Compact with Texans

Compact with Texans

The State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) resolves disputes between State of Texas agencies, other governmental entities, and private citizens, either through an administrative hearing or mediation.

Agency Mission

The mission of SOAH is to serve as an independent, neutral forum for the State of Texas by providing a fair and efficient hearings process and the opportunity for alternative dispute resolution proceedings, in accordance with Chapter 2003 of the Texas Government Code.

Customer Service Principles

You have the right to expect from us:

  • Efficient and reliable service.
  • A fair, timely, and accessible administrative hearings process.
  • Reasoned decisions based on the law and the facts.
  • Courteous and professional treatment.
  • An opportunity to give feedback and suggestions for improvement.
  • Prompt responses to inquiries and complaints.
  • Adequate and accessible facilities.

Customer Comments and Inquiries

We welcome your comments and suggestions for improvements. If you have a general inquiry or comment about the services provided by SOAH, please contact SOAH's Chief Clerk's Office by United States Postal Mail or phone:

Mail:  SOAH Chief Clerk's Office
           State Office of Administrative Hearings
           P.O. Box 13025
           Austin, Texas 78711-3025

Phone: 512.475.4993

We will acknowledge all inquiries and comments in a professional, courteous, and timely manner.

Customer Service Survey

SOAH is required by law to conduct a customer service survey every year. The survey seeks to gather information from participants about their entire experience at SOAH based on their interactions with administrative and docketing staff all the way through the hearing and decision process.

SOAH is committed to making a good faith effort to reach as many eligible customers as possible to participate in the survey. For more information, including how to participate in the survey and past results, please visit our Customer Service Survey webpage.

Formal Complaint Process

If you wish to file a complaint related to your experience or interactions with SOAH, you must do so in accordance with SOAH's External Complaints Policy. You must complete a complaint form and provide information that clearly describes:

  • the nature of your complaint or area of your concern,
  • the facts or documents supporting your allegation(s),
  • the steps you have taken to resolve your complaint, and
  • a proposal for how your complaint could be resolved.

The complaints process is not an internal appeal procedure, and it cannot result in the overturning of an order or decision issued by an administrative law judge (ALJ).  This complaint process cannot be used in lieu of following the applicable law and rules to appeal a proposal for decision or final decision issued by an ALJ.

Complaints related to the actions of an ALJ in an administrative hearing will be reviewed only to determine whether the judge conducted the proceedings professionally and appropriately as required in the ALJ's role as a neutral and independent finder of fact. Complaints about an ALJ's rulings in, or on the merits of, cases will be investigated only as they may bear on the judge’s fitness to preside. 

Please reference the Code of Conduct for Administrative Law Judges that establishes standards of conduct for those who preside in proceedings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

You may submit your complaint online by completing the Formal Complaint Form.

If you do not want to submit your complaint online, you can download, print, and mail theFormal Complaint Form (PDF version) to:

Mail:  Hon. Kristofer Monson
          Chief Administrative Law Judge
          State Office of Administrative Hearings
          P.O. Box 13025
          Austin, Texas 78711-3025

All complaints will be reviewed for completeness.  Any complaint that fails to provide sufficient information to allow SOAH to fully and fairly evaluate the complaint, or that proposes to overturn an ALJ's order or decision, may not be opened for investigation and response.