Use the Department of Education Building Address—But Send Your Question to the Right Federal Office
The Department of Education Building usually means the Lyndon Baines Johnson Building at 400 Maryland Avenue SW in Washington, DC. It is the Department’s principal headquarters building—not a local school office, walk-in student-loan counter or city construction-permit department.
This guide helps you decide whether you need Federal Student Aid, the Office for Civil Rights, the Inspector General, FERPA and student-privacy help, a federal-records request, the National Library of Education, a Department office, a state education agency or the physical building itself.
Start with the service router below before calling, mailing documents or traveling. Most problems are resolved faster through a topic-specific online portal or contact center than through the headquarters street address.
Choose What You Actually Need From the Department of Education
Department of Education Service Finder
Select the issue you need to solve. The result gives the most relevant official route and what to prepare.
Department of Education Building Address and Contact Numbers
Department of Education Building vs. a Local Building Department
If you need… |
Correct authority |
Why the LBJ Building is not the right counter |
|---|---|---|
Home renovation or construction permit |
City or county building department |
Local governments review private construction plans and conduct inspections. |
Zoning, setbacks, land use or variance |
Local planning or zoning office |
Land-use decisions are made under local ordinances. |
School repair or facility issue |
School district or facilities office |
Local school buildings are normally managed by the district or other owner. |
FAFSA or federal student loan |
Federal Student Aid |
FSA has account-specific systems and trained contact centers. |
Education discrimination |
Office for Civil Rights |
OCR evaluates federal civil-rights complaints involving education. |
ED program fraud or misuse of funds |
Office of Inspector General |
OIG operates the fraud, waste and abuse reporting channel. |
Federal Department records |
ED FOIA Service Center |
FOIA requests must identify existing federal records with reasonable specificity. |
Before Visiting the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building
Do not assume walk-in service is available
- Identify the exact office or contact person
- Confirm that an in-person visit is necessary
- Arrange an appointment or obtain visitor instructions
- Verify date, time, entrance and room information
- Ask what identification is required
- Confirm accessibility or accommodation needs
Prepare for a secure federal building
- Allow time for security screening
- Bring only requested documents
- Save the appointment confirmation
- Keep the office phone number available
- Do not carry prohibited items
- Check federal-holiday and closure information
How to Visit the National Library of Education Inside the Secure Building
Official visitor details
The National Library of Education welcomes members of the public to use its collection, but an appointment is required because the library is inside a secure building.
- Phone: 202-205-5015
- Email: askalibrarian@ed.gov
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, except federal holidays
- Address: 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202
Send a useful appointment request
- Your research topic
- Specific publication or collection
- Preferred appointment dates
- Contact phone and email
- Accessibility needs
- Whether remote help may solve the request
Send Your Question to the Correct Federal Education Office
Your issue |
Best official route |
Prepare before contacting |
Do not do this |
|---|---|---|---|
FAFSA form, grants or aid eligibility |
Federal Student Aid Contact Center |
FSA ID details, school, award year and error message |
Mail a general letter to the headquarters building first |
Loan payment, repayment plan or forgiveness |
StudentAid.gov and the assigned loan servicer |
Account, servicer, program and prior communication |
Send payment or private account records to the LBJ address without instructions |
Discrimination or retaliation in education |
Office for Civil Rights complaint system |
School, dates, protected basis, facts and supporting records |
Use the OIG fraud hotline for a civil-rights complaint |
Fraud involving ED funds or programs |
Office of Inspector General hotline |
Who, what, when, where, amount, program and evidence |
Report ordinary school disagreements as federal program fraud |
Student education records or FERPA |
Student Privacy Policy Office resources |
School, record request, dates and school response |
Assume ED can directly provide a local school’s records |
Existing Department records |
ED FOIA portal |
Specific record description, date range and office likely to hold it |
Ask FOIA to answer questions or create a new report |
Education statistics or research |
NLE, ERIC or the Institute of Education Sciences |
Research question, keywords and publication details |
Travel to the building before checking digital resources |
Federal program or grant office |
ED Offices directory |
Program name, assistance listing, award or application number |
Call Federal Student Aid for unrelated agency grants |
Local school or district dispute |
School, district and state education agency |
Local complaint steps, decisions and supporting records |
Assume every school matter starts at federal headquarters |
FAFSA, Student Loan and Repayment Help
Online starting point
Use StudentAid.gov to access the FAFSA form, account information, loan details, repayment tools and official program guidance.
Phone support
1-800-433-3243
1-800-4-FED-AID
The Department’s current contact page lists weekday and weekend contact-center hours. Check the official page before calling because hours can change.
Account-specific help
For repayment, billing and payment-history questions, identify the current loan servicer inside StudentAid.gov and use the servicer’s official contact route.
How to Prepare and File an Education Civil Rights Complaint
Confirm OCR is the correct route
OCR handles discrimination and retaliation complaints involving education programs or activities covered by the federal laws it enforces.
Create a clear factual timeline
List what happened, dates, people involved, the school or institution, prior reports and the response received.
File promptly
OCR states that complaints generally must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination. A complainant filing later should explain the delay and request a waiver.
Use the official complaint system
File electronically through the OCR Complaint Assessment System or follow the official PDF, email or mail instructions.
Save proof of submission
Keep the complaint copy, confirmation, attachments and any case or reference number. Use ocr@ed.gov or 1-800-421-3481 for official OCR contact guidance.
Report Fraud, Waste or Abuse Involving Department Programs
Use OIG for suspected program misuse
The Office of Inspector General hotline is the appropriate route for suspected fraud, waste or abuse involving Department of Education funds, programs, operations or employees.
Hotline: 1-800-647-8733 (1-800-MIS-USED)
Prepare a useful report
- People or organizations involved
- Program or funding source
- Dates and locations
- Estimated amount
- How the conduct occurred
- Documents or witnesses
Start a Student Education-Record or FERPA Issue Correctly
Understand who holds the records
The school or educational institution generally holds the student’s education records. Start by using the institution’s official record-access, amendment or complaint procedure.
FERPA rights generally transfer from the parent to the student when the student turns 18 or attends a postsecondary institution at any age.
Use the federal privacy portal
The Department’s Student Privacy portal explains FERPA rights, complaint information, training and resources for parents, students, schools and education agencies.
Your goal |
First action |
What to document |
|---|---|---|
Inspect education records |
Submit the school’s official records request |
Date, method, records requested and school response |
Correct inaccurate records |
Use the institution’s amendment procedure |
Exact disputed information and supporting evidence |
Question a disclosure |
Ask the school for the legal basis and disclosure information |
Recipient, date, record type and communication |
File a federal privacy complaint |
Review official eligibility, timing and submission instructions |
School process used, dates, facts and relevant records |
How to Request U.S. Department of Education Records Under FOIA
Search existing public material first
Review ED.gov and the Department’s FOIA Library before filing. The document may already be published.
Confirm ED holds the records
Federal FOIA does not provide records held by a state education agency, local school district, school or private organization. Contact the record-holding entity under the applicable law.
Describe existing records—not a question
Identify the office, subject, date range, record type, names or program. FOIA requires agencies to search for existing records; it does not require them to create a new explanation or analysis.
Use the secure online FOIA portal
The Department recommends its online portal for requests and appeals.
Save the request and tracking details
Keep the exact wording, submission confirmation, request number, communications and any fee or scope agreement.
Find the Office That Owns the Program or Policy Question
ED Offices directory
The official directory lists the Department’s principal offices and explains the programs and sub-offices they manage.
State contacts
Use the state and territory contact page when the issue belongs to a state education agency or requires a state-specific federal contact.
Regional offices
The Department maintains regional contacts representing its programs and interests. Use the current official directory rather than an old saved phone list.
When to Use 400 Maryland Avenue—and When Not to Mail There
Situation |
Use the headquarters address? |
Safer action |
|---|---|---|
Location or map reference |
Yes |
Use 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202. |
Mail requested by a named ED office |
Yes, with exact instructions |
Include the office, room, ZIP extension, case or program number exactly as provided. |
FAFSA or loan account documents |
Usually no |
Use StudentAid.gov, the official contact center or the address specifically provided for that process. |
OCR discrimination complaint |
Use OCR instructions |
Use the electronic complaint form or the current OCR filing directions. |
OIG fraud report |
Use OIG hotline |
Submit through the official OIG reporting channel. |
FOIA request |
Portal preferred |
Use the online FOIA portal or the current fax/mail instructions. |
Local student records |
No |
Request records from the school or institution that maintains them. |
Local building permit |
No |
Contact the city or county building department serving the property. |
What the Lyndon Baines Johnson Building Is
Department headquarters
The Department’s official location page identifies the LBJ Building at 400 Maryland Avenue SW as its main building and the location of the Secretary’s office.
Department operations also occupy other locations and regional offices, so a specific office may not provide public service from the LBJ Building.
Federal facility—not a private project counter
Major repair, consolidation and alteration work at the federal building is managed through federal real-estate and agency processes that may involve the General Services Administration.
Those federal projects are different from private residential or commercial permits issued by a local government.
Scripts for Calling, Emailing or Requesting an Appointment
“My question concerns [program or issue]. I have [case, award, complaint or account reference]. Which Department office and official contact channel should I use?”
“I would like research help with [topic or publication]. I am requesting an appointment on [preferred dates]. Please tell me whether the material is available online and what visitor instructions apply.”
“I need help with [FAFSA, repayment, forgiveness or account access]. The school or servicer is [name], the award year is [year], and the exact message or problem is [details].”
“The issue occurred at [institution] on [dates]. I believe it involved discrimination or retaliation based on [basis]. I have records showing [key facts and prior response].”
“I request existing records maintained by [ED office] concerning [specific subject] for the period [date range], including [identified record types].”
“My issue concerns [school or district]. I have completed [local steps]. Is there a state education agency or federal program office that handles this type of matter?”
Information to Gather Before Contacting a Federal Office
- Exact topic or federal program
- School, district or institution
- Relevant dates and timeline
- Case, complaint or request number
- Application, award or loan-servicer details
- Prior contacts and responses
- Specific action or information requested
- Documents supporting the issue
- Your preferred contact method
- Accessibility or language needs
- Deadline or urgent date
- A secure place to save confirmations
Department of Education Building Address and Map
Before traveling: Confirm the office, appointment, security instructions, entrance and accessibility arrangements.
Open the Correct U.S. Department of Education Resource
Department of Education Building FAQs
Where is the U.S. Department of Education Building located?
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building is located at 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202. It is the Department’s main headquarters building and the location identified for the Secretary’s office.
What is the Department of Education’s general phone number?
USA.gov lists 1-800-USA-LEARN, or 1-800-872-5327, as the Department’s toll-free number. Topic-specific services have different numbers, including 1-800-433-3243 for Federal Student Aid.
Can I visit the Department of Education Building without an appointment?
Do not assume walk-in public service is available. Identify the exact office and confirm appointment and security instructions before traveling. The National Library of Education explicitly welcomes public visitors by appointment because it is inside a secure building.
Can I go to the headquarters building for FAFSA or student-loan help?
Federal Student Aid questions should start at StudentAid.gov or by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID at 1-800-433-3243. The headquarters building is not presented as a walk-in student-loan service counter.
How do I file an education discrimination complaint?
Use the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights complaint page and electronic complaint system. OCR says complaints generally must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination, subject to its waiver process.
Where do I report fraud involving Department of Education funds?
Use the Office of Inspector General hotline portal or call 1-800-MIS-USED at 1-800-647-8733. Include specific people, organizations, dates, programs, amounts and supporting evidence when available.
How do I get help with FERPA or student education records?
Start with the school or institution that maintains the records, then use the Department’s Student Privacy portal for FERPA rights, complaint information and official resources. The federal headquarters normally does not hold a local school’s student files.
How do I request U.S. Department of Education records?
Search ED.gov and the FOIA Library first. When records are not already public, submit a specific request through the Department’s online FOIA portal or follow its current fax and mail instructions.
Can the public use the National Library of Education?
Yes. The National Library welcomes public researchers by appointment. Contact askalibrarian@ed.gov or 202-205-5015. The published hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except federal holidays.
Is the Department of Education Building a local construction-permit office?
No. The LBJ Building is a federal Department of Education office building. Construction permits, zoning approvals and inspections for homes and businesses are handled by the local city or county authority serving the property.
Source, Accuracy and Update Notes
Building-Department.org is an independent informational website and is not the U.S. Department of Education. Federal student aid, complaints, records requests, appointments and official correspondence must use the correct .gov portal or Department office.
This page was researched from current U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Office for Civil Rights, Office of Inspector General, Institute of Education Sciences and USA.gov resources and refreshed on July 21, 2026.
Phone hours, office contacts, forms, filing rules, visitor procedures and federal building access can change. Confirm current instructions before sending sensitive documents or traveling.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
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