Contact Patents

Office

Contact information

When to contact

USPTO Customer Support Centers  
For general patent information, Inventors Assistance Center, mailing addresses, Internet addresses, and contact information for other USPTO services.
Toll-Free: 800-786-9199 
Local: 571-272-1000 
TTY: 800-877-8339
  • General filing
Patent Electronic Business Center 
Customer support for electronic filing and PAIR access. Customer Numbers and digital (PKI) certificate issuance and maintenance
Toll-Free: 866-217-9197
Local: 571-272-4100
ebc@uspto.gov 
  • Before filing
Scientific and Technical Information Center 
Offers scientific and technical books and periodicals to the public with an extensive collection of foreign patents. Open to the public by appointment only.
Local: 571-272-2520
          571-272-3547 
  • Before filing
Sequence Help Desk 
Assists with questions regarding compliance with 37 CFR 1.821-1.825 (sequence rules) or use of PatentIn or Checker software programs.
Local: 571-272-2510
SequenceHelpDesk@uspto.gov 
  • Before filing
  • During examination
Public Search Facility 
Provides public access to patent and trademark information in a variety of formats including on-line, microfilm, and print.  Trained staff are available to assist public users.
Local: 571-272-3275
  • Before filing
International Patent Legal Administration (PCT Help Desk)
Assistance with applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
Local: 571-272-4300
  • Before filing
  • During examination
Office of Patent Legal Administration 
Rule changes, PG Pubs, Patent Term Adjustment & Extension.
Local: 
General: 571-272-7701
PTA: 571-272-7702
Reexamination: 571-272-7703
AIA and special projects: 
571-272-7704               
  • Before filing
  • During Examination
Office of Petitions 
Reviews and decides petitions, requests, and related inquiries, regarding the filing of patent applications
 Local: 571-272-3282
  • Before filing
  • During examination
Inventor’s Assistance Center
Provides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former Supervisory Patent Examiners and experienced Primary Examiners who answer general questions concerning patent examining policy and procedures.
Toll-Free: 800-786-9199
Local: 571-272-1000
​TTY: 800-877-8339
  • Before filing
  • During examination
  • After grant
America Invents Act Contact Center 
For questions regarding the America Invents Act, including the new legal provisions and rules
Toll-Free: 855-HELP-AIA
                855-435-7242
Local: 571-272-0300
HELPAIA@uspto.gov 
  • Before filing
  • During examination
Application Assistance Unit 
Status inquiries regarding newly filed and allowed patent applications; and questions about Pre-Grant Publication or 18-month Publication
Toll-Free: 888-786-0101
Local: 571-272-4200
          571-272-4000
HelpAAU@uspto.gov
  • Before filing
  • Pre examination
  • Post examination
Assignments Recordation Branch 
For help with following a new assignment or obtaining information on a pending assignment, questions on assignments, liens on patents, filing assignments, recordation forms, and trademark assignments
Local: 571-272-3350
AssignmentCenter@uspto.gov 
  • During examination
  • After grant
Office of Stakeholder Outreach and Patents Ombudsman
When there is a breakdown in the normal application process, including before and after prosecution, the Office of Stakeholder Outreach and Patents Ombudsman can assist in getting the application back on track
Toll-Free: 855-559-8589
Local: 571-272-5555 
Hours of operation:
M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
Contact Form: Ombudsman 
  • Before filing
  • Pre examination
  • Post examination
Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch 
Copies of official U.S. Patent and U.S. Trademark documents are available for sale
Toll-Free: 800-972-6382
Local: 571-272-3150
Fax: 571-273-3250
dsd@uspto.gov 
  • Administration of patent or trademark
Receipts Accounting Division (RAD)
For information on fee payments, including maintenance fees, deposit accounts, and refunds
Local: 571-272-6500 
  • Administration of patent or trademark
Central Fax  
For transmitting by facsimile patent related correspondence. Please see 37 CFR 1.6(d) for an identification of correspondence that the USPTO does not permit to be transmitted
Fax: 571-273-8300
  • Administration of patent or trademark
USPTO Contact
Phone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information for USPTO offices and business centers
USPTO Contacts
  • General, patent and trademark information

Patents Webmaster feedback
For questions or comments concerning the USPTO Patents web pages, your feedback is welcome


 

Email Webmaster
  • Patents web pages design feedback