Quick Reply: Most states publish FIR copies on their police or CCTNS-linked citizen portals — search with the FIR number, station, district and year, and download the public copy. Sensitive categories stay off the portal: sexual offences, juvenile matters and a few others. If the FIR is not visible or the station stalls a certified copy, walk in with the diary or acknowledgement, and take the RTI route when even that goes quiet.
Quick answer. The FIR copy exists in three forms: the portal's public copy, the station's free acknowledgement copy, and the certified copy. For court, insurance and formal use, it is the certified copy that counts; the portal copy proves content and existence.
This is a citizen help page, not an official government page. Use it to understand the route, documents and safety checks before using the official portal or police-station process.
None of these mean the FIR does not exist — they mean the copy comes from the station, not the portal.
Police are public authorities. Where a copy is wrongly withheld or an FIR copy application sits unanswered, RTI to the station's PIO works:
1. The status of FIR no. ___ of ___ dated ___ at ___ police station. 2. The status of my application dated ___ for a certified copy of the said FIR. 3. The reasons for the delay in supplying the copy. 4. The name and designation of the officer handling the request. 5. The date by which the certified copy will be issued.
Real example. An insurance claim needed an FIR copy that the portal showed only as registered. Dr. Shrawan Kumar Pathak filed the RTI above with the diary number; the certified copy was issued the following week, and the claim proceeded. The station had the file all along — it simply needed a form that carried a statutory clock.
The route does not change with the state: portal first, station counter second, RTI when both go quiet. Only the portal's address changes.
No — sensitive categories, including sexual offences and juvenile matters, stay off portals, and upload coverage varies by state. The station holds every FIR.
Insurers typically ask for the FIR copy and often the certified version. Take the portal copy to start the claim and the certified copy to close it.
Yes — an accused is entitled to the FIR; the courts have enforced supply of the FIR copy promptly, and the portal route or the station counter both serve it.
Note the date, time and officer, escalate to the Superintendent of Police in writing, and file the RTI above — a withheld complainant copy is a service failure with a paper trail.
Last reviewed: 26 August 2026.