How to File a Civil Rights Complaint | HHS.gov

How to File a Civil Rights Complaint | HHS.gov Skip to main content An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know Here’s how you know Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Join HHS in Celebrating Freedom 250 About HHS About HHS HHS is a U.S. executive department that touches the lives of nearly all Americans by protecting your rights, research, food safety, health care, aging, and much more. 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Explore Radical Transparency CDC’s ACIP Conflicts of Interest Ending Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Ending Wasteful Spending Keeping Food Ingredients Safe Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool Show search form HHS Search (civil-rights) Search Civil Rights Information for Individuals Filing a Complaint Information for Providers Newsroom Menu Breadcrumb HHS Civil Rights Home Filing a Complaint Complaint Process Page sharing options Navigate to: Filing a Civil Rights Complaint Complaint Process File a Complaint Online What to Expect How to File a Civil Rights Complaint Filing Complaints with Other Agencies If you have a complaint about housing, law enforcement, labor, education, or employment discrimination, OCR does not investigate these types of complaints. Find out where to get help Expand/Collapse Alert Complaint Requirements Your complaint must: Be filed in writing by mail, fax, e-mail, or via the OCR Complaint Portal Name the health care or social service provider involved, and describe the acts or omissions, you believe violated civil rights laws or regulations Be filed within 180 days of when you knew that the act or omission complained of occurred. OCR may extend the 180-day period if you can show "good cause" File a Civil Rights Complaint Online Open the OCR Complaint Portal and select the type of complaint you would like to file. Complete as much information as possible, including: Information about you, the complainant Details of the complaint Any additional information that might help OCR when reviewing your complaint You will then need to electronically sign the complaint and complete the consent form. After completing the consent form you will be able to print out a copy of your complaint to keep for your records File a Civil Rights Complaint in Writing File a Complaint Using the Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form Package Open and fill out the Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form Package in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader software to fill out the complaint and consent forms. You may either: Print and mail the completed complaint and consent forms to: Centralized Case Management Operations U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 509F HHH Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20201 Email the completed complaint and consent forms to OCRComplaint@hhs.gov (Please note that communication by unencrypted email presents a risk that personally identifiable information contained in such an email, may be intercepted by unauthorized third parties) File a Complaint without the Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint Form Package If you prefer, you may submit a written complaint in your own format by either: Mail to Centralized Case Management Operations U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 509F HHH Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20201 Email to OCRComplaint@hhs.gov Be sure to include: Your name Full address Telephone numbers (include area code) E-mail address (if available) Name, full address and telephone number of the person, agency or organization you believe discriminated against you A brief description of what happened, including how, why, and when you believe your (or someone else's) civil rights were violated Any other relevant information Your signature and date of complaint The name of the person on whose behalf you are filing if you are filing a complaint for someone else You may also include: Any special accommodations for us to communicate with you about this complaint Contact information for someone who can help us reach you if we cannot reach you directly If you have filed your complaint somewhere else and where you’ve filed If you mail a complaint, be sure to send it to: Centralized Case Management Operations U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 509F HHH Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20201 You do not need to sign the complaint and consent forms when you submit them by email because submission by email represents your signature. Language assistance services for OCR matters are available and provided free of charge. OCR services are accessible to persons with disabilities. Content last reviewed May 21, 2025 Back to top Follow @SecKennedy Follow @HHSGov HHS Email updates Receive email updates from HHS. Subscribe HHS Headquarters 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​ Contact HHS Careers HHS FAQs Nondiscrimination Notice Press Room HHS Archive Accessibility Statement Budget/Performance Inspector General Web Site Disclaimers EEO/No Fear Act FOIA The White House USA.gov Vulnerability Disclosure Policy