AO 246B

Order for a Presentence Investigation and Report

Agency
U.S. Courts
Revision
Rev. 01/09
Fillable fields
14
Pages
1
Official source
U.S. Courts form page
Checked
October 20, 2026
Fill AO 246B online
Page 1 of form AO 246B

AO 246B: Order for a Presentence Investigation and Report

AO 246B, Order for a Presentence Investigation and Report, is a one-page order of a United States District Court. It recites that the defendant has been found guilty of one or more offenses against the United States and orders the probation office to conduct an investigation and prepare a standard or modified report to be used by the court in sentencing.

The order sets out when the report goes to the defendant's attorney and the government's attorney, when written objections are filed, and when the final report and an addendum go to the court, unless the order sets different times. It also records the sentencing date and the notice period for an attorney who wishes to attend the presentence interview. The U.S. Courts lists it under Presentence and Probation Forms. The page says it is effective on January 1, 2009, and the edition printed on the form is Rev. 01/09.

It is a court order the judge signs. This page explains the form in plain words and is not legal advice. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.

Top of page 1 of AO 246B: Order for a Presentence Investigation and Report, as printed by COURTS

What's on AO 246B

Caption

The United States District Court and district, United States of America v. the defendant, and the case number.

Type of report

The order to conduct an investigation, with a check one choice between a standard report and a modified report, to be used by the court in sentencing.

Disclosure and objections

Unless different times are set out, the report goes to both attorneys at least 35 days before sentencing, and within 14 days after receiving it the parties file written objections with the probation office and copy all other parties.

Final report and addendum

At least 7 days before sentencing, the probation officer submits the final presentence report and an addendum setting out any unresolved objections, each side's position and the officer's comments.

Modified times and sentencing date

Space for time intervals modified by the court (blank if unmodified), and a check one choice that the sentencing date is set for a date or will be set at a later date.

Interview notice and signature

A blank for the number of days within which a defendant's attorney who wishes to attend the presentence interview notifies the probation office, then the judge's signature.

How AO 246B is filled out

  1. 1

    Fill in the caption

    Enter the district, the defendant's name and the case number.

  2. 2

    Choose the report type

    Check one box: standard report or modified report.

  3. 3

    Set out any modified times

    The order says the time intervals space is left blank if they are unmodified.

  4. 4

    Mark the sentencing date

    Check one box: the sentencing date is set for a date entered on the line, or will be set at a later date.

  5. 5

    Enter the interview notice period

    Fill in the number of days within which a defendant's attorney who wishes to be present at the presentence interview notifies the probation office.

  6. 6

    Sign and date

    The judge dates and signs the order and adds a printed name and title.

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Times and fees on the form

Copy of the report

Unless different times are set out in the order, the probation office gives the defendant's attorney and the government's attorney a copy of the report at least 35 days before sentencing.

Objections

Within 14 days after receiving the report, the parties file any written objections with the probation office and provide a copy to all other parties. The probation officer may then meet with the parties and may conduct a further investigation.

Final report

At least 7 days before sentencing, the probation officer submits to the court and the parties the final presentence report and an addendum.

Fees

The form does not print a fee. It is a court order the judge signs.

Related forms

Who completes AO 246B?

  • The judge

    The order ends with the date, the judge's signature and the judge's printed name and title.

  • The probation office

    The order directs the probation office to conduct the investigation and prepare the report. The probation officer may meet with the parties about objections and submits the final report with an addendum.

  • The defendant's attorney

    The attorney receives a copy of the report and may file written objections. An attorney who wishes to be present during the presentence interview notifies the probation office within the days the order sets.

  • The government's attorney

    The government's attorney also receives a copy of the report, and the parties file any written objections with the probation office.

  • The defendant

    The caption names the defendant in a case titled United States of America v. the defendant. The form has no signature line for the defendant.

The court completes and signs the order. These are the people and offices it names.

Official sources and the blank

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Questions about Form AO 246B

Who fills out AO 246B?

The court. The judge signs and dates the order directing the probation office to conduct a presentence investigation and prepare a report. The form has no signature line for the defendant.

What is the difference between a standard and a modified report?

The order has a check one choice between a standard report and a modified report. The form does not explain the difference.

When do the attorneys get the report?

The order says the probation office gives the defendant's attorney and the government's attorney a copy at least 35 days before sentencing, unless different times are set out in the order.

How are objections to the report made?

The order says that within 14 days after receiving the report, the parties file any written objections with the probation office and provide a copy to all other parties.

What goes to the court before sentencing?

At least 7 days before sentencing, the probation officer submits the final presentence report and an addendum setting out any unresolved objections, each side's position and the probation officer's comments.

Can the defendant's attorney attend the presentence interview?

The order says a defendant's attorney who wishes to be present during the presentence interview notifies the probation office within the number of days filled in on the order.