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How Do You File an EEOC Charge?

Learn how to file an EEOC charge, when the 180-day or 300-day deadline applies, and why the Public Portal interview step matters before the charge is finalized.

Direct answer

To file an EEOC charge, start through the EEOC Public Portal, an EEOC office, or another official EEOC filing channel and provide employer details, what happened, when it happened, and why you believe it was discrimination. The deadline is often 180 days, but it can extend to 300 days in some states or localities. Federal employees and applicants use a different federal-sector process.

employer discrimination facts + EEOC filing channel + deadline check = EEOC charge path

Before filing

Who is the employer?

Identifies the respondent

Gather name, address, contact

What happened?

Frames the claim

Write dates and events

Why discriminatory?

Connects to protected basis

Race, sex, age, disability, retaliation

How old is it?

Controls deadline

Check 180 vs 300 days

Federal employee?

Different process

Use federal-sector complaint rules

Question	Why it matters	Action
Who is the employer?	Identifies the respondent	Gather name, address, contact
What happened?	Frames the claim	Write dates and events
Why discriminatory?	Connects to protected basis	Race, sex, age, disability, retaliation
How old is it?	Controls deadline	Check 180 vs 300 days
Federal employee?	Different process	Use federal-sector complaint rules

An inquiry is not always the finished charge

EEOC's online path often starts with an inquiry and interview scheduling. The formal charge is a signed statement, and EEOC says an unsigned mailed letter cannot be investigated.

File the charge

1Confirm the issue is employment discrimination under laws EEOC enforces, not a federal-sector complaint with separate rules.
2Check whether the deadline is 180 days or may extend to 300 days.
3Gather employer, dates, events, protected-basis, witness, and contact details.
4Use the EEOC Public Portal, an EEOC office, or mail path to start the charge process.
5Sign the charge or written filing when EEOC requires a signature.

FAQ

Do I have to file with the EEOC before suing?

For most laws enforced by EEOC, you must file a charge of discrimination before you can file a lawsuit. EEOC notes the Equal Pay Act has different rules.

Is the EEOC charge deadline always 180 days?

No. EEOC says the usual deadline is 180 calendar days, but it can extend to 300 days when a state or local agency enforces a similar law. Age-discrimination extensions have additional rules.

Can I file an EEOC charge by phone?

EEOC says charges are not taken over the phone, but calling 1-800-669-4000 can start the process and help explain how to file.

Sources & method

We reviewed these references while writing this answer. Figures are estimates — confirm safety-critical work with a professional. Last updated June 7, 2026.