The main providers of Home Office services to the public are as follows:

Passport Agency

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Prison Service (We have a separate section for the Police)

Equal Opportunities Commission

Disability Rights Commission

Each of these have their own complaints procedures (you can click on the links above to view them) which you can refer to. The broad procedures outlined below are valid for all of them. If your complaint regards general policy issues you are advised to express your views to the Minister or to your MP. If you want to air your views on policy why not use our Open Forum facility to post a message or opinion for others to see and respond to.

Local Resolution 1: You are advised to complain to the individual or department relevant to your complaint directly.

Local Resolution 2: Your next step is to contact the head of department or the complaints officer and refer your complaint to her/him.

Authorities: If you remain unhappy with your treatment by the Home Office then you can ask your local MP to refer your complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman for complaints against departments and agencies involved in English matters. For complaints against certain departments and agencies in Scotland, you can ask your SMP to refer your case to the Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. For complaints against certain departments and agencies in Wales, you can complain directly to the Welsh Administration Ombudsman. For complaints against departments and agencies in Northern Ireland, you can complain to the Northern Ireland Ombudsman via a MLA.

Court: Failing all else you can still go to court to resolve your dispute. Details of small claims court and other procedures are given in the Legal Section of this site. You can also contact the Community Legal Service (justask.org.uk) that gives access to free advice. Otherwise your local Citizens' Advice Bureau will give you advice and will sometimes organise free legal representation for you.