How to Get a Crash Report in New Hampshire

When police respond to or investigate a crash, the officer sends a written report to the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The officer uses form DSMV 159, the State of New Hampshire Uniform Police Traffic Accident Report.¹

Once the DMV receives the police report, it becomes part of the driver's file. The DMV calls itself the central site for data from all law enforcement agencies, the courts and out-of-state motor vehicle registries.^1,4

A crash shows up on the driving record of each driver involved. The record does not say who was at fault. Crash involvement stays on the driver record for 5 years from the date of the crash.¹

For a fatal crash, the completed report is sent to the County Attorney's office. That office may not release it while litigation is pending. Questions about fatal crash data go to the DMV Fatal Crash Unit, NH Department of Safety, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305.³

If you want crash data about a specific location, the DMV refers you to the Department of Transportation.³

By drop box: Fill out the DSMV 505 and leave it in the drop box at the Concord DMV, 23 Hazen Drive. The DMV's accident reports page says to submit requests through this drop box only. The DMV's Appointments and Services page also lists only the drop box for accident reports, with no online or appointment option. Drop boxes are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:15 pm. Anything left after 4:15 pm counts as received the next business day.^1,5,6,7

By mail: The DMV's accident reports page says that if you mail in your request, you may include a $5.00 check. The DSMV 505 lists a mailing address: NH DMV, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord NH 03305. Write "DSMV 505" on the envelope. Include your phone number or email address so the DMV can contact you if the cost is more. The same DMV page also says requests go through the Concord drop box only.^1,2

In person: The DSMV 505 says anyone who submits it in person must bring photo ID that has not been expired for more than 3 years. DMV offices are now fully appointment based. The DMV's Appointments and Services page lists no appointment option for accident reports.^2,6

A completed Release of Motor Vehicle Records form (DSMV 505). The form asks for the date and the location of the crash. It also asks for information about you, the person filling it out.^2,3

Your signature. You sign the form under penalty of unsworn falsification (RSA 641:3), and it is subject to the penalties in RSA 260:14, IX.²

If you are requesting your own information, you do not need to complete the record-holder acknowledgment section.²

For a drop box request, include your first and last name and a phone number. An email address is optional.⁷

Payment. With a drop box request, include the $5 minimum, or a phone number where the DMV can reach you to take a credit card payment.⁷

For a fatal crash report, the DMV says to complete the same form, the DSMV 505.³

The DMV charges $1.00 per page for a crash report, with a $5.00 minimum. Its fee list puts this as $5.00 for up to 5 pages and $1.00 for each additional page.^1,2,8

With a drop box request, include the $5 minimum ($1 for each page over 5 pages). Or include a phone number where the DMV can reach you to take a credit card payment. If you leave no payment, you will need to pay by credit card when the DMV calls. Do not leave cash or credit card information in the drop box.⁷

Make checks payable to "State of NH – DMV."²

If the cost is more than $5, the DMV will let you know. To find out the cost ahead of time, you can email or call the DMV. The contact details are on the DMV's accident reports page.^1,2

A copy of an insurance card related to a crash costs $1.²

A police agency may take several weeks to send its crash report to the DMV.¹

The DMV processes drop box requests within 7 to 10 business days. It then mails the documents to you, unless otherwise noted.⁷

A fatal crash report may not be available for several months after the crash. Once it has been released, you should receive it within 30 working days.³

The DSMV 505 asks you to check one of three boxes that describe who you are. One box is for the record holder or vehicle owner.²

Someone who is not the record holder can use the form if the record holder approves the request and has their signature notarized in Step 4. The record holder signs the acknowledgment section only when authorizing someone else to get the record. The person making the request may not act as the notary or justice of the peace for the record holder's authorization.²

To release your own crash report to someone else, or to get another person's crash report, the DMV asks you to email or call it. The contact details are on the DMV's accident reports page.¹

The third box is for a bank or lienholder, tow company, NH-licensed private investigator, employer, insurance company, public utility, or law firm or lawyer requesting under RSA 260:14. Business requesters need a new Certificate of Authority (C.O.A.) each calendar year, because they all expire December 31. All requests that need a C.O.A. must be completed at the Concord DMV.²

The form quotes RSA 260:14, IX. It makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly give department record information to someone who is not authorized, or to knowingly make a false statement to get it. You sign that you have read RSA 260:14 and understand the limits on using information from the Department of Safety.²

In communities without their own police department, State Police troopers cover crashes. Whichever police agency responds, the officer sends the written report to the DMV.^1,9

The NH State Police list the DMV as the contact for information about accident reports.¹⁰

A crash that causes a death, a personal injury, or combined vehicle and property damage over $1,000.00 must be reported in writing to the DMV within 15 days.¹

If police responded, you do not have to file a report. If police did not respond, and someone was injured or combined damage was over $1,000.00, you must file an Operator's Report (DSMV 400). Each driver is responsible for filing one.^1,3

If someone else was driving your vehicle, the person who was driving must complete the report.³

Mail the DSMV 400 to NH Dept. of Safety, DMV - FR / Accidents, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord NH 03305. It will not be accepted without a description of the crash, a repair estimate and the driver's signature.^1,11

The DSMV 400 cites N.H. RSA 264:25 as the reporting requirement. Failing to report a crash with a death or injury is a felony. Failing to report a property-damage-only crash is a misdemeanor.¹¹

Because a police report may take several weeks to reach the DMV, a driver may file an Operator's Report to help with an insurance claim.¹

For each vehicle in a reportable crash, complete insurance information must be provided. If the driver or vehicle owner has no insurance coverage, that must be indicated instead. If police investigated but insurance information is unavailable, the drivers involved, the vehicle owner, or both are responsible for verifying it with the DMV. You can submit insurance information online. Or you can mail the Insurance Verification Form (DSMV 385) to NH DMV- FR Bureau, 23 Hazen Drive, Concord NH 03305.^1,12