Paper comments must be filed by 7:00PM ET on the deadline date. The deadline date is almost always included on the first page of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking or Notice of Inquiry.
Whether you are filing your comment, it is critical to include the Docket Number or Rulemaking Number of the item. This number can be found on the front page of the Commission document or public notice. This number is important because it ensures that your comments will be associated with the correct FCC proceeding.
All comments should be typed in 10 or 12 point or written legibly.
It is advisable to include a contact name, address, and telephone number in your comments.
If you are requesting that your comments be withheld from public inspection, they must be clearly and conspicuously labeled "Not for Public Inspection" or "Confidential". This designation should be placed in the upper right-hand corner of each page.
When these comments are filed, they should be placed in a separate envelope, and the envelope, as well as your comments, must be clearly marked "Not for Public Inspection" or "Confidential".
Signatures should be original and placed above the typed or clearly printed name to ensure that the signatures are always legible.
If your filing is self-explanatory, no cover or transmittal letter is necessary. If you provide information in a cover or transmittal letter that is not included in your comments, a copy of that letter should be included with the original and each copy of the filing.
Except as otherwise and specifically provided in the Commission's Rules (See Section 1.51), the required number of copies is as follows.
When filing comments or reply comments, an original and 4 copies are required. The original should contain an original signature.
If you would like your comments to be distributed to the Commissioners, you will need to submit an original and 9 copies.
If you are filing comments on a proceeding that lists multiple docket or rulemaking numbers on its front page, you must submit two additional copies for each referenced docket or rulemaking number.
The comment filing package should consist of the original and the required number of copies. Do not staple the original document. However, each copy must be individually stapled. Use a rubber band, binder clip, or paperclip to hold the filing package together.
You may either mail or hand-deliver your comments to the FCC.
Hand or Messenger Delivered accepted between 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. only
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
c/o Natek, Inc., Inc.
236 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Suite 110
Washington, DC 20002
Commercial overnight mail, EXCEPT United States Postal Service
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
9300 East Hampton Drive
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
All other mail, INCLUDING United States Postal Service Express Mail, Priority Mail, and First Class Mail
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
Hand-delivered comments are accepted Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, during the hours of 8:00AM to 7:00PM ET.
To obtain a receipt, place a copy of either the cover letter or first page of your comments on top of your filing package. Please note that one and only one receipt stamp will be issued per filing. When using a courier service for hand-delivered comments, arrange to avoid the need for a FCC staff person's signature on a messenger receipt form. We will provide a stamped, receipt copy or a messenger receipt form, but not both.
When you or your messenger approach the counter in the 12th Street Lobby, your comment filing package must be ready for submission. You or your messenger should remove the filing package from any envelope. This requirement does not apply to confidential comment filings.
Ready for submission also means that the original comments are signed and your filing is properly packaged with the required number of copies.
If you have questions concerning the guidelines for filing paper comments to the FCC, you may contact the Office of the Secretary at (202) 418-0300, TTY (202) 418-2960.