Charge Filing Procedure with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission

The Ohio Civil Rights Commission has jurisdiction to investigate charges of discrimination in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation (access to services and facilities open to the public), disability in higher education (beyond the high school/secondary level) and credit.  The bases protected against discrimination in Ohio are: race, color, sex, disability, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, familial status in housing, military status and retaliation.  The Ohio Civil Rights Commission has a statute of limitations of six months (or one year for housing) and cannot investigate acts of discrimination that occurred prior to that date.  For this reason, all charges of discrimination must be filed within 6 months of the date that the discrimination occurred (with housing charges having one year to file).

METHODS FOR FILING A CHARGE

You may file a charge of discrimination with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission by visiting an office in person or completing and mailing the charge to one of our regional offices.

FILING IN PERSON:

You may visit one of our office locations to file the charge.  Our staff will provide assistance in drafting and filing an official Charge of Discrimination. The offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm but please arrive by 3:30 pm to allow enough time to complete the charge filing process. Click here to view office locations.

MAIL 

You may download, print and complete the charge form in its entirety. Take the completed charge to a notary and sign it in their presence.  Mail your signed and notarized charge affidvit to your local office. Remember: the charge will not be considered official until the Ohio Civil Rights Commission receives a notarized copy with original signature. Click here to view office locations.

(Please note the housing charge does not carry the notary requirement for the charge to be considered official.)

If you believe you are a victim of discrimination and would like to file a charge, you may start by clicking on one of the options below:

EMPLOYMENT

PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION

DISABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

CREDIT

HOUSING

Notice: The information on this page may not be current.  Users must independently verify the accuracy and currency of the information found here. OHIO NOW EDUCATION AND LEGAL FUND disclaims all liability for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information or data found on this page.