Harris County of

I came to the Precinct 4 Courthouse to get a copy of an accident report (aka a «crash report») for an accident that I was involved in recently.
Working my way through the many people waiting for their scheduled court times, I walked past the dreaded tax assessor/collector’s office (my usual reason for visiting this location), I finally located the Records Division down a narrow hallway. Ring the little bell to let the ladies know I need a copy of a report.
A few things I’ve learned in the last several weeks:
1. If you are involved in an accident, call the police. Program the local dispatch phone number into your cell phone (since most wrecks occur 5 miles from home) or dial 911 (like I did) and ask for an officer to be dispatched to the scene.
2. Insist that a police report be filed. According to law, one only needs to be filed if damages exceed $ 1,000. Remember, the officer is not a mechanic or a body-​shop technician. Particularly if you own a newer model vehicle, nearly ALL repairs will exceed that amount. That police report will be very helpful when filing claims. The officer may be attempting to make a judgment call and save him/​herself some time, but you are the one that should know your vehicle, know what it’s worth and what it will probably cost to repair it.
3. The officer that is on scene will give you their card identifying themself, their division and the case number. Keep that in a safe place.
4. Wait. Wait. Despite the fact that we are in the digital/​electronic age, the county government does not operate as swiftly as we would like. The responding officer may submit accident reports the day of the incident, but then they apparently have to be «approved.» This delays your access to the report. You need to wait, I was told, a full 10 (yes, ten) days for it to be available. Sure enough, exactly 10 calendar days after the accident, my report was available.
5. You do not need to go to the courthouse to obtain a report. If you do, copies are $ 6; certified copies are $ 8.
6. You are encouraged to go online to retrieve your report:
Cost to retrieve the accident report online, however, does have a «convenience fee» attached: you’ll pay $ 14 for the online report. When it’s available online, it’s available at the courthouse. If you live close enough to the courthouse (as I do), save yourself the money, drive back and get the report.
7. Important facts will be stated on the police report that will assist you while processing your insurance claim, particularly if it’s against another company. Both drivers’ identification (licenses, vehicles and policy numbers) will be listed; a narrative about the accident itself complete with a drawn diagram is included; but most importantly, it will be noted on the report if the other driver has been charged with a citation in connection with the accident (including the citation number).
The ladies at the Records Division were nice and understanding when I initially went; however, I’m perplexed as to why filing, approving and entering a report takes so long. Frustrating. My second trip back was quick and easy: enter through the side (southern) door near the park to avoid the actual courthouse crowds, fill out a simple form to obtain the report, hand over your $ 6 and get your report. Done.

If you have ever had the pleasure of getting pulled over by your friendly neighborhood constable around the 1960/​Veterans Memorial vicinity then this building is your friend. Very easy to find if you are traveling Northbound on Veterans Memorial Drive, pass 1960 and a few miles down the road you will see Cypresswood Drive. Turn right and it is a block down on the right. Parking is a little tight.
The personnel are for the most part not as grumpy as you would find at your inner downtown Houston facilities. There was a district attorney here seeing people and explaining to them their options on what they can do with their tickets.
The windows remind you of a Walmart, eight windows and only two open for a line of about 100 feet so bring a book or make sure your phone has a lot of battery power to pass the time.

I was at the Harris County Courthouse for Precinct 4 to register my car at the tax assessor/collector’s office. I was lucky enough to get there when there wasn’t much of a line. It was the first registration for a vehicle coming from out of state. Even though I had reviewed the information required on their web site, I was told that I needed another piece of documentation. Luckily the woman helping me said to come to the side when I came back with the additional information and when she saw me she would take me next.
I went and got the missing info, taking only about 20 minutes, but when I came back the line was now out the door!
There were people in line that had actually brought their own chairs!!! Apparently knowing from past experience that the line could be hours. I went to the side as instructed, but the woman that had helped me was now involved in a large dealer transaction. The supervisor saw me and came out to see what I needed. She instructed me that because the agent that had helped me would be busy for an extended time with her current transaction, to move to the front of the line and the next available attendant would help me conclude the process. phew!
I’m sure some of the folks in line that didn’t know that I had already waited were not pleased. But, I was thankful. And the people at and near the front all were very understanding.
At my turn the next agent reviewed the docs and quickly got the registration done and me out of there!
I have a motorcycle and trailer to register next. I will definitely be there early before there is a long line!