India police services and legal guide
How to File an FIR Online, Download an FIR Copy and Check Police Complaint Status in India
A First Information Report (FIR) is the police record of information about an alleged cognizable offence. Learn the legal rules for electronic reporting and find state and city guides for obtaining FIR copies, checking status and reporting stolen property.
FIR registration under Section 173 of the BNSS, 2023
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for new proceedings subject to its savings provisions, governs registration of information about cognizable offences. A cognizable offence is an offence for which police may arrest without a warrant in accordance with the applicable legal classification.
Section 173(1) permits information about a cognizable offence to be given orally or by electronic communication, irrespective of the territorial area where it occurred (commonly called a Zero FIR). Electronic information must be signed by the informant within three days to be taken on record. Section 173(2) requires a copy of the recorded information to be provided promptly and free of cost to the informant or victim.
Section 173(3) allows a preliminary enquiry in specified cases punishable with imprisonment of three years or more but less than seven years, subject to prior permission from an officer not below Deputy Superintendent of Police rank and a fourteen-day limit. Section 173(4) provides a route to the Superintendent of Police when a police station refuses to record information, followed by an application to a Magistrate if necessary.
Read the official BNSS reference document and the Ministry of Home Affairs clarification on e-FIR under BNSS.
How to file a police complaint or e-FIR online
- Open the Ministry of Home Affairs Digital Police portal and select your State or Union Territory citizen portal.
- Choose the appropriate service, such as crime complaint, e-FIR, lost property or police report, based on what is available.
- Enter the incident date, location, details of the offence, contact information and available evidence accurately.
- Submit the form and save the complaint number, receipt or acknowledgement. Complete any signature or verification required under Section 173.
- Use the police portal to check progress or request an FIR copy where that facility is provided.
For immediate danger, call 112 rather than waiting for an online submission. Cybercrime may also be reported through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
State and city guides to filing police complaints
These links lead to existing city and state guides. Online complaint, e-FIR, FIR download and tracking facilities differ by jurisdiction; confirm current availability on the official police portal.
State and city guides to FIR copies and status
These links lead to existing city and state guides. Online complaint, e-FIR, FIR download and tracking facilities differ by jurisdiction; confirm current availability on the official police portal.
Stolen vehicle tracing guides
These links lead to existing city and state guides. Online complaint, e-FIR, FIR download and tracking facilities differ by jurisdiction; confirm current availability on the official police portal.
Lost or stolen mobile phone guides
These links lead to existing city and state guides. Online complaint, e-FIR, FIR download and tracking facilities differ by jurisdiction; confirm current availability on the official police portal.
How to obtain an FIR copy and check FIR status
Under Section 173(2) BNSS, the informant or victim is entitled to a free copy of the recorded FIR information. For an online copy, use the relevant state police citizen portal, enter the FIR number, year, police station or other requested details, and follow the portal's authentication process. Public availability may be restricted for sensitive cases.
The Digital Police portal links to State and UT citizen services, including complaint status, FIR copies and stolen or recovered property records, where available.
Reporting a lost or stolen mobile phone
Report a stolen phone to the police and retain the complaint or FIR reference. The Government of India's Sanchar Saathi CEIR service supports blocking a lost or stolen handset's IMEI, checking the request status and unblocking a recovered phone. The process normally requires a police report, identity proof and a replacement SIM for OTP verification; the purchase invoice may also be provided.
IMEI blocking is different from FIR registration and does not itself guarantee recovery of the device.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register an FIR from another city?
Yes. Section 173(1) BNSS permits reporting information about a cognizable offence regardless of where it occurred. Electronic submission and verification procedures may differ by police department.
Is every online police complaint an FIR?
No. A complaint receipt or lost-property acknowledgement does not automatically mean an FIR has been registered. Check the assigned FIR number and police station record.
What if the police refuse to register my FIR?
Section 173(4) BNSS permits a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police, with recourse to a Magistrate if necessary. See the guide to refusal of FIR registration.
Are FIR copies available online in every case?
Not necessarily. State portals may limit access, particularly where privacy or the nature of the offence requires confidentiality.
Updated: 11 October 2026. This article provides general legal information; portal availability and case-specific procedures should be confirmed with the relevant police authority.