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How to File an Appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (aka Circuit Court) is the the appeals court for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

To file an appeal pro se, submit the following to District Court:

The District Court Clerk will process and transmit your appeal and relevant order(s) to the Circuit Court. Once you receive a case number for your appeal, you must file all further documents pertaining to the appeal directly in the Circuit Court.

Please note the following: 

  • If you were granted IFP status when you filed your complaint and are not an incarcerated individual, you do not need to submit another Application to Proceed in District Court Without Prepayment of Fees or Costs with your appeal.
  • The Circuit Court does not accept emailed filings, nor can the District Court forward emails to the Circuit Court; all documents must be submitted in paper.
  • It is imperative that your documents are correctly addressed and captioned to the correct court to ensure timely processing. 
  • The address for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is: 

                       U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit
                       5th Floor
                       333 Constitution Ave., NW
                       Washington, DC 20001

  • The District Court does not process or transmit petitions for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court. Petitions must be submitted directly to the Supreme Court in accordance with their rules and filing requirements.