How to Get Your San Antonio Police Accident Report (SAPD & CR-3 Guide)

In San Antonio, official police accident reports (Texas Form CR-3) cost $6 ($8 for a certified copy) and are ready 7 to 14 business days after the collision. Involved drivers can download an unredacted copy immediately through the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) CRIS portal or pick it up in person at San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) headquarters.

San Antonio Crash Report Quick Reference

Step 1: How to Download an Unredacted Copy

Online via TxDOT CRIS ($6): Go to cris.dot.state.tx.us, click Purchase Crash Reports*, and search by crash date and driver's license number or your SAPD Case Number (formatted like SAPD-2026-XXXXXXX). Under Texas Transportation Code § 550.065, select the radio button certifying you are an involved driver or vehicle owner—this unlocks the unredacted PDF with full names, addresses, and insurance policy numbers.

• In Person at SAPD Headquarters ($6): Visit the SAPD Records Office at 315 S. Santa Rosa Ave. (Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Phone: 210-207-7598). Bring a valid government photo ID and cash or money order.


• Bexar County & Highway Loops (I-10, I-35, Loop 410, Loop 1604): Crashes in unincorporated Bexar County (such as Alamo Ranch or far West/North Bexar County) are investigated by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO), while outer interstate stretches may be handled by Texas DPS. All of them upload directly to TxDOT CRIS.

Step 2: How to Read Your San Antonio CR-3 Report

When reviewing Page 2 of your Texas CR-3 report, focus on these three sections:

1. Box 36 (Investigator's Opinion of Contributing Factors): On the right side of Page 2, the SAPD officer assigns numeric fault codes to Unit 1 and Unit 2—such as Code 22 (Failed to Control Speed, common in Loop 410 and I-35 rear-ends), Code 15 (Changed Lane When Unsafe), Code 20 (Driver Inattention), or Code 35 (Failed to Yield Right of Way - Stop Sign).
2. Texas's 51% Modified Comparative Fault Rule (CPRC § 33.001): If Box 36 codes cause an insurance adjuster to assign you 51% or more of the blame, Texas law bars you from recovering any compensation.
3. Commercial Motor Vehicle Supplement: Given heavy 18-wheeler traffic along the I-35 and I-10 corridors in San Antonio, check Page 2 for the Carrier's USDOT Number and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR > 10,000 lbs), which triggers higher commercial insurance policy limits.

Step 3: What If SAPD Did Not Respond to a Minor Fender Bender?

Texas eliminated the civilian self-report form (old Form CR-2 / "Blue Form") in September 2017—TxDOT no longer accepts driver-filed crash forms. If SAPD did not dispatch an officer because there were no injuries and damage was minor, exchange photos of Texas driver's licenses, license plates, and insurance cards at the scene and submit your claim directly to the insurer.

Unfairly assigned a Contributing Factor code in Box 36 on your San Antonio CR-3? Get a free review from a Texas accident lawyer at submitaccident.report.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I get a redacted report with blacked-out names from a third-party website?
Many third-party aggregator websites pull the public redacted version of the CR-3 rather than the involved party version. Always order directly from cris.dot.state.tx.us or in person at 315 S. Santa Rosa Ave. and sign the statutory certification to get the unredacted report.

Can I change the SAPD officer's fault code in Box 36?
The SAPD Records Office can only fix clerical errors (like a misspelled name or wrong plate number). Changing Box 36 requires the investigating officer to file a CR-3 Supplement based on new physical evidence, such as dashcam video or witness affidavits.