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File A Discrimination Complaint

Rectangular graphic with a red‑to‑blue gradient background displaying the text ‘File a Discrimination Complaint,’ next to a white outline of a document with writing lines and a pencil icon.

In this Section: 

Who Can File a Complaint

You may file a discrimination complaint if you believe you have been discriminated against in employment, housing, public accommodations and educational institutions based on a protected trait in DC. You can also file a complaint based on language access services denied at a government agency, an employer who improperly asked about your criminal record during the application or interview process, or discrimination by a taxi or vehicle-for-hire. Other helpful facts include:
  • You do not have to be a District of Columbia resident, but the alleged discrimination must have taken place in the District of Columbia. 
  • Your complaint must be filed with OHR within one year of the occurrence or discovery of the alleged act.
  • DC government employees alleging employment discrimination must first consult an Equal Employment Opportunity counselor in any agency.The EEO counselor has 30 calendar days in which to seek a solution on an informal basis. You may file formal charges with the Office within 15 calendar days of your final interview with the EEO counselor.
  • Federal employees alleging employment discrimination should consult with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission at www.eeoc.gov.

How to File a Complaint

To file a complaint with the Office of Human Rights (OHR), simply complete an intake questionnaire and submit it to OHR.  Please select from the list below the intake questionnaire that pertains to your complaint. You may choose to fill out forms online or using the print version; both may be submitted online by emailing them to [email protected]. Please note, that sending an email without a complaint form will not be accepted. 

Alternative to submitting online, you can file a complaint the following ways: 

  • In-Person/Mail: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20001  
  • Fax: (202) 727-9589 

D.C. Regulations require that as part of the intake process, a complainant must provide OHR with a “statement of the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice(s) and a statement of the particulars,” and the “date(s) of the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice.” This means that a complainant must describe the unlawful discrimination and the date that the discrimination occurred with enough detail that OHR can determine if OHR can or  should investigate the complaint. For example, OHR will review the information to determine whether the individual filed the complaint within one year of the act of discrimination, whether the act occurred in the District, or whether the allegation is an act prohibited by the DCHRA.

An OHR Intake Officer may request an interview and/or additional information to decide whether OHR has jurisdiction over the matter and/or whether the complaint states a violation of the DCHRA. Complainants must fully cooperate with OHR by responding to all communications and requests for information from OHR staff truthfully, respectfully, and in a timely manner. If a complainant fails to cooperate in the intake process, OHR may dismiss the complaint.

Forms for Filing a Complaint Under the DC Human Rights Act

Educational Institutions

Please fill out this form if you believe a school, college, university, technical school, or other educational institution has discriminated against you based on one of the 16 protected traits under the DCHRA in educational institutions. This may include actions involving admission, curriculum, participation in programs, reasonable accommodation (for example, for religion or disability), support services, or any other part of your educational experience.

 

Employment

Please fill out this form if you are an employee, job applicant, or worker in DC and believe you have experienced discrimination in the workplace based on any of the 18 protected traits under the DCHRA in employment. This may include actions such as failure to hire, denial of promotion, sexual harassment, discipline, termination, or retaliation. This form is also for individuals who believe their rights were violated under the DC Family and Medical Leave Act (DCFMLA), such as denial of leave or retaliation for requesting or taking leave. You can learn more about DCFMLA by visiting OHR’s Frequently Asked Questions document here.

 

Housing

Please fill out this form if you believe the actions of a landlord, property manager, real estate agent, or any other housing provider in DC has resulted in you experiencing discrimination based on any of the 20 protected characteristics in housing. This may include actions such as refusal to rent or sell, discriminatory advertising, or subjected to different terms or conditions. This also includes being treated differently regarding your source of income, such as housing vouchers (Section 8). You can learn more about source of income discrimination in housing by clicking here.

 

Places of Public Accommodation or Government Services  

Please fill out this form if you believe you were denied equal service, access, or treatment by a business or a District of Columbia government agency based on any of the 19 protected characteristics in public accommodations and government services. Public accommodations include places like restaurants, stores, hotels, and gyms. Government services include places such as the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), DC Department of Human Services service centers, DC Public Libraries, and other DC government offices that provide services to the public.

Forms for Filing a Complaint Under Additional Laws:

Care for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors with HIV Complaint Form (Updated on July 2025)

Please fill out this form if you are a senior residing in a long-term care Facility who believes you have experienced discrimination based on your actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, HIV status, or any other protected characteristic. For more information on this law, please visit the Care for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors with HIV Amendment Act of 2020 page.

 

Fair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Complaint Form    

To file a complaint because you believe an rental housing provider improperly asked about your criminal background during the application review process, did not provide you with eligibility criteria used to consider your application before accepting an application fee or because a conditional housing offer was withdrawn after criminal convictions were discovered, please see our Criminal Background and Screening Complaint Form.

 

Fair Criminal Record Screening for Employment Complaint Form    

To file a complaint because you believe an employer improperly asked about your criminal background during the application or interview process, or because a conditional job offer was revoked after criminal convictions were discovered, please see our Criminal Background and Screening Complaint Form.

 

Language Access Public Complaint Form (Updated March 2025)

 

Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Complaint Form  (Updated on July 2025)

To file a complaint because an employer failed to provide reasonable workplace accommodations for employees whose ability to perform job duties is limited because of pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or a related medical condition, please see our Protecting Pregnant Workers Fairness Act information page.

You can file an initial complaint in the following languages below:

 

Rental Tenant Screening Violations Complaint Form

Complete this form if you believe a housing provider has violated tenant screening requirements under the Eviction Record Sealing Authority and Fairness in Renting Amendment Act of 2022. 

Second Chance Amendment Act Initial Written Complaint

This initial written complaint is designed to report alleged violations of Title II of the Second Chance Amendment Act of 2022 (SCAA), which went into effect on October 1, 2025. The SCAA prohibits criminal history providers from: (1) reporting criminal history information related to records that have been sealed, expunged, or set aside; (2) reporting criminal history they know is inaccurate; or (3) including criminal history information that has not been updated to reflect changes occurring 30 days or more before the date of the report.  Criminal history providers are required to: (1) provide the subject of a criminal record with a copy of the criminal history report; (2) state the original source of this information and the date the information was obtained; and (3) use two identifiers, such as date of birth and name, before reporting a person’s criminal record.
 
You can file an initial complaint in the following languages below:

 

Taxicab or Vehicle-for-Hire Discrimination Complaints  

If you believe you were discriminated against by a taxi driver, vehicle-for-hire driver or related company while in the District of Columbia, you can file a complaint with both the DC Taxicab Commission and the DC Office of Human Rights by completing an online form. To file a complaint, please read our Taxicab and Vehicle-for-Hire Complaint page. 

English (Instructions) 

 

Unemployed Anti-Discrimination Act Complaint Form

To file a complaint because you believe an employer failed or refused to consider you for employment because you were unemployed, please see our Unemployed Anti-Discrimination Act information page.

 

Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act (UPL) Complaint Form 

Complete this form ONLY if you believe a private sector employer has interfered with your right to the benefits provided under the UPL or if you believe that a private sector employer has retaliated against you for requesting, applying for, or using paid leave under the UPL. If you are a D.C. government employee who wishes to file a complaint based on your application for Paid Family Leave (PFL), you should file your complaint with the D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR).

 

Youth Bullying Prevention Act Complaint Questionnaire

If you believe an educational institution, grantee, or youth-serving government agency has violated the Youth Bullying Prevention Act through inadequate investigations, retaliation, or failure to follow required procedures, use this form to file a complaint.

You can file an initial complaint in the following languages below, please note that all forms were updated on October 7, 2025.

Additional Questions and Customer Conduct 

If you have any further questions please contact us via:

  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • In-Person: 441 4th Street NW, Suite 570N, Washington, DC 20001
  • Phone: (202) 727-4559

When you call or visit us and require language assistance, our staff will connect you with a live interpreter to ensure we can assist you effectively.

Please note that while OHR is available to answer questions to the best of our ability, any information provided should not be considered legal advice.

OHR is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and productive environment for all. Harassing, threatening, or abusive behavior interferes with our ability to serve the public and will not be tolerated. You can learn more by reading OHR’s Customer Conduct Policy.

 

This webpage was last updated on March 24, 2026.

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