How To File A Complaint With The U.S. Office Of Civil Rights

Complainants wishing to file a complaint may do so by:

Mail or Facsimile: Complainants may mail or send by facsimile a letter or use the OCR's Discrimination Complaint Form available from one of OCR's enforcement offices (see the list of OCR's offices in this brochure). In your correspondence, please include:

  • The complainant's name, address and, if possible (although not required), a telephone number where the complainant may be reached during business hours;
  • Information about the person(s) or class of persons injured by the alleged discriminatory act(s) (names of the injured person(s) are not required);
  • The name and location of the institution that committed the alleged discriminatory act(s); and
  • A description of the alleged discriminatory act(s) in sufficient detail to enable OCR to understand what occurred, when it occurred, and the basis for the alleged discrimination (race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act).

U.S. Department of Education
Arne Duncan
Secretary
September 2010

Where to Write

See Addresses
Also see OCR "Contact Us" page