The Fair Employment and Housing act (FEHA), at Government Code section 12965, subdivision (b), requires that individuals must exhaust their administrative remedies with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing by filing a complaint and obtaining a "right-to-sue notice" from the Department before filing a lawsuit under the FEHA. DFEH will accept requests for an immediate DFEH "right-to-sue notice" from persons who have decided to proceed in court. Your DFEH complaint must be filed within one year from the last act of discrimination or you may lose your right to file a lawsuit under the FEHA.

The decision to request such an authorization is a critical one. If you choose to request a "right-to-sue notice" now, the Department will not investigate your complaint. Obtaining a right-to-sue and waiving the Department’s investigation is only advisable if you have been instructed to do so by an attorney. If you have decided to request a "right-to-sue notice" at this time, click on the form below and print it out. The packet should be mailed back to the address on the form of the office closest to you. If you wish to have the Department investigate your complaint, contact our Communication Center at l-800-884-1684.