To access any of the services below, click the respective link or contact us.

• Attend an upcoming event
• Consult on-site patent and trademark experts
• Pick up free publications
• Request a speaker at your event
• Conduct an interview (select "Public Interview Room," then "Alexandria")
• Tour the office
• Attend a Patent Trial and Appeal Board hearing. Visit the Hearing Schedule page for information on upcoming hearings

Trying to file a patent or trademark application? The regional offices are unable to accept patent or trademark applications or related correspondence. Please consider using our online filing options: EFS-Web for patents or TEAS for trademarks. More about filing trademark applications. More about filing patent applications.

If you have questions regarding patents, trademarks or intellectual property in general, we offer the ability for you to come in and speak to a specialist. Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

• The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent assistance and information to the public. 
• For trademark specific questions, we can arrange a virtual consultation in our office with the Trademark Assistance Center (TAC). 

Patent Trial and Appeal Board

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) conducts trials, including inter partes, post-grant, and covered business method patent reviews and derivation proceedings, hears appeals from adverse examiner decisions in patent applications and reexamination proceedings, and renders decisions in interferences.

Until further notice, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board will not be holding live in-person hearings. The Board will contact individual parties about arranging for telephonic or audiovisual hearings during this time period.

PTAB homepage

Our Public Search Facility provides public access to patent and trademark information in a variety of formats including online, microfilm, and print. Trained staff are available to assist public users. 

Please be aware that you will not be able to connect a removable media device—such as a thumb drive or your personal phone—to our USPTO computers for the purpose of downloading your search results. Please see the USPTO removable media policy for more information.

If you are not located near our headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, you can visit one of our Patent and Trademark Resource Centers. DPL librarians are trained by the USPTO to provide an introduction to the patent and trademark application process.The USPTO collections can also be searched online using PatFT/AppFT for patents and TESS for trademarks. We have locations in all 50 states.

We have a number of collaboration spaces that are intended for public use. These rooms may be configured to suit events of all sizes and are equipped with whiteboards, easels, telephones, and A/V equipment. Typical uses include inventor organization meetings, business councils, and networking events. Please contact us for more information and to reserve a space.

Andrei Iancu is the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO. Director Iancu provides leadership and oversight to one of the largest intellectual property offices in the world, with more than 12,000 employees and an annual budget of over $3 billion. He also serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Commerce on domestic and international intellectual property policy matters.

Laura Peter is the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO. Deputy Director Peter supports Director Iancu in executing the USPTO’s mission and core functions. 

Director Iancu is supported by an executive committee, comprised of business unit heads and advisors that support the USPTO’s mission as America’s innovation agency.

• Map of our Alexandria, Virginia, campus
• Transportation and parking details
• USPTO removable media policy
• Accessibility and reasonable accommodations at the USPTO
• Rules and regulations for non-USPTO personnel visiting USPTO buildings