New employee information and forms

This webpage links to current USPTO forms that comply with Section 508. While expiration dates on the forms are required, they do not indicate a date beyond which the forms are invalid.

To view and use the forms you must install Adobe Acrobat reader on your computer. Acrobat 5.0 (minimum) is required to access and complete all fillable forms.

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General forms

Employment eligibility verification (I-9)
- I-9 instructions
- List of acceptable I-9 documents
- Notes:
  - Please refer to the List of acceptable I-9 documents to review which documents are acceptable.
  - Only section 1 should be completed.
  - Section 2 will be completed after the form is received by the program manager.
  - Please provide two copied forms of identification (one from list B and one from list C) for I-9 verification. Of note, you will only need ONE if you are using a U.S. Passport.
Applicant's statement of selective service registration status
Ethnicity and race identification instructions
- Please indicate (M) for male or (F) for female in the top right corner of the ethnicity and race identification form.
Statement of prior federal service
- Completion of this form is mandatory.
- You must complete this form in its entirety even if your prior federal service is listed on your resume.
Self-identification of disability
Direct deposit sign-up form with instructions
- Bank verification is optional.
- Routing number and account information MUST be included and accurate.
- Please be sure to insert your Social Security number as instructed.
- If you have allotments, you will need to fill out an additional form per allotment.
Employee address
Ethics requirements
- Notice to prospective new employees
- Notice to new supervisors
Statement of Employee Relative to Interest, Activities and Obligation
Personnel Source Document
Record of Employee's Address and Emergency Information
New Patent Examiner Temporary Telework Agreement

New Employee Orientation (NEO) reference information

Employee Personal Page (EPP)
- User ID/Password Quick Reference Guide
- Forgot your User ID? Click here.
Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP)
E-Verify
HRConnect
- Employee Self-Service (MyInfo)
- FAQs
New employees Time and Attendance information (WebTA)
Pay calendars
- (NOTE: Please scroll down to select the current years pay calendar)
Give the gift of time: OHR's Voluntary Leave Bank program

Failure to review pay stubs

Did you know that failure to review your bi-weekly pay stubs can lead to costly repayments?

The comptroller general has issued rulings in the past that reflect the importance of reviewing your Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) for accuracy of pay and deductions.

In the first ruling, the comptroller general refused to waive an employee's liability for repaying more than $4,000 in health insurance premiums that the employing agency had erroneously neglected to deduct from the employee's pay.

The decision stated, "Where there is a present or prospective ability by an employee to pay a debt that is not waived, such as continued employment, recovery of the entire debt is to be pursued."

In the second case, the comptroller general refused to grant a waiver to an employee who discovered an administrative error that led to a new pay increase of $47 per pay period.

According to the decision, "Failure to note a significant unexplained increase in salary and promptly question appropriate officials about the amount renders the employee partially at fault, precluding the waiver."

Therefore, it is extremely important that you review your LES each biweekly pay period and report any discrepancies to the Office of Human Resources - Payroll Branch.

[Reference: Lynn Granados Compensation Section, Code 1851]

Tax forms

Federal tax forms

Federal W-4

State and local tax information

Moving to a different state and teleworking requires close attention to state tax withholdings. Don’t wait until next tax season to confirm that your taxes are correct. Keep in mind the following:

The National Finance Center (NFC) payroll system will only allow state tax deductions for either the state of your official duty station or the state of your residence.
The duty station is the driver for state tax withholding exemptions. If your duty station changes, withholdings for state taxes should reflect that state.
State tax withholdings do not automatically change to a new state when employees update their address. Employees should submit a new state tax form to adjust the state designation and withholdings they wish to claim, if subject to state taxes.
If you reside in a state that is subject to county and/or city taxes, those withholdings will be deducted automatically based upon your residence address or official duty station. If you choose to opt out of paying local taxes, where applicable, please contact the Office of Human Resources (OHR) to submit a request or election for a waiver of local tax withholdings. If you do not have local taxes withheld, but have a local tax liability, you must work directly with the city/county to make arrangements for payment.
OHR representatives are not tax experts and cannot advise on state or local tax liability. Employees are encouraged to review their leave and earnings statements biweekly and alert OHR of any issues related to tax withholdings.

For questions regarding updating tax information and tax forms, contact the Compensation and Benefits Division at 571-272-6209.

State and city tax forms

Below are the most commonly requested tax forms. If you do not see your state's tax assessment form, please contact your state's government website for your individual state tax forms.

Certificate of non-residence forms

Benefits forms

Before you proceed with your benefits forms, please take a moment to read our work/life balance information for important information about available benefits options.

Below are the benefits forms that you will need to fill out prior to orientation.

If you have any questions regarding any of these forms, please contact your HR Specialist.

Additional forms for attorneys and patent agents only

Request for withdrawal as Attorney or Agent

Do you know the USPTO Rules of the Road? Get them here.

"Rules of the Road" policy

Technical assistance

OCIO Help Desk: 571-272-9000

FOBs: 571-272-9000

Learning Center

Training modules will be accessible through the Learning Center. The Learning Center is a fully integrated training and development system that features online training. The system allows users to monitor their training, register for and take online courses, and print their training transcripts.

Reasonable accommodations

The USPTO will provide reasonable accommodations to employees who are qualified individuals with disabilities. Decisions on reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Inside USPTO headquarters and regional offices

The USPTO operates a headquarters and Eastern Regional Outreach Office in Alexandria, Virginia, and four additional regional offices across the nation. Combined, these provide inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses a USPTO presence in every U.S. time zone. Click the links below to learn about each of our five locations:

Alexandria, VA (USPTO headquarters, including East Coast outreach office)

Dallas (Texas Regional Office)

Texas Regional Office (TXRO)

Denver (Rocky Mountain Regional Office)

Rocky Mountain Regional Office (RMRO)

Detroit (Elijah McCoy Midwest Regional Office)

Elijah J. McCoy Midwest Regional Office (MWRO)

San Jose (Silicon Valley Regional Office)

Silicon Valley USPTO (West Coast regional office)

Building access (regional offices)

Dallas

For your first day at the Dallas office, you will need to show a government-issued picture ID to go through visitor security screening, which include walking through a magnetometer. Upon admittance, you’ll proceed to the 1st floor conference room.

Denver

On your first day of work, report to the 1st floor desk upon entry; your name will be on a building access list. You will receive a temporary visitor's pass for the day and go to the 14th floor conference room for orientation.

Detroit

From the garage, proceed between the buildings to 300 River Place, continue to the right of the clock tower and walk up two sets of steps to the court entrance doors. To get to the Security Desk, which is in the central part of the building near the suite elevators, follow the hallway from the court entry doors, past the Snake Bites Café and the Golden Razor Barber Shop; turn right at the next break in the hallway (across from the ATM machine) where you will sign in with your name and the suite number (2900). The guard will direct you to the elevators. Our suite is immediately adjacent to the elevator lobby on the 2nd floor. The doors to the suite will be locked, so please knock or ring the doorbell for admittance.

San Jose

On your first day of work, report to the 1st floor reception desk upon entry; your name will be on a building access list. You will receive a temporary visitor’s pass for the day and be directed to a designated conference room for orientation.

Badging

Alexandria

You will be issued a plain USPTO badge on your first day of work which will give you access to USPTO’s suite entrances. Later that day, you will have your picture taken and another badge will be presented to you later in the first week.

Dallas

The first day, a temporary badge will be issued so you can get into the USPTO space. A permanent badge will be issued within the first two weeks. You will also be provided with information on how to obtain a building badge allowing access to the building perimeter and elevators outside of security operating hours.

Denver

For your first few days at the Denver office, you will need to government-issued ID to the building guards for admittance. You’ll then proceed to the receptionist on the 14th floor.

On your second day of work, you will be issued a USPTO ID badge which will give you access to USPTO space on the 14th and 15th floors. You will also be provided with information on how to obtain a building keycard to allow you to access the building perimeter outside of security operating hours. Ultimately, you will receive a badge that will allow you access to both the building and to the USPTO space.

Detroit

San Jose

Within your first week of work, you will be issued a USPTO ID badge which will give you access to most USPTO-secured space within the building. Certain areas (e.g., MDF room) will require additional authorization to access. Also note:

1. Until you are issued your permanent USPTO ID badge, you will be issued a USPTO temporary badge to allow entry to USPTO spaces on floors 1, 2, and 3.

2. Employees without a USPTO temporary or permanent badge will not be able to access USPTO secured space outside of USPTO protective security officer hours.

3. Employees who lose their USPTO badge must immediately inform the Regional Manager and the USPTO Office of Security. The Regional Manager or Protective Security Officer will provide a temporary USPTO badge to access the USPTO space.

Parking

Alexandria

Parking is available in the East and West garages on a daily basis. To park in the East Garage, enter at 551 John Carlyle Street. For the West Garage, enter at 550 Elizabeth Lane. The cost of parking for the entire day is $10. You may validate your parking ticket with the security personnel for a discounted rate.

Dallas

The parking garages listed below are located near the Terminal Annex and provide both monthly parking and daily parking. Also visit www.dallas.bestparking.com for the latest garage location listings, parking availability, and rates.

• Ace Parking – H Lot; 525 S. Houston Street; 214-748-5535; $55 per month

• Ace Parking – Union Station; 300 Reunion Boulevard; 214-761-6400; $65 per month

• Star Parking; 501 N. Houston Street; 214-871-2283; $60 per month

• LAZ Parking; 1015 Elm Street; 214-747-7675; $85 per month

Denver

While parking is not available in the Byron G. Rogers Federal Building for USPTO employees or visitors, there are a number of parking garages located within a few blocks of the building which are listed below. Employees are responsible for obtaining parking as needed. Metered parking is also available on the side of the building for $1 per hour with a 2-hour maximum.

Nearby daily and monthly parking:
Ambassador Parking Management offers surface parking at the corner of 20th Street and Champa Street; $8 per day, $120 per month; telephone: 303-972-4510.

Century Link Building at 1890 Stout Street offers garage parking at $14 per day (early bird rate is $8 per day - in by 9 a.m., out by 7 p.m., first-come, first-served); $180 per month with one-time $25 activation fee; telephone: 303-292-6126.

24-Hour Public Parking offers surface parking at the corner of 20th Street and Stout Street directly across from the Byron G. Rogers Federal Building; $8 per day, no monthly parking.

Detroit

Parking is free for all USPTO employees and contractors. Until the building has issued you a badge and decal, please give the guard your name and you will be admitted for free parking.

San Jose

There are a number of parking garages located within a few blocks of San Jose City Hall that USPTO employees, contractors, and visitors can use.
Note: street parking on all sides of San Jose City Hall is prohibited.

• Fourth Street Garage; 44 S. Fourth Street; 408-279-8782;
Monthly: $100 (non-resident); Daily max: $20

• Second & San Carlos Street Garage; 280 S. Second St.;
408-298-8852; Monthly: $100 (non-resident); Daily max: $20

• Third Street Garage; 95 N. Third Street; 408-794-1090;
Monthly: $100 (non-resident); Daily max: $20

• Third & Santa Clara Street Garage; 25 S. Third Street;
408-314-8249; Monthly: $110 (non-resident); Daily max: $20.

Public transportation

Alexandria

The Metro is accessible. The King Street or Eisenhower Avenue stations are the two stations within walking distance to the complex. However, the King Street station is the closest to the Madison Building.

If traveling by the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), you will get off at the Alexandria station.

Towing is enforced in designated areas. If you have any questions, please call 571-272-4109.

Denver

Go where you want to go in Denver and the surrounding area with Regional Transport District (RTD), the area’s mass transit system featuring more than 140 local, express, and regional bus routes servicing over 10,000 bus stops; six light rail systems with 35 miles of light rail service, and more than 70 park-and-ride areas. Visit RTD at www.rtd-denver.com or call 303-299-6000.

Detroit

Detroit Public Transportation

Dallas

The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Light Rail and Bus Station are located across the street from the Terminal Annex Federal Building. DART provides public transit services to Dallas and 12 surrounding cities. Fort Worth Trinity Railway Express (TRE) Station is also across from the Terminal Annex. TRE links downtown Fort Worth, downtown Dallas and DFW Airport.

San Jose

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses and light rail make traveling in San Jose and surrounding cities easy. A VTA station is located just two blocks west of City Hall (Santa Clara Station) and there is a public bus stop at City Hall Plaza. A VTA Light Rail map is included in your Welcome Kit, or you can go to www.vta.org for complete routes, schedules, and fares.

Direct access is available from San Francisco via CalTrain. From San Francisco, take the CalTrain headed south to San Jose Diridon Station. Take the free DASH shuttle bus line number 201 to the S. 4th Street and San Fernando Street stop. The San Jose office is one block away at the corner of Santa Clara Street and S. 4th Street.

Transit subsidy

Key requirements to apply for transit subsidy benefits:

Use your federal email address to create a User Account and register.
Complete the Transit Benefit Program Application.
- Complete the Transit Benefit Program Expense Worksheet.

For information regarding transit subsidy benefits at USPTO, email the transitsubsidycoordinator@uspto.gov or call 571-270-5578. You can also refer to the handouts provided during your orientation day.

Additional information can be found at:

Operating status

In the event of severe weather or an emergency, contact your supervisor to learn the operating status.

Restrictions on employee interests in pending patent applications:

USPTO employees are subject to restrictions on applying for patents and owning any interest in a pending patent application.

Section 4 of 35 U.S.C. states: Officers and employees of the Patent and Trademark Office shall be incapable, during the period of their appointments and for one year thereafter, of applying for a patent and of acquiring, directly or indirectly, except by inheritance or bequest, any patent or any right or interest in any patent, issued or to be issued by the Office. In patents applied for thereafter they shall not be entitled to any priority date earlier than one year after the termination of their appointment.

Therefore, while employed by the USPTO and for one year thereafter, you cannot apply for a patent before the USPTO or own an interest in a patent application pending before the USPTO. If you have any such interest, to comply with Section 4 you would need to assign that interest to a third party or abandon the application prior to employment with the USPTO. The Agency cannot provide legal guidance as to how to assign this interest, and recommends consulting with an attorney if necessary.

Please note that Section 4 does not restrict USPTO employees from owning an interest in a patent issued prior to becoming a USPTO employee.

You may remain listed as an inventor on a patent application, though you may not review the patent for which you are listed as an inventor. However, an employee of the USPTO who is an inventor is not permitted to sign an oath or declaration for a patent application during his or her period of employment with the USPTO and for one year after leaving.