How To File A Complaint 

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Intake Form - for Employment, Education, Credit, Public Accommodations

Intake Form - for Housing

How To File Brochure

Fill out a Complaint Intake Form and return it to our office at the following address:

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
425 Second Street SE, Suite 960
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Or contact us to be send a copy of the form:

Telephone: 319.286.5036
Fax: 319.286.5136
Email: civilrights@cedar-rapids.org

A person claiming to be aggrieved by an unfair or discriminatory practice must file a complaint with this office within 180 days of the last alleged discriminatory act.


Filing Guideline Facts

  • There is no cost involved in filing a complaint of discrimination.
  • You do not need to have an attorney before you file.
  • The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will not act as your lawyer, recommend an attorney, or give you legal advice.
  • Anyone may file a charge of discrimination as long as certain conditions are met.
  • Parents or guardians may file on behalf of their minor children.
  • Discrimination complaints may be filed against an employer, employment agency, labor organization, educational institution, property owner, landlord and/or any business or facility open to the general public.
  • All inquiries and complaints are confidential.
  • Discrimination complaints must be filed within 180 calendar days of the last discriminatory incident.  Complaints can be filed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission if beyond the 180 days but less than 300 days.
  • The complaint must state a legal basis for the discrimination. Simply saying that someone discriminated against you or does not like you is not enough. See Areas of Coverage page. 
  • A formal Charge of Discrimination must be signed and filed by the person making the allegations. Anonymous complaints cannot be filed or investigated.
  • For the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission to have jurisdiction, the complaint must have taken place within the Cedar Rapids city limits.


Important Notes To Remember:

The Complaint form is not a formal charge of discrimination.

We will not act as your attorney or provide you with legal advice.

It is unlawful under the laws of the State of Iowa and the laws of the United States of America to falsely a claim against another person or entity.