How to Complain to Your State Attorney General: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Filing a complaint with your state Attorney General's office gives US consumers a vital way to tackle disputes with businesses, scams, or fraud. Locate your state's consumer protection portal using directories like USA.gov/state-consumer or the NAAG Center for Consumer Protection, which cover all states and territories as of 2026. Processes differ by state--some favor online forms, others mail or fax--but the basic steps cover preparation, submission, and follow-up, all without needing a lawyer.

In preparation, check if another agency oversees the issue and collect details on who, what, when, where, and how the problem arose. Submit through your state's main channel, such as an online portal, and look for confirmation like an email or file number. State AGs emphasize mediation, spotting patterns for enforcement, and public education, drawing on state and federal consumer laws through partnerships. The guide outlines these steps, with examples from Michigan, California, Washington, Texas, DC, and Georgia.

Identify Your State’s Attorney General Consumer Complaint Portal

Every state and territory runs its own consumer protection system, so start by finding the correct one. Directories make this straightforward: the USA.gov/state-consumer page links to your state's consumer protection office, and the NAAG site offers an updated list of Attorney General resources into 2026.

These resources reflect differences, like online-only options in some states or phone assistance in others. Skip any idea of a uniform national process; use the directories to reach your state's page for scams, unfair practices, or product issues.

Prepare Before Filing Your Complaint

Confirm first that the Attorney General's office covers your issue, to prevent holdups. Consult state agency directories--for example, Michigan points users to its list, California provides a complaint referral table, and Washington has a "Help by Topic" section or links to specialized agencies.

Jurisdiction often ties to your residency or the business's location, as in Washington (for WA residents or WA-based businesses) and DC (with a similar emphasis). Pull together specifics: who was involved, what happened, when and where, and how it impacted you, following Georgia's guidance. For areas like certain professions or fraud, expect possible referrals--California suggests routing fraud or crimes to local district attorneys or city attorneys.

This preparation directs your complaint properly, strengthening it with full details and any permitted attachments.

General Steps to File a Complaint with Your State AG

Most states share a common workflow, with state-specific tweaks. Access your state's portal through the directories. Prepare your details, then pick the filing method: online forms dominate in DC and Texas, while printable forms for mail or fax suit Georgia.

Fill out the form completely--Texas notes no save feature--and add supporting files within limits, like 10 files in Texas. Submit for confirmation, such as a screen with a file number in Michigan or an email in Texas. States review complaints but restrict actions to mediation or pattern-driven investigations, without forcing businesses to settle individual cases, as Washington and DC explain.

Keep your reference number handy and await follow-up, with no firm timelines beyond routine reviews like Michigan's few weeks for thousands of complaints.

State-Specific Complaint Processes and Examples

States blend preparation, filing, and confirmation in their own ways. Michigan users check the agency directory on the Michigan AG complaints page, then file online for a confirmation screen with a file number. California's oag.ca.gov/consumers begins with the referral table; if no other agency matches, submit the Complaint Against Business form, sending fraud to local DAs. Washington at atg.wa.gov/file-complaint recommends reviewing specialized agencies before informal complaints from residents or against in-state businesses. Texas relies on an online form with limits and email confirmation. DC favors its online portal for review and mediation. Georgia provides online or printable forms, asking for who/what/when/where/how details.

Consult this table to compare approaches and follow your state's process.

What Happens After You Submit

Reviews begin once you file--DC routes complaints to a paralegal or investigator, while places like Michigan handle thousands in a few weeks. States may forward details to businesses for response, as Washington does, or track patterns for larger investigations, according to California and Washington.

You might hear back for more information, like in Texas, but resolutions aren't mandated, nor is personal legal help, as Washington and DC make clear. DC responds to every complaint, though results center on mediation or enforcement patterns over guarantees. For fraud, California points to local district attorneys.

FAQ

How do I find my state Attorney General’s consumer complaint page?

Use directories like USA.gov/state-consumer or the NAAG list for direct links to your state's portal.

Do I need to check other agencies before filing with the AG?

Yes, many states recommend it--review Michigan's agency directory, California's referral table, or Washington's Help by Topic to confirm the AG is the right fit.

What information should I include in my complaint?

Provide details on who, what, when, where, and how, as Georgia outlines, along with supporting evidence within file limits.

Will the AG resolve my individual complaint or represent me?

No, AGs offer mediation or pattern-based action but do not compel resolutions or provide personal legal representation, per Washington and DC guidelines.

Can I attach files to my state AG complaint, and what are the limits?

Yes, where allowed--Texas permits 25MB total across 10 files, Georgia up to 3 files at 10MB total; check your state's specifics.

What if my issue involves fraud or a scam?

File with the AG for consumer patterns, but California advises reporting fraud or crimes to local district attorneys or city attorneys.

Next, visit your state's portal via USA.gov or NAAG, prepare your details, and submit promptly to start the process.