SR-19C Form (Financial Responsibility Information Request)

The SR-19C is the California DMV’s Financial Responsibility Information Request. It lets eligible requesters obtain the other party’s insurance information, request an Uninsured Motorist Certification, or get a photocopy of the SR-1 accident report from DMV records.

The fee is $20 per document, and typical processing is about 30 days.

Quick outcome: If you are a driver, an injured person, an owner of damaged property, or their authorized representative, you likely qualify as having a proper interest and can use SR-19C to get what you need for an insurance claim.

What SR-19C Is and When to Use It

Use SR-19C to request one of three items from the DMV’s Financial Responsibility files:

1. Insurance information from DMV’s file
2. Uninsured Motorist Certification
3. Photocopy of the SR-1 accident report submitted to DMV

SR-19C applies to accidents that fall under California’s financial responsibility reporting rules and are on file with DMV. The official form explains the three request types, the $20 fee, and the 30-day processing timeframe.

Who Qualifies as a “Proper Interest” under CVC §16005

California Vehicle Code section 16005 authorizes DMV to disclose specified accident information to people with a proper interest, including drivers involved, their authorized representatives, injured persons, owners of damaged property, law enforcement, and courts.

What You Can Request with SR-19C

• Insurance information from file. Use this when you need the other party’s insurer and policy details associated with the SR-1 on file.
• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Certification. Use this to support a UM claim when the at-fault party lacked insurance at the time of the crash.
• Photocopy of SR-1. Use this to obtain the other party’s SR-1 if it was filed for a reportable accident.

How to Complete and Submit SR-19C

Step 1. Download SR-19C and gather identifiers. You will need names, dates of birth, driver license numbers, plate or VIN, accident date, and city.

Step 2. Choose exactly one request type. In Section 1 select Insurance Information, UM Certification, or Photocopy of SR-1. Use a separate form if you need more than one document for the same accident and include a fee for each.

Step 3. Establish your proper interest. In Section 2 check the role that applies or briefly explain your interest. A perjury statement is required.

Step 4. Add accident and subject details. Complete Sections 3 and 4 with enough detail for DMV to locate the correct file. One subject per request.

Step 5. Include the fee and submit by mail. Enclose $20 per document or provide your vendor requester billing info, then mail to:
DMV, Financial Responsibility Unit, MS J237, PO Box 942884, Sacramento, CA 94284-0884. Allow about 30 days for processing. For questions, the form lists (916) 657-6677. You can also see this address and fee on the DMV’s records request page.

SR-19C vs. SR-1 and the Reportable Threshold

• SR-1 requirement. Each driver must file an SR-1 with DMV dentro de 10 días if anyone was injured or if total property damage exceeded $1,000, even on private property. This is in addition to any police report.
• Why this matters for SR-19C. DMV does not establish a Financial Responsibility file without an SR-1, and the SR-19C instructions state that law enforcement reports are not accepted as a substitute.

Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them

• No SR-1 on file. File or attach the SR-1 if it was never submitted, since DMV will not create an FR file without it.
• Accident not reportable. If the SR-1 indicates no injury and damage under $1,000, DMV will not treat it as a reportable accident.
• Insufficient identifiers. Missing names, dates of birth, DL numbers, or plate numbers can prevent DMV from locating the file. Provide as much as possible.
• SR-1 filed over one year late. DMV may not process FR requests tied to very late SR-1 filings.
• FR file purged after 48 months. Older files may no longer be available.
• Assuming DMV holds all insurance data. DMV solicits insurance information only after receiving a reportable SR-1. If no SR-1 is on file, insurance may not have been collected.

Practical Scenarios

• Hit-and-run or uncooperative driver. Use SR-19C to see if an SR-1 was filed and to obtain insurer information when the other driver refused to share details.
• Uninsured Motorist claim. Request a UM Certification via SR-19C to document lack of insurance for your UM coverage file.
• Attorney or adjuster workflow. If you have a commercial requester account, you can bill via ABIS using the Vendor Requester Code fields in Section 2.

Cost, Timing, and Tracking

• Fee: $20 per document
  
• Processing time: About 30 days
  
• Billing: Commercial requesters can use ABIS via Vendor Requester Code fields
  All three points appear on the SR-19C form and instructions.

SR-19C Pre-Submission Checklist

Use this mini-checklist before you mail:

• I selected one request type in Section 1.
• I completed Section 2 and clearly stated my proper interest.
• I included full identifiers in Sections 3 and 4 for both my client and the subject of inquiry.
• I signed the perjury statement in Section 5.
• I enclosed a $20 check or money order per document, payable to DMV, or I provided my Vendor Requester Code details.
• If needed, I attached a completed SR-1 so DMV can establish the FR file.
• I addressed the envelope to DMV, Financial Responsibility Unit, MS J237, PO Box 942884, Sacramento, CA 94284-0884.

Rejection-Proof Cover Letter Template

Copy, fill, and include with your SR-19C packet.

Subject: SR-19C Financial Responsibility Information Request
Accident Date and City: [MM/DD/YYYY] — [City]
Your Client or Insured: [Full Name, DL number, DOB, Address]
Subject of Inquiry: [Full Name, DL number, DOB, Plate or VIN, Driver or Owner of Other Vehicle]
Request Type: [Insurance Information from File] or [Uninsured Motorist Certification] or [Photocopy of SR-1]
Proper Interest: I am the [driver or owner of damaged property or injured party or attorney for the involved party]. I request disclosure consistent with CVC §16005.
Enclosures: Completed SR-19C form, $20 payment per document, [SR-1 form if needed]
Return Address and Phone: [Your address and phone]

Mail To:
DMV, Financial Responsibility Unit, MS J237
PO Box 942884
Sacramento, CA 94284-0884

Preguntas frecuentes

Do I need an SR-1 on file for DMV to process my SR-19C?
Yes. DMV uses the SR-1 to create the Financial Responsibility file. The SR-19C notes that law enforcement reports are not acceptable substitutes.

When must the SR-1 be filed and what is considered reportable?
File within 10 days if anyone was injured or if property damage was over $1,000. This applies even if injuries are minor.

Who is a proper interest under the law?
Drivers involved, their authorized representatives, injured persons, owners of damaged property, law enforcement, and courts.

How much does SR-19C cost and how long does it take?
The fee is $20 per document and DMV asks you to allow about 30 days for processing.

Next Step

If you need help preparing SR-19C and SR-1 together, compile the identifiers listed in the checklist, choose the correct request type, and send the packet to the Financial Responsibility Unit. For complex injury claims or UM certifications, consider having an attorney review your submission and follow up with DMV using the phone number shown on the form.

Disclaimer

This resource explains California DMV procedures and cites public sources. It is for general information and is not legal advice. If you need legal advice about your specific accident, consult a California attorney.