IRS & agencies
How do I file a notice of claim against a city, state or federal agency?
Updated · By the Certified Letter Online team
Before you can sue a government body for damages, you usually must first present a written claim to it within a short deadline. In California, claims for injury to a person or personal property must be presented within six months (Government Code 911.2); under the Federal Tort Claims Act, a written claim must be presented to the federal agency within two years, usually on Standard Form 95. Mailing the claim by Certified Mail with return receipt proves when it was presented.
Cities, counties and states publish their own claim forms and addresses, often on the clerk's or risk management page. Use the official form if there is one.
| Against | Deadline | How |
|---|---|---|
| California public entities (injury, personal property) | 6 months after the claim accrues | Entity's claim form, Gov. Code 910 and following |
| California public entities (other claims) | 1 year | Same |
| Federal agencies (FTCA) | 2 years to present the claim | Standard Form 95 to the agency |
| Other states and cities | Varies, often short | City clerk or risk management office |
Steps
- Find the right entity (city, county, state agency, federal agency) and its claim form.
- Fill it in with dates, place, what happened and the amount claimed; attach photos and bills.
- Send it Certified with return receipt to the address on the form, well before the deadline.
- Keep everything, and note the date the entity must respond under its rules.
Short deadlines
Government claim deadlines are much shorter than ordinary statutes of limitation. If you're close, talk to a lawyer now.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, a legal aid office or a licensed attorney in your state can tell you what applies.
Quick answers
Can I send a government claim by certified mail?
Yes, unless the entity requires another method. Certified with return receipt proves when it was presented.
Do I have to use the official form?
Many entities have one and some require it. The federal SF-95 is the standard form for FTCA claims.
What if I miss the deadline?
Some laws allow a late-claim application in limited cases. Get legal advice immediately.
What to do next
Upload your completed claim form and we'll mail it Certified with return receipt for $17.99, so the filing date is provable.
Mail my claimSources
- California Government Code 911.2 (claims against public entities)
- 28 U.S.C. 2401(b): Tort claims against the United States
- GSA: Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.