How to File a Discrimination Complaint
If you believe you experienced discrimination based on a protected class in housing, employment, education, public accommodations, or credit, you may be able to file a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC).
A discrimination complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act in the areas of employment, education, public accommodations, and credit. Housing complaints must be filed within 1 (one) year of when the alleged discriminatory act occurred.
Filing a complaint is the first step in the process of reviewing and investigating possible violations of civil rights laws. There is no cost to file a complaint with ICRC.
1. Did the incident involve discrimination?
Discrimination means being treated unfairly because of a protected class, such as:
- Race
- Color
- National origin
- Ancestry
- Religion
- Sex
- Disability
- Familial status (housing only)
- Veteran status (public accommodations only)
- Retaliation for asserting your rights
If your concern is not connected to a protected class, ICRC may not have jurisdiction.
2. Did the issue happen in an area ICRC covers?
ICRC can only investigate discrimination involving:
- Employment
- Housing
- Public accommodations (stores, restaurants, services, etc.)
- Education
- Credit
If your concern is about a general customer service issue, workplace dispute, or landlord/tenant issue without discrimination, another agency may be the correct resource.
3. Did it occur within the legal deadline?
- Housing: within 1 year
- Employment: within 180 days
- Public Accommodations: within 180 days
- Education: within 180 days
- Credit: within 180 days
If the incident happened before these deadlines, ICRC cannot accept the complaint, but we may be able to direct you to another resource.
4. Do you have basic information about what happened?
You should be able to explain:
- What happened
- When it happened
- Who was involved
- Where it happened
You do not need full proof to file, just the basic facts.
5. Are you prepared to sign the complaint?
ICRC can only move forward with a signed Complaint of Discrimination form.
Unsigned complaints cannot be investigated.
Online
You may submit a complaint through the online complaint portal.
The online portal will guide you through a series of questions to help gather information about your situation. You do not need to know legal terms to complete the form.
The portal is deigned to be user-friendly and may also be translated into more than 100 languages.
By Telephone
You may contact the Indiana Civil Rights Commission by phone at 317-232-2600 to begin the complaint process or request assistance.
Staff may help gather information and guide you through the next steps.
By Mail
You may submit a written complaint by mail.
When filing by mail, include:
- Your name and contact information
- The name of the person or organization involved
- A description of what happened
- The date and location of the incident
- The protected class involved
Mailing address:
100 N. Senate Ave. RM N300, Indianapolis, IN 46204
In Person
You may visit the Indiana Civil Rights Commission office to file a complaint or speak with staff.
Staff may assist you with completing the complaint form and answering questions.
100 N. Senate Ave. RM N300, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Located on the third floor of Indiana Government Center North
Accessibility and Assistance
If you need assistance filing a complaint, the Indiana Civil Rights Commission may provide support to help you complete the process.
Step 1: Filing a Complaint
The first step in the process is filing a discrimination complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.
Complaints may be submitted by individuals who believe they experienced discrimination based on a protected class in a covered area such as housing, employment, education, public accommodations, or credit.
The complaint should include information about:
- The individual or organization involved
- The type of discrimination that occurred
- The protected class involved
- When and where the incident occurred
This information helps the Commission review the complaint.
Step 2: Initial Review
After a complaint is filed, the Commission conducts an initial review to determine whether the complaint falls within its jurisdiction.
This review considers whether the complaint involves:
- A protected class
- A covered area such as housing, employment, education, public accommodations, or credit
If the complaint falls within the Commission’s jurisdiction, the case may move forward in the process.
Step 3: Investigation
If a complaint moves forward, the Commission may conduct an investigation.
During the investigation, staff may gather information from the parties involved. This may include:
- Written statements
- Documents or records
- Interviews with individuals who may have relevant information
The investigation helps determine whether there is evidence of discrimination.
Step 4: Possible Mediation
In some cases, the parties involved may have the opportunity to participate in mediation.
Mediation is a voluntary process in which both parties work with a neutral mediator to try to resolve the dispute.
If an agreement is reached, the case may be resolved without further proceedings.
To learn more, visit the Mediation and Conciliation page.
Step 5: Determination
After the investigation is completed, the Commission reviews the information gathered and makes a determination based on the evidence.
This determination may address whether there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred.
Step 6: Possible Next Steps
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the case may proceed through additional steps such as:
- Settlement discussions
- Administrative hearings
- Other legal proceedings
Each case is evaluated based on its individual circumstances.
Need Help or Have Questions
If you have questions about filing a complaint or need assistance, you may contact the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.
You may also explore the following resources:
