Key points
- The Division's intake starts with a discrimination report, made through its Call Center at (844) 697-3471 or its online Discrimination Reporting Form.[1]
- A report is not yet an official complaint: the Division reviews it, prepares a formal complaint, and the complaint is officially filed when the person signs and returns it.[2]
- The New York State Human Rights Law sets a three-year period for the complaint, which applies to claims arising on or after February 15, 2024.[3][4]
- Reporting discrimination to the Division is free, and no attorney is needed to submit a report or file a complaint.[5]
- Filing a Division complaint generally bars a court suit on the same State Human Rights Law claim.[6]
As of October 2026, a person starts a case at the New York State Division of Human Rights by making a "discrimination report," either by calling the Division's Call Center at (844) 697-3471 or by completing its online Discrimination Reporting Form.[1] The report is not the complaint. The Division reviews it, and if the matter is covered by the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) it prepares a formal complaint for the person to review, sign and return; the complaint is officially filed when the signed document comes back.[2]
The Division is the State agency that enforces the NYSHRL, Executive Law article 15.[7][8] This page covers the State process only. The NYC Commission on Human Rights and the EEOC have their own procedures and their own time limits.
Who can file, and against whom?
Under the NYSHRL, any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice may file a complaint, personally or through an attorney.[9] The Commissioner of Labor, the Attorney General and the Division itself may also file.[9] The NYSHRL covers all employers within the state, with no minimum number of employees in the definition.[10] A person who does not live in New York State has to show that the alleged conduct had an impact within the state.[11] The guides to which employers are covered and who is protected go further.
One limit comes first. A person who has already started a court action based on the same act may not file a Division complaint about the same grievance.[12]
How long do you have?
The NYSHRL says: "Any complaint filed pursuant to this section must be so filed within three years after the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice."[3] The three-year period came from a 2023 law that applies to claims arising on or after its effective date, and the Division gives that date as February 15, 2024.[4][13]
For acts of discrimination before February 15, 2024, the Division states that three years applies only to workplace sexual harassment claims, and that for all other types of claims the time to file with the Division, which was one year, has expired.[13]
Two things to know about the clock. First, the Division's own Rules of Practice, 9 NYCRR § 465.3(e), still printed a one-year filing period as published in October 2026; the statute says three years.[14][3] Second, the statute measures the three years to the filing of the complaint, the Division says a report is not an official complaint yet, and neither the statute nor the Division's page says that a report made inside the three years protects a complaint signed after them.[3][2]
The Division counts from "the most recent incident."[13] New York State's model sexual harassment prevention policy adds that complaining internally to an employer does not extend the time to file with the Division or in court.[15] The master deadlines table shows how this period compares with the federal and City ones.
How to file, step by step
- Make the report by phone or online. The Division says the easiest way is its Call Center at (844) 697-3471, where an agent asks questions about what happened and submits the report. The other way is to complete the online Discrimination Reporting Form yourself.[1] Both start from the Division's Report Discrimination page.
- Wait for the Division's review. The Division reviews the report to decide whether the incident is covered by the NYSHRL, and says this may take several weeks.[2]
- Review the complaint the Division prepares. If the matter is covered, the Division prepares a formal complaint on the person's behalf.[2] The statute calls for the complaint to be in writing.[9]
- Sign and return it. The Division says the complaint is officially filed once the person signs and returns the document.[2] The statute allows a complaint "under oath or by declaration."[9]
- The Division serves the employer. After filing, the Division sends the complaint to the respondents, asks for a written response, and gives the complainant a chance to reply in writing.[16][17]
The Division's page lists the phone and online routes as the two ways to file; it does not list walk-in or mail filing.[1] A person with a disability who cannot use the Call Center can ask for the form in an alternative format.[1] The Division's Rules of Practice, 9 NYCRR § 465.3(b), still describe a complaint "signed and verified before a notary public," with notarial service furnished without charge by the Division; the statute's current wording is "under oath or by declaration."[18][9]
What should you have ready?
The statute calls for a complaint that states the name and address of the person alleged to have committed the practice and sets out the particulars.[9] The rest of this section is practical, not legal. The Call Center agent or the online form will ask what happened, so it helps to have in front of you:
- the employer's full name and address, and the names and job titles of the people involved;
- a short timeline with the date of each event and the date of the most recent one;
- the names of anyone who saw or heard what happened;
- copies of your own messages, notes, reviews, schedules or pay records that relate to the events;
- the date and content of any complaint you made inside the company, and the response.
The guide to documenting what happened covers record-keeping in more detail.
What does it cost, and do you need a lawyer?
The Division states: "Reporting discrimination to the Division of Human Rights is free, and you do not need an attorney to submit a report or file a complaint."[5] Its investigators are neutral fact-finders who represent New York State; they are not advocates for either side and cannot give legal advice to any party.[5]
For workplace sexual harassment, the NYSHRL also directs the Division to run a toll-free confidential hotline during regular business hours.[19] New York State's FAQ on workplace sexual harassment, as of September 2026, tells workers to call the Division at 844-697-3471 for information on reporting sexual harassment and for a referral to a volunteer attorney who can give limited free assistance by phone.[20] The State's 2023 model sexual harassment prevention policy prints a different hotline number, 1 (800) HARASS3.[21] The guide to whether you need a lawyer and the list of free and low-cost legal help describe other options.
What happens after the complaint is filed?
The Division assigns complaints to investigators in the order received.[16] The investigator may interview the parties and witnesses, request documents and visit locations, and the Division says this stage can take several months.[16] At the end, the Division determines whether there is probable cause; a probable cause finding sends the case to a public hearing, and a finding of no probable cause dismisses it.[22] A complaint can be settled at any point after it is filed if both sides agree and the Division approves.[23]
The NYSHRL sets target times: 180 days after filing for the probable cause determination and 270 days after filing for a notice of hearing.[24] The Division's own statement to the public is that the investigation should be expected to take "at least several months, and sometimes longer."[25] The companion guide, inside a Division of Human Rights case, walks through each stage, the hearing and court review.
How does filing affect a lawsuit or an EEOC charge?
A lawsuit under State or City law. Filing a complaint with the Division is an election of remedies: the person generally cannot then sue in court on the same NYSHRL claim.[6] The New York City Human Rights Law also treats a complaint filed with the State Division as a bar to its court action.[26] The election of remedies guide explains the rule and its exceptions.
A federal claim. Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act and Age Discrimination in Employment Act claims call for a charge with the EEOC, with a 300-day period in New York.[7][27][28] The EEOC's general description of "dual filing" is that a state agency with a worksharing agreement shares a charge with the EEOC when federal law also covers the allegation.[29] The Division's public pages on reporting, what to expect, hearings and contact, as of August 2026, do not mention the EEOC or dual filing, so whether a Division complaint also reaches the EEOC is a point to confirm with the Division or the EEOC.[30] The NYC Commission on Human Rights, for its part, states that it no longer automatically cross-files with the EEOC.[31] See the guide to dual filing and worksharing.
An arbitration agreement. New York State says the Division does not enforce mandatory arbitration clauses and intends to proceed with discrimination claims filed with it, though in a particular case a judge might order the Division to stop processing a claim.[32]
Division of Human Rights contact details
| Contact | Details as published by the Division |
|---|---|
| Call Center | (844) 697-3471, the line for making a discrimination report.[33][1] |
| TDD/TTY | 718-741-8300.[33] |
| Central office | One Fordham Plaza, Bronx, NY 10458.[33] |
| Brooklyn office | Primarily responsible for complaints in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island.[33] |
| Harlem office | Primarily responsible for complaints in Manhattan and in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.[33] |
| Long Island region (Hempstead and Hauppauge) | Primarily responsible for complaints in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Queens.[33] |
| Other regions | Capital and Central region offices in Albany, Binghamton and Syracuse; Western region offices in Buffalo and Rochester.[33] |
The Division received 8,403 complaints in State fiscal year 2024 (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024), and 77% of all complaints involved allegations of employment discrimination.[34] The agency directory lists the other agencies that handle workplace complaints in New York.
Common questions
Does it cost anything to file with the Division of Human Rights?
No. The Division states that reporting discrimination to it is free and that a person does not need an attorney to submit a report or file a complaint.[5] If a case reaches a public hearing, the statute provides that the case in support of the complaint is presented by a Division attorney or agent and, if the complainant chooses, by the complainant's own attorney.[35]
How long do I have to file with the Division?
The New York State Human Rights Law says a complaint is due within three years after the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice.[3] That period applies to claims arising on or after February 15, 2024.[4] For acts before that date, the Division says three years applies only to workplace sexual harassment and that the one-year time for other claims has expired.[13]
Does my phone or online report count as filing on time?
Neither the statute nor the Division's page answers that directly. The Division says the report is not an official complaint yet and that its review may take several weeks; the complaint is officially filed when the signed document is returned.[2] The statute measures the three years to the filing of the complaint.[3] Neither says that a report alone stops the clock, so the cautious course is to report well before the period ends.
Do I need to have my complaint notarized?
The New York State Human Rights Law allows a written complaint to be made, signed and filed "under oath or by declaration," so a sworn, notarized statement is not the only form the statute allows.[9] Under the Division's current process, the Division prepares the formal complaint and asks the person to review, sign and return it.[2]
Can I still sue in court after filing with the Division?
Generally not on the same New York State Human Rights Law claim. Filing a complaint with the Division is an election of remedies.[6] The right to sue is preserved if the Division dismisses for administrative convenience, for untimeliness, or because the election is annulled, and a complainant may ask for annulment at any time before a hearing before a hearing examiner.[12]
How long does a Division case take?
The Division tells the public to expect the investigation to take at least several months, and sometimes longer, from the time an official complaint is filed.[25] The New York State Human Rights Law separately directs the Division to determine probable cause within 180 days after a complaint is filed, which is a different figure from what the Division tells the public.[24][25]
Sources
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "Report Discrimination" (dhr.ny.gov/report) — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "Report Discrimination" and "What To Expect" — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(5) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- L. 2023, ch. 656, §§ 1–2 — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "Report Discrimination" — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(9); N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 8-502(a)-(b) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)(1), (f)(1); N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(1), (9); N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 8-109(a), 8-502(a); 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 290(1) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(1) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 292(5) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- Hoffman v. Parade Publications, 15 N.Y.3d 285, 289, 291 (2010) — static.case.law
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(9) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "Report Discrimination" — "Deadline for Reporting Discrimination" — New York State Division of Human Rights
- 9 NYCRR § 465.3(e); N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(5) — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- NYS Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy (2023 version), p. 10 — State of New York
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "What To Expect", Steps 2-3 — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(2)(a); N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "What To Expect" — New York State Division of Human Rights
- 9 NYCRR § 465.3(b) — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 295(18) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- NYS, *Combating Workplace Sexual Harassment FAQs*, For Workers Q2, Q6 — State of New York
- N.Y.S. Department of Labor / Division of Human Rights, Model Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy (updated version posted at ny.gov) — State of New York
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "What To Expect", Step 4; N.Y. Exec. Law § 298 — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "What To Expect", Step 5 — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(2)(a), (4)(a), (4)(c) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "Report Discrimination"; "What To Expect" — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 8-502(a). — New York City Commission on Human Rights
- 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)(1) — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- EEOC, New York District Office, "Timeliness" (read 5 Oct 2026) — U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- EEOC, "Fair Employment Practices Agencies (FEPAs) and Dual Filing" (page read Oct. 5, 2026) — U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "Report Discrimination"; "What To Expect"; "Public Hearings"; "Contact Us" (Internet Archive captures of Aug. 3 and 13, 2026, read Oct. 5, 2026) — New York State Division of Human Rights
- NYC Commission on Human Rights, "Complaint Process" — "Note about CCHR & EEOC Dual Filing" (page read Oct. 5, 2026) — New York City Commission on Human Rights
- NYS, *Combating Workplace Sexual Harassment FAQs*, Mandatory Arbitration Q1 — State of New York
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, "Contact Us" — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y.S. Division of Human Rights, Annual Report FY2023-2024, p. 14 ("Complaints Filed by Jurisdiction, FY2024") — New York State Division of Human Rights
- N.Y. Exec. Law § 297(4)(a) — New York State Senate, Laws of New York