After you get into an accident, a copy of your police report can be important evidence for filing an insurance claim for your injuries or damages.

In the City of Vista, law enforcement is provided by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is under contract with the City to staff the Vista Sheriff’s Station, often referred to as the Vista Police Department.

If you have been in a car accident in Vista, and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department filled out a collision report, then you can request a copy of your accident report by asking the station who responded to the accident, in person or by mail.

Request your Accident Report from the Responding Station

You can request a copy of your accident report from the station that responded to your incident or wrote the report. Ask the officer who responds to your accident for more details on how to get a copy of your collision report.

Request your Collision Report in Person

To request a copy of your Vista accident report in person, you must print and fill out the Service Request Form, available in English or in Spanish. Bring the completed form with you to:

San Diego County Sheriff’s Records & ID Division
9621 Ridgehaven Ct
San Diego, CA 92193
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The office’s business hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

Please also bring with you a valid, government issued form of photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. You must also bring a money order, certified check or cash to pay the $20 fee.

Request your Traffic Incident Report by Mail

In order to request a copy of your collision report by mail, send your completed Service Request Form in English or in Spanish to:

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
ATTN:  Records & ID Division, Cases Section
P.O. Box 939063
San Diego, CA 92193

Additionally, you must send a copy of your valid, photo ID and a money order or certified check to pay for the fees.

Fees

There is a $20 fee to get an accident report. However, victims of an accident involving drugs or alcohol may be entitled to 1 free copy. You can pay the fee by money order or certified check. You may also use a personal check if the issuing bank is a California bank.

You can only use cash if you are requesting a copy in person.

Please make checks payable to “San Diego County Sheriff”.

Processing Time

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Records & ID Division will try to process your request within 3-10 business days.

If you have any questions, you can call the Records and Identification Division at (858) 974-2110 or visit their website for more information.