How to File an FIR in India — Step-by-Step Guide

To file a First Information Report (FIR) in India, go to the nearest police station and give oral or written information about a cognizable offence to the officer-in-charge. Under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the police are legally obligated to register the FIR, and you are entitled to a free copy immediately. The process is completely free, takes no more than an hour, and can now be initiated at any police station in India through the Zero FIR mechanism.

Who can file an FIR

• Any person who has knowledge of the commission of a cognizable offence — you do not need to be the victim yourself
• The victim of the offence
• An eyewitness to the offence
• A person who received information about the offence from a reliable source
• A family member, friend, or acquaintance of the victim
• A police officer who receives information about a cognizable offence
• Any person — there is no age, gender, nationality, or residency restriction. Even a minor or a foreigner can file an FIR.

Important: An FIR can only be registered for a cognizable offence — an offence in which the police have the authority to arrest without a warrant and investigate without permission from a Magistrate. Examples include theft, robbery, murder, kidnapping, assault causing grievous hurt, sexual offences, cheating, criminal breach of trust, and house-breaking. For non-cognizable offences (defamation, simple assault, cheating below certain thresholds), the police will register a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) under Section 174 BNSS instead.

Documents you will need

Mandatory documents

• Information about the offence — The core facts: what happened, when (date and approximate time), where (exact location), who was involved (names or descriptions of accused persons, if known), and how the offence was committed. This can be given orally — no written document is strictly required.
• Identity proof of the informant — Aadhaar card, voter ID, PAN card, passport, or driving licence. While not legally mandatory for FIR registration, police stations routinely ask for it.

Additional documents (if available)

• Written complaint — A pre-prepared written account of the offence. Useful if the incident is detailed or involves multiple events. Handing over a written complaint ensures accuracy in the FIR.
• Evidence — Photographs, CCTV footage, screenshots (for cyber offences), medical reports (for assault or injury), or any physical evidence
• Witness details — Names, addresses, and phone numbers of any witnesses to the offence

Step-by-step process

Step 1: Determine whether the offence is cognizable

Before going to the police station, assess whether the offence you want to report is a cognizable offence. In general: any offence punishable with imprisonment of 3 years or more is cognizable. All offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 are classified as either cognizable or non-cognizable in the First Schedule to the BNSS. Common cognizable offences include murder, robbery, theft, house-breaking, kidnapping, sexual assault, cheating (above certain thresholds), criminal intimidation with a deadly weapon, and offences under special statutes such as the NDPS Act, POCSO Act, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and Dowry Prohibition Act.

Where: No specific location — this is an assessment step Form: Not applicable

Tip: If you are unsure whether your matter is cognizable, go to the police station anyway. The police officer is obligated to guide you. If the offence turns out to be non-cognizable, the officer will register an NCR under Section 174 and direct you to approach the Magistrate for permission to investigate.

Step 2: Go to the nearest police station — Zero FIR applies everywhere

Proceed to the nearest police station. You are not required to go to the police station in whose jurisdiction the offence occurred. Under the Zero FIR provision in Section 173 BNSS, any police station in India is obligated to register the FIR and then transfer it to the police station having jurisdiction.

Where: The nearest police station. Find the nearest one on the state police website or Google Maps. Form: No form required — walk in and approach the duty officer or station house officer (SHO) Fee: Nil

Tip: If the offence involves a woman and is of a sexual nature (offences under Sections 64-71, 74-79, or 124 of BNS), request that a woman police officer record your statement. Under Section 173(3) BNSS, a woman officer must record the information if the offence falls under these provisions.

Step 3: Give your information to the officer — Oral or written

Inform the officer-in-charge about the offence. You can do this orally (the officer will write it down for you) or by handing over a pre-written complaint. If you give information orally, the officer must reduce it to writing, read it back to you, and obtain your signature. The information must cover the basic facts: what happened, when, where, and who (if known).

Where: At the police station — at the SHO's desk or the complaint registration counter Form: No prescribed form. Oral information is sufficient. Fee: Nil

Tip: Narrate the facts clearly and chronologically. Do not exaggerate or include speculation. Stick to what you personally saw, heard, or experienced. If you are giving information based on what someone told you, say so explicitly — this is important for the evidentiary value of the FIR.

Step 4: Ensure the FIR is registered — Your legal right

The officer-in-charge is legally obligated to register the FIR if the information discloses a cognizable offence. The Supreme Court held in Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh (2014) 2 SCC 1 that registration of an FIR is mandatory under the erstwhile Section 154 of CrPC (now Section 173 BNSS) whenever information discloses a cognizable offence, and no preliminary inquiry is permissible at that stage (except in certain categories of cases specified by the Court). This landmark ruling is now codified in the BNSS framework.

Where: At the police station Form: The FIR is recorded in the station's FIR register (a bound register or digital system)

Tip: Watch the officer enter the information in the FIR register. The FIR will be assigned a number (e.g., FIR No. 123/2026). Note this number — you will need it for all future references, court proceedings, and when applying for bail or compensation.

Step 5: Obtain your free copy of the FIR

Under Section 173 BNSS, the police must give you a copy of the FIR free of cost. Do not leave the police station without obtaining your copy. The copy should bear the FIR number, the date and time of registration, the sections of law under which the offence is registered, and the name of the police station.

Where: At the police station — the officer will provide it Form: Printed copy or, in digitised police stations, an electronic copy Fee: Nil — it is your legal right to receive the copy free of charge

Tip: Read the FIR copy carefully before leaving. Ensure that all the facts you stated are accurately recorded. If anything is incorrect or missing, request a correction immediately. Errors in the FIR can cause complications during trial.

Step 6: (Optional) File an e-FIR for specific offence categories

Many states now allow electronic FIR (e-FIR) filing for specific categories of offences, typically vehicle theft, mobile phone theft, and loss of documents. Under Section 173 BNSS, information can also be sent through "electronic communication." For offences involving violence against a person, physical FIR filing at the police station remains advisable.

Where: State police portals (see state-specific differences section below) or the national Digital Police portal at https://digitalpolice.gov.in Form: Online form on the state police e-FIR portal Fee: Nil

Tip: For e-FIRs, you must visit the police station within 3 days to sign the written information, as required under Section 173 BNSS. The e-FIR initiates the process, but your physical signature is required to complete it.

Step 7: Follow up on the investigation

After the FIR is registered, the police will begin investigation. You have the right to know the progress of the investigation. If you do not hear from the investigating officer within a reasonable time (2-4 weeks), visit the police station and request an update. If the police file a closure report (finding no evidence), you have the right to file a protest petition before the Magistrate under Section 193 BNSS.

Where: At the police station or before the Magistrate (if filing a protest petition) Form: No form for follow-up; protest petition is filed in writing before the Magistrate

Tip: If the police are not investigating properly, you can file a complaint before the Superintendent of Police (SP) or approach the Magistrate under Section 175 BNSS to direct the police to investigate.

Fees and costs

Filing an FIR is a fundamental right and is completely free. No police station can charge any fee for registering an FIR or providing you a copy.

How long does it take

Can you do this online?

Partially. Several states allow e-FIR filing for specific categories of offences (primarily theft and loss of documents). The national Digital Police portal at https://digitalpolice.gov.in provides a unified gateway that redirects to state-specific police portals.

Step-by-step e-FIR process (general):

1. Visit your state police portal or https://digitalpolice.gov.in
2. Select "File e-FIR" or "Online Complaint"
3. Register with your mobile number and verify through OTP
4. Select the type of offence (vehicle theft, mobile theft, lost documents, etc.)
5. Enter the details — date, time, location, description of the offence, and details of stolen or lost property
6. Upload any supporting documents or photographs
7. Submit the complaint — you will receive a reference number
8. Visit the police station within 3 days to sign the written information and complete the FIR registration

Important limitation: e-FIR is currently available only for select categories of offences. For offences involving violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, or any offence against a person, you must file in person at the police station.

What if things go wrong

Problem: The police refuse to register your FIR

Solution: This is the most common problem. You have several legal remedies:

1. Send written complaint by post to the Superintendent of Police (SP) or Commissioner of Police. Under Section 173(4) BNSS, if the officer-in-charge refuses, you can send the substance of the information in writing by post to the SP, who must either investigate or direct a subordinate to investigate.
2. Approach the Magistrate under Section 175 BNSS. File a written complaint before the Judicial Magistrate having jurisdiction. The Magistrate can direct the police to register the FIR and investigate.
3. File a complaint on the state police grievance portal or the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) portal at https://nhrc.nic.in.

Problem: The FIR has factual errors

Solution: You can request the investigating officer to record a supplementary statement correcting the errors. If the officer refuses, file an application before the Magistrate to direct the correction. Alternatively, your corrected version can be presented during trial as part of your examination.

Problem: The police register an NCR instead of an FIR

Solution: If you believe the offence is cognizable but the police registered only a Non-Cognizable Report, send a written representation to the SP. If the SP does not act, approach the Magistrate under Section 175 BNSS. The Magistrate can direct the police to convert the NCR into an FIR if the information prima facie discloses a cognizable offence.

Problem: The police are pressuring you to compromise or withdraw the FIR

Solution: Once an FIR is registered, it cannot be "withdrawn" — only a court can close the case. If the police are pressuring you, file a written complaint to the SP, the state Human Rights Commission, or the Magistrate. Do not sign any "compromise" document under pressure.

Problem: You are filing an FIR in a state where you do not speak the local language

Solution: The FIR can be recorded in any language. Most police stations in metropolitan areas can record FIRs in Hindi and English. Request the FIR to be recorded in a language you understand. You have the right to have the FIR read back to you before you sign it. If there is a language barrier, take a trusted person along to translate.

State-specific differences

National portal: https://digitalpolice.gov.in — provides links to all state police portals and the national cybercrime reporting portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) for cyber offences.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Zero FIR and how is it different from a regular FIR?

A Zero FIR is an FIR registered at a police station that does not have territorial jurisdiction over the place where the offence occurred. It is given the serial number "0" instead of a regular FIR number. After registration, the Zero FIR is transferred to the police station having jurisdiction, which assigns a regular FIR number and takes over the investigation. The Zero FIR ensures that there is no delay in registration due to jurisdictional issues — you can walk into any police station anywhere in India.

Can I file an FIR over the phone or email?

Under Section 173 BNSS, information about a cognizable offence can be given through "electronic communication." This means you can technically initiate the process via email or phone. However, you must visit the police station within 3 days to sign the written information. For urgent situations (violence, assault, kidnapping in progress), call the police emergency number 112, which will dispatch assistance and initiate FIR registration.

What is the difference between an FIR and a police complaint?

An FIR is the first formal record of a cognizable offence, registered under Section 173 BNSS, which triggers a mandatory police investigation. A police complaint (or general diary entry) is a broader term covering all communication to the police, including non-cognizable matters. An FIR has specific legal consequences — it starts the criminal process, creates a record admissible in court, and obligates the police to investigate.

Can the police refuse to register an FIR?

No. The Supreme Court held in Lalita Kumari v. Government of UP (2014) 2 SCC 1 that if the information discloses a cognizable offence, the police must register an FIR. Refusal to register an FIR is itself a punishable offence. If police refuse, send a written complaint to the SP (Section 173(4) BNSS) or approach the Magistrate (Section 175 BNSS).

Can I file an FIR after a long delay?

Yes. There is no time limit for filing an FIR. However, a delay in filing may affect the credibility of the complaint during trial. Courts often scrutinise delayed FIRs and may ask for an explanation. File as soon as possible after the offence to preserve evidentiary value.

What happens after the FIR is registered?

The police will begin investigation — recording statements of witnesses, collecting evidence, visiting the crime scene, and potentially arresting the accused. The investigating officer must complete the investigation and file a chargesheet (charge report under Section 193 BNSS) within 60 days if the accused is in custody (90 days for offences punishable with 10+ years). If no chargesheet is filed within this period, the accused becomes entitled to default bail.

This guide is part of Veritect's Legal Procedure Guides, a step-by-step reference for common Indian legal processes. Last updated: 2026-03-27. This content is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.