How to File a Police Report (Theft, Damage, or Lost Documents)
A police report is the key paper for US paperwork after something goes wrong. Insurers demand it. Passport and Social Security replacements want it. Immigration applications ask about it. Here is when to call. It also shows when to file online and how to get the copy everyone will ask you for.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- 30 min – 2 hours
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- usa.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Know which kind of report you need
If an emergency is happening now, call 911. If it already happened, use a different route. This covers theft, vandalism, a lost wallet, or past fraud. Call the police non-emergency line. Or use your city/county online reporting portal. If you lost a passport or Social Security card, file a police report. Also fill in the agency's own replacement forms. A police report makes replacing them faster. It also protects you from identity theft. Never call 911 for something that already happened and is not dangerous.
Click to mark as done
- Before You Go 20–40 min
Gather the facts before you call or click
Write a timeline. Note what happened, when, and where. Note who was involved. Note what is missing or damaged. Gather serial numbers, receipts, photos, and account statements. Reports with clear details get taken seriously. They also satisfy insurers. For document loss, list every card and ID that was in the wallet or bag.
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- Go 20–60 min
File the report — online if your city allows it
Most large departments have an online portal for non-emergency reports. You can report theft under a value limit there. You can also report vandalism, lost property, and fraud. Fill in every field correctly. False statements are a crime. To file in person, go to the right station. It is the station with jurisdiction where the incident occurred. It is not the one nearest you. For emergencies or crimes in progress, call 911 first. Then file the written report with the officers who respond.
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- Submit & Pay 5 min
Get the report number before you leave
Ask for the report or case number. Ask for the officer's name and badge. Also ask for the phone number or portal to order the official copy. The report may take 3–10 business days to appear in the system. If nothing is entered after two weeks, follow up with the records unit. Reports do get lost in the system.
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- Wait 3–10 days
Order the certified copy
The certified copy is what insurers, embassies, and agencies want. It typically costs $5–25 per copy. Order it from the records division of the department that took the report. Many take online requests. Order two or three copies. Passport replacement, insurance claims, and banks each want their own. Some never return them.
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- Follow Up 1–2 hours
Use the report to trigger replacements and protections
Send the report number to these places. Send it to your bank and card issuers for fraud flags. Send it to insurers for your claim. Send it to the State Department for a lost/stolen passport. Send it to the SSA for a replacement card, where required. Send it to credit bureaus for a free fraud alert or credit freeze. If the incident might touch your immigration file, keep a copy with your records. Some applications ask about police contact.
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- Receive 10 min
Add the report to your permanent file
Keep the certified copy for at least 7 years. Also keep a phone scan backed up to cloud storage. The copy is your proof of the incident. You may need it for future insurance questions. You may also need it for identity-theft disputes or official document replacements. You cannot re-order it from memory years later.
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Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Calling 911 for a past, non-dangerous incident. Never call 911 for something that already happened and is not dangerous. For theft, vandalism, a lost wallet, or past fraud, use the police non-emergency line or your city or county online reporting portal.
Filing with the wrong department. File with the department that has jurisdiction where the incident occurred. It is not the one nearest your home.
Leaving without the report number. Ask for the report or case number, the officer name and badge, and the phone number or portal to order the official copy before you leave. If nothing is entered after two weeks, follow up with the records unit.
Ordering only one copy. Order two or three certified copies. Passport replacement, insurance claims, and banks each want their own copy, and some never return them.
Not using the report for replacements and protections. Send the report number to your bank and card issuers for fraud flags, to insurers for your claim, to the State Department for a lost or stolen passport, to the SSASocial Security Administration — The agency that issues Social Security numbers/cards and pays retirement, disability (SSDI), and SSI benefits.Click for official info ↗ for a replacement card, and to credit bureaus for a free fraud alert or credit freeze.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I file a police report?
First, confirm which department has jurisdiction where the incident happened. For crimes in progress or emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, file online if your department offers it. Or call the non-emergency line / visit the station. Bring your ID and the facts. State what happened, when, where, and what was taken or damaged. Always get the report number before you leave. You will need it for insurance and document replacements.
Where do I file a police report?
File with the department that has jurisdiction where the incident occurred. This is not necessarily the station nearest your home. For non-emergencies, most large departments accept reports online. They also accept them through the non-emergency line. For crimes in progress or emergencies, call 911.
Can I file a police report online for free?
Yes. Filing a police report costs nothing, whether you file online, in person, or through the non-emergency line. A copy of the report later may carry a small fee, depending on the department.
What do I need to file a police report?
Bring your photo ID. Bring a list of what was stolen, damaged, or lost. Add serial numbers if you have them. Bring photos of damage or the scene. Know the approximate date, time, and location. Bring any evidence too, such as receipts or witness contact info.
Do I have to be a citizen or have legal status to file a police report?
No. Police accept reports from anyone. It does not matter what your immigration status is. Many departments prohibit officers from asking about it. You can still file if you cannot show ID. Give your name, date of birth, and contact information.
What if the police refuse to take my report?
Ask to speak with a supervisor. State the incident facts. If the report is for insurance or document replacement, say so. That is the purpose. Many departments take a "report for documentation only" even when they will not investigate. As a last resort, try the county sheriff. The sheriff has concurrent jurisdiction if city police decline.
How long does it take to get a copy of the report?
It usually takes 3–10 business days. This is the time to enter and approve it. Very large departments can take longer. You typically need the report number and a photo ID. Use them to pick it up or order it online.
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