Stalking Records: How to Request Police Reports and Court Records

Which Records You May Need

• Police reports and incident reports. The official record of what you reported.
• Report numbers and case numbers. The identifiers you use to follow up.
• 911 call recordings and dispatch logs. Records of your call and the response.
• Body-camera or dash-camera footage, where available.
• Court records. Petitions, orders, hearing notices, and judgments.
• Protective order copies and registry entries.
• Criminal case records, if charges are filed.
• Your own evidence and communications.

Start With Your Report Number

When you report, ask for a report number and the officer's name and badge number. That number is the key to every later request. Write it in your log, and keep a copy with your records. If you didn't get one, call the department and ask how to find it using the date and location of the incident.

How to Request a Police Report

Most departments have a records unit.

• Contact the records unit by phone, in person, or online.
• Provide the report number, date, location, and your name.
• Ask about fees and timing. Some departments charge small fees, and some provide copies free to victims.
• Ask about redactions. Some information may be hidden, such as other people's details.
• Request a copy of any supplemental reports or updates.

In many places, victims are entitled to a copy of their own report, though rules vary. If you meet resistance, ask the prosecutor's victim-witness unit for help.

911 Recordings and Dispatch Records

A 911 recording can be powerful evidence because it captures your voice and the facts as you described them right away. Retention periods vary, and recordings may be deleted after a set time, so request them early. Ask the department or the 911 center how to request the recording and the dispatch log, and whether a formal public records request is needed.

Court Records

Courts keep records of petitions, orders, and cases.

• Ask the clerk for certified copies of any protective order. Certified copies are usually needed to enforce an order or to show it to others.
• Check online dockets, where available, to follow your case.
• Ask about confidential or sealed records, which may apply in some cases.
• Keep copies of every document you file and receive.

See protection against stalking.

Protective Order Registries

Many states maintain registries so police can verify an order. Ask the court clerk or victim services how your order is entered, and whether you can get confirmation. Give copies to your employer, school, and building management as appropriate.

Public Records Requests and FOIA

If a record isn't provided through a regular process, you can submit a public records request. Every state has its own law, and federal agencies are covered by the Freedom of Information Act, explained at FOIA.gov.

• Be specific about what you want: type of record, date range, and identifiers.
• Ask for electronic copies.
• Expect redactions and exemptions, especially for open investigations.
• Be aware that requests can take time and may carry fees.

A Sample Records Request

I am requesting a copy of the incident report, any supplemental reports, and any 911 audio and dispatch records related to report number [number], dated [date], at [location]. I am the reporting party. Please let me know any fees and the expected timeline.

Adapt it to your situation, and save a copy of what you send.

Protecting Your Privacy When You Request Records

• Use a safe address and phone number for correspondence.
• Ask whether your address can be withheld from records that may be shared.
• Consider an address confidentiality program if the stalker could find you through records. See your state's guide in the State Reporting Guide.
• Be careful with online portals if the stalker could access your accounts.

If Your Request Is Denied or Delayed

Ask for the reason in writing, ask whether part of the record can be released, and ask about appeal options. Contact the prosecutor's victim-witness unit or a victim advocate. The Office for Victims of Crime directory lists programs by state. Keep records of your requests and responses.

Using Your Records

Records support your story. Use them to:

• Strengthen a protective order request. See the TRO Builder.
• Show employers, schools, and landlords that you reported.
• Track the status of your case.
• Prepare for hearings and interviews.

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, and a documented record shows you took it seriously.

A Timeline for Requesting Records

Some records disappear faster than others, so request them in a sensible order.

• Right away: your report number, the officer's name, and the date and time of your report.
• Within days: any 911 recording and dispatch log, since retention periods can be short.
• Within a week or two: a copy of the incident report, once it has been processed.
• As the case develops: supplemental reports, updates, and any charging documents.
• When you get an order: certified copies of the order, and confirmation that it is entered in the registry.
• Ongoing: copies of anything you file with the court, and anything you receive.

Put dates for each request in your stalking log so you can follow up.

What to Share With Employers, Landlords, and Schools

You don't have to hand over your entire file. Share what the other party needs.

• A copy of a protective order, so they know the restrictions and can enforce them.
• The name and photograph of the person, if you feel comfortable, so staff can recognize them.
• A brief statement of what you need, such as not confirming your schedule or restricting visitors.
• A contact person at the organization who can handle your concerns.

Keep the full police report private unless you choose to share it. Read evidence that holds up in court and the scenarios in our Protection Guide.

Digital Records: Messages, Account Data, and Downloads

Some of your best records are digital, and you may be able to get more of them.

• Download your data from platforms that allow it, including message history and account activity, and save the files with the date.
• Export message threads with dates and sender details visible.
• Save voicemails as audio files.
• Keep carrier records such as call logs and billing statements that show numbers and times.
• Store originals in a safe place and keep a log that points to them.

If the stalker may have access to your accounts, make copies from a safe device. Read stalkerware for signs of monitoring.

Common Problems and Fixes

• I lost my report number. Call the department with the date, time, and place of the incident, and ask the records unit to look it up.
• The report is missing details. Ask whether you can submit a supplemental statement.
• A report was never written. Ask for the officer's supervisor, and file again in writing. See how to report a stalker to the police.
• The fee is too high. Ask about a fee waiver for victims.
• The records are heavily redacted. Ask what categories were removed and why, and whether the prosecutor can share more.
• The stalker could see the mail. Use an address the stalker doesn't know, or pick up records in person.

A report is only as useful as your ability to retrieve it. Collect your records early and store them safely.

Sources and further reading

• FOIA.gov - Freedom of Information Act
• Help in Your State (Office for Victims of Crime)
• Stalking (Office of Justice Programs)