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| Patents > PAIR > FAQ > User Certificate REGISTERING FOR AN Entrust/DirectUSER CERTIFICATE
Q. Who issues User (Entrust/Direct) Certificates and how are they used?A. User Certificates are issued by the USPTO Certification Authority. The USPTO Certification Authority (CA) issues digital certificates that bind identity and other information to an electronic key used to encrypt and sign digital information. By issuing a certificate, the CA confirms the accuracy of the certificate information. The user's certificate is unique. No other certificate, from whatever source, may be used as a substitute. The user's unique certificate provides the means to identify and authenticate a USPTO customer. Additionally, it provides the means to set up, and conduct, fully encrypted sessions between the user and USPTO on confidential patent application matters.Q. How do I register for PAIR?A. Go to https://www.uspto.gov/ebc/registration_pair.html. . Follow the steps 1-5. You must get a customer number first, obtain a PKI certificate then use the Customer Number Upload spreadsheet to associate pending applications and patents with the customer number. Once the PKI certificate codes are received, download the software.Q. What is a PKI Certificate?A. Public Key Infrastructure digital certificate. Provides the customer secure access to patent applications and related data. Provides confidentiality, access control, integrity, authenticity and non-repudiation of data. The USPTO serves as the Certificate Authority and issues the digital certificates to our customers. It is required to use Private PAIR and EFS .Q. How do I get my PKI Certificate?A. Go to https://www.uspto.gov/ebc/registration_pair.htmland read the Subscriber’s Agreement, then download and complete the Certificate Action Form. Have the Certificate Action Form notarized and mail the original to the Patent EBC at USPTO, Mail Stop EBC, P. O. Box 1450 , Alexandria , VA 22313.Q. Do I have to have my Certificate Action Form notarized?A. Yes!Q. How long does it take to get the PKI Certificate?A. About 2 weeks from the day it is received at the Patent EBC.Q. Is there an expiration date on my PKI Certificate codes?A. Yes! The reference number and authorization codes will expire 60 days from the date they are issued. You must download and install the USPTO Direct software during this 60 day period. Contact the Patent EBC at (toll free) 1-866-217-9197 if assistance is needed in setting up your profile.Q. Does each attorney need to apply for his or her own PKI Certificate?A. Yes! Each attorney should have his or her own digital certificate.Q. Can a paralegal get a PKI Certificate?A. No. Only registered attorney/agents and Independent Inventors can apply for a PKI Certificate.Q. Can I take my PKI Certificate with me to another firm?A. Yes. However, you must change the customer number that you are associated with. If your new firm does not already have a Customer Number, they must get one in order for you to use the PKI certificate. The firm that you are moving FROM, must fill out a Customer Number Data Change form removing your registration number from their Customer Number, and the firm that you are moving TO must also fill out a Customer Number Data Change form, adding your registration number to their Customer Number .Q. I only received one of my codes, what do I do?A. Contact the Patent EBC (toll free) 1-866-217-9197 and we will have the missing code reissued to you.Q. When I try to create my profile, I get an error message stating that my codes are expired, what do I do?A. Contact the Patent EBC (toll free) 1-866-217-9197 and we will have a new set of codes issued to you.Q. I forgot my password; can I get a new one?A. No. The security office must recover the certificate and issue a new set of codes. Contact the Patent EBC (toll free) 1-866-217-9197and we will assist you in having a new set of codes issued to you.Q. I tried to create another profile with my PKI codes but I got a message stating that they were corrupted, what do I do?A. You can only use the PKI codes one time to create a profile. Once that profile is successfully created, the codes cannot be used again. If the profile is corrupted, the security office must recover the certificate and issue a new set of codes. Contact the Patent EBC (toll free) 1-866-217-9197 and we will have a new set of codes issued to you. |