Gathering and analyzing comments from the public is an important part of the FCC's rulemaking process, and it allows the public to participate in developing rules and polices that affect telecommunications and broadcast issues.
Whenever Congress enacts a law affecting telecommunications, the FCC starts a proceeding to create the rules and policies required by the new law. The commission also may start a proceeding when an outside party files a petition seeking a new law or change in existing rules.
Most FCC rules are adopted by a process known as "notice and comment" rulemaking, which gives the public notice that it is considering adopting or modifying rules on a particular subject and seeks the public's comment. The Commission considers the comments received in developing final rules.
Learn more about the FCC's decision-making processes.
Submitting Comments
When submitting comments to the FCC, be aware that:
- Comments should include your name.
- You must include the docket number or rulemaking number of the proceeding for the corresponding comment. The docket number or rulemaking number of the proceeding can be found on the first page of the FCC document or Public Notice opening the proceeding.
- You can file a comment both electronically and in paper format.
- Electronic comments must be filed by midnight Eastern Time on the date of the comment deadline.
- Written comments must be filed by 7p.m. ET on the date of the comment deadline.
- Comments you submit to the FCC will be made public.
E-Filing Address:
(Available for Docketed/Rulemaking Filings Only)
Comments filed through the EElectronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to ECFS. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ecfs@fcc.gov and should include the following words in the body of the message: "get form" and your e-mail address. A sample form and directions will be sent in reply.
Filing in Paper Format
Printed copies of comments may be filed with the Commission (click for location) no later than 7:00 p.m. ET on the deadline date. Please include an original (with an original signature) and four copies of your comment, and be sure to include a contact name, address, and phone number in your comments. Please type in 12-point or larger font or write legibly. Cover letters are not necessary. If your comments are confidential, label each page "Not for Public Inspection" or "Confidential" in the upper right-hand corner and provide an explanation for why you believe the filing should be confidential. See full guidelines for filing paper comments.
Hard Copy Filing Addresses:
Hand or Messenger Delivered accepted between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. only
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
9050 Junction Drive
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
Commercial overnight mail, EXCEPT United States Postal Service
Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
Office of the Secretary
9050 Junction Drive
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
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
45 L Street NE
Washington, DC 20554
Comments from People with Disabilities
People with disabilities filing comments in non-print formats should include a contact name, address and phone number. Always reference the docket or rulemaking number when filing in Commission proceedings. Providing a print copy will expedite processing. If you have questions about access for people with disabilities, send an email to FCC504@fcc.gov or call or call 1-202-418-0530 (voice), or 1-202-418-0432 (TTY).
Acronyms and Terms
The following are some FCC-related terms and acronyms and some instructions that will help you in filing comments and understanding the FCC's decision-making processes.
- En banc
- Ex parte
- Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM)
- Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O)
- Notice of Inquiry (NOI)
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
- Order on Reconsideration
- Petition for Rulemaking (Petition)
- Public Notice (PN)
- Report and Order (R&O)
- Petition for Reconsideration
Privacy and Online Information
If you voluntarily provide the FCC with personal information, by sending an e-mail or by filling out a form and submitting it through our website, you are indicating voluntary consent for the FCC to use the information you are submitting to respond to your message and to help us provide you with the information and services that you have requested.
Your submission, including personal information, may be shared within the FCC as well as with other Federal or State agencies, or others if necessary to address matters raised in your submission as allowed by the Commission's systems of records or as otherwise required or authorized by statute, including requests from Congress, Freedom of Information Act requests from private individuals or companies, for law enforcement purposes, for routine agency uses subject to the Privacy Act, or under our access and public record rules.
The Commission works continuously to set out and implement procedures to regulate the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of Privacy Act-protected information. Visit our Privacy Act Web Page for complete information about our compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, and information on how to file a Privacy Act request.
Any comments that you submit to the FCC on a proposed rulemaking, petition, or other document for which public comment is requested will be made public, including any personally identifiable information you include in your submission. We may share non-personally identifiable information with others, including the public, in aggregated form, in partial or edited form, or verbatim.
Printable Version
How to Comment on FCC Proceedings (pdf)