

The steps, in order

  1. Wait a few days after the crash: reports clear review before they appear in any system.
  2. Try LexisNexis Police Reports first (about $9): search by crash date, street names, and a driver name.
  3. Or use TxDOT CRIS: $6 for a regular copy, $8 for a certified copy, delivered by email.
  4. In person: APD Report Sales Unit, 715 E 8th Street, (512) 974-5499 - $0.10 per page for the public portion.
  5. Check jurisdiction: if DPS or a sheriff worked the crash, APD's portal will not have it - use CRIS.
  6. Give your insurer the report number; they can often pull it themselves.

Have this ready

  • Crash date and approximate time
  • Street names or nearest intersection
  • A driver or vehicle name on the report
  • A card for the online fee
  • The report number if the officer gave you one at the scene

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Searching the next day. Reports take several days to clear review and appear online.
  • Assuming APD has every crash. Crashes on state highways or worked by DPS or the sheriff live in TxDOT's system instead.
  • Buying a regular copy when you need certified. Legal proceedings usually want the $8 certified CR-3.
  • Paying a third-party site a markup. Use LexisNexis Police Reports, TxDOT CRIS, or APD directly.
  • Mailing your insurer photos of the scene instead of the report number. The number moves the claim.

Common questions

How much does an Austin crash report cost?

About $9 through LexisNexis Police Reports online, $6 regular or $8 certified through TxDOT CRIS, or $0.10 per page in person at APD Report Sales.

How long until my report is available?

Not instant. Expect a lag of several days after the crash while the report clears review.

What is the difference between regular and certified?

A certified CR-3 ($8 via CRIS) is the official document for legal proceedings; a regular copy ($6) is fine for most insurance claims.

My crash was on I-35. Does APD have the report?

Not if DPS or a sheriff's office worked it. Crashes outside APD jurisdiction are in TxDOT's CRIS system instead.

Can I get someone else's crash report?

Crash reports have restricted and public portions. In person at APD Report Sales, only the public portion is sold at $0.10 per page.

Official sources

Checked August 26, 2026. Recheck the official page monthly and when the official page changes.

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ATX Untangled is independent and does not determine eligibility or provide legal advice.