Frequently asked questions about Certified Copy Center

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Certified Copy Center - Help - Customer service

The Certified Copy Center uses the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) single sign-on (SSO) system, the USPTO.gov account, for secure authentication. USPTO.gov accounts are based on email address, and each account uses the email address as the account name or user ID.

USPTO.gov accounts can be created and managed through the MyUSPTO homepage (http://my.uspto.gov/). The MyUSPTO page allows users to create accounts, change passwords, enable two-step authentication, and record personal information, including alternate email addresses and telephone numbers.

Multifactor authentication is a process that provides an extra layer of security to an account. USPTO.gov accounts can be secured with a two-step authentication. When the two-step authentication is enabled, the user will be presented with a challenge to enter a temporary authentication code after providing a username and password. The user can select delivery of the temporary authentication code either by email, mobile code generator app, or a phone call.

When signing in with the two-step authentication, the user can select a checkbox to indicate that the device being used is a trusted device for that account. If the user selects that the device is trusted, the user will not be presented with a two-step challenge for the next 24 hours. 

The default method to receive the authentication code is email but configuring two or more methods is strongly recommended.  Additional methods include getting a phone call or text message, using a code generator, or the Okta Verify app. 

The My orders page gives you the latest updates on all your orders and submitted entitlement verification requests. If you still have questions, contact customer service with your order number or entitlement verification request number.

Customer service is available toll free at 800-972-6382 (Local 571-272-3150), Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, except on federal holidays.

Certified Copy Center - Help - Contact information

Customer service for the Certified Copy Center is available Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, except on federal holidays.

  • Toll free: 800-972-6382
  • Local number: 571-272-3150

We can also be reached by email at dsd@uspto.gov. We respond to emails within 24 hours.

Visit our Customer service page for information on the Certified Copy Center.

Certified Copy Center - Help - Issues

You can view and download a copy of your order confirmation or entitlement verification request confirmation by going to your My orders page. You’ll also receive a copy of the confirmation when your order or request is submitted to the USPTO.

Yes, when the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) is unable to get a copy of the requested document, your order will be canceled and we will submit a request so that you can be refunded the cost of the item back to the original method of payment. Refunds can take up to four weeks to complete processing. To get more information on refund policies, visit the Office of Finance.

You must contact customer service to cancel an order; however, we are not able to issue refunds on submitted orders since all orders are custom requests. We only issue refunds when we are unable to supply the requested copies.

The Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) strives to make sure every order is fulfilled correctly, but at times something happens that may require a public correction. To ensure that you get the correct documents, you can email or fax a copy of the document in question with a detailed description of the error. Customer service will research the issue and determine if there is an error. If so, a new, corrected document will be sent to you. All returns have priority and are reviewed as soon as possible. The turnaround for public corrections is 48 hours.

Certified Copy Center - Help - Feedback

The Certified Copy Center has a forum community for our users. You can make suggestions, view comments, and vote on suggestions submitted by other users. Access the forum by going to the Certified Copy Center help menu and select Share feedback.

Certified Copy Center - Help - Release notes

Yes, details on each new release of the Certified Copy Center can be found under the Certified Copy Center help menu. Select Release notes to get the latest details and notes on all releases.

Certified Copy Center - Introduction - General

You can create an USPTO.gov account from our website or by going to your MyUSPTO page. Just select the “Create an account” link on the Certified Copy Center.

Yes, you can save the URL for the Certified Copy Center to your Favorites gadget on your MyUSPTO page. Visit your MyUSPTO page for details.

You should be able to use most web browsers to access the Certified Copy Center. The specific web browsers supported are:

  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Google Chrome 70 and 71
  • Safari 12

Use caution when accessing the Certified Copy Center using any other browsers. There could be unpredictable results.

The Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) is responsible for the distribution of certified and uncertified published and unpublished patent documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Yes, after you sign into the Certified Copy Center, you will have an opportunity to link your current online document ordering system (OEMS) account with your USPTO.gov account.

Certified Copy Center - Introduction - Linking accounts

In order to link your accounts at any time after logging in to the Certified Copy Center, you must select the Remind me later link during account setup.

If you selected the Remind me later option, once you sign in to the Certified Copy Center, follow the instructions in the message at the top of the Home page for linking your online document ordering system (OEMS) account and your Certified Copy Center account.

Linking accounts connects your current online document ordering system (OEMS) account with your USPTO.gov account. The primary benefit of doing this is to view orders previously placed through the online document ordering system (OEMS). The Certified Copy Center gives you limited information on prior orders, which you will be able to view on the My orders page. Linking accounts is not required, but it is encouraged during initial sign in so that your previous orders can be associated with your new Certified Copy Center account.

If you have payment information set up in the Financial Manager system, you will be able to access that account during the payment process. Find out more about Financial Manager.

Certified Copy Center - Orders - General

Yes, you can add a custom identifier using the Client reference ID field located on the Orders and Review pages. The field supports up to 30 characters. This identifier must be added before your order or request is submitted.

Currently, only Trademark registration with title and status documents can be expedited. We do not offer express delivery service for orders placed in the Certified Copy Center.

No, not at this time. Requests for unpublished patent documents must be made separately because they require approved proof of entitlement before you can place an order.

Documents in your shopping cart expire after 72 hours. You will receive an email notice if you have items in your cart that will expire within 24 hours. If you log back into the Certified Copy Center before your cart expires, you will be able to continue placing items in the cart and complete your order or request. Any documents left in the cart after 72 hours expire and will be removed from the cart. The 72-hour countdown starts when you add the first document to your cart. It does not reset every time a new documents going into the cart, so it may seem that the cart expires early, but it’s based on the first item placed in the cart. To ensure that you do not lose your selections:

  1. Whenever possible, checkout and complete the transaction as soon as you’ve finished making your selections.
  2. If you are just browsing, remove any old items that you no longer want before adding any new items. This will ensure that you have the full 72 hours to make your shopping selections.

The 72 hours expiration applies to both shopping cart and entitlement verification list items.

The Certified Copy Center storefront is divided into two areas, one for ordering published documents and the other for requesting access to unpublished patent documents. When you request published documents, you can select your documents, place them in your cart and submit payment. The Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) will then process your order.

When you request unpublished patent documents, you select your documents, place them on your list and submit a request for access to the documents. You do not submit any payment with your request. For each document requested, you must supply the PTCFB with one or two proof of entitlement documents which grants you the authority to receive the documents. We will review your proof of entitlement documents to determine if you are entitled to receive the documents. Once approved, you will be able to actually order the requested documents and submit payment.

You must be approved to receive unpublished patent documents. If your request is denied, you must submit a new request with the appropriate proof of entitlement documents.

Certified Copy Center - Orders - Documents

Available documents and formats are:

  • Defensive publication number: T followed by up to 6 digits
  • Design patent number: D followed by up to 6 digits
  • Patent reel and frame number: 6-digit reel follow by 4-digit frame
  • Plant patent number: PP followed by up to 5 digits
  • Published patent application number: 4-digit year (starting in 2001) followed by 7 digits
  • Re-examination utility patent number: B followed by up to 4 digits (issued before 01/02/2001)
  • Reissued patent number: RE followed by up to 5 digits
  • Statutory invention registration number: H followed by up to 4 digits
  • Trademark application serial number: 8 digits
  • Trademark reel and frame number: 4-digit reel followed by 4-digit frame
  • Trademark registration number: up to 7 digits
  • Utility patent number: up to 13 digits

When you select a product, a format hint displays to assist you with entering the document number.

You can order an official non-certified copy of plant patents that do not have a paper certification statement through the Certified Copy Center.

Certified Copy Center - Orders - Published

Yes, from the Order published patent and trademark documents page, select Trademark and Selected paper from trademark file wrapper and enter details including the text “copy of the TRAM screen” in the Description of the selected paper field.

Yes, you can select the option for Trademark from the Order published patent and trademark documents page. If the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) can retrieve your document from our database, we can provide you a copy.

You can order published documents through the Certified Copy Center. We have three ways to access the order page for published documents once you’re logged in.

  1. Select Published patent and trademark documents icon.
  2. Select Order published patent and trademark documents button.
  3. Select Order documents from the Certified Copy Center menu and then select Order published patent and trademark documents.

Certified Copy Center - Orders - Unpublished

To order unpublished patent documents, you must first submit a request showing that you are entitled to the document. To do that, you supply one or two documents showing that you are entitled to have these documents. To request an unpublished patent document:

  1. Select Order unpublished patent documents from the Home page or the Order documents menu.
  2. Select your document type and enter a document number.
  3. Identify yourself or the person you are ordering for (Applicant, Assignee, Attorney or Agent named in filing, Attorney or Agent of record, Inventor, Petitioner for Access, or Power to inspect).
  4. Upload your proof of entitlement document(s).
  5. Add the document to your list.
  6. Submit your entitlement verification request.

Once approved, you will be able to place an order for the document.

You can order up to 25 different documents and up to 99 copies of a single document.

When creating the request for your unpublished patent document, you will be able to upload two supporting documents for your request. Valid document formats are DOCX, DOC, PDF, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, and PNG. The maximum file size is up to 1MB.

To help ensure the security of unpublished patent documents, only users who provide the proper proof of entitlement are eligible to receive unpublished patent documents, as part of that security, we are unable to verify document numbers during the selection process.

Certified Copy Center - Orders - Delivery

When you first log into the Certified Copy Center, there are no addresses in your Address book. After adding the first item to the cart or list, you will be able to view delivery information for the item. At that time, you can add an address to the Address book.

You can import your USPTO.gov account contact address after adding an item to your cart or list. To import:

  1. Select Add address or the + Address button next to the Deliver to dropdown field to open the address wizard.
  2. Enter a nickname for the address and select Next.
  3. At the top of the dialog, select the Import from USPTO.gov link.
  4. Review your selections by stepping through the wizard. You can make any updates, as necessary.
  5. Select Save to add the new address.

This imported address can be edited or deleted and re-imported.

Add one or more addresses to your Address book to easily select delivery information for your orders. You will provide each address a nickname, which displays in the list of available addresses. You can have an unlimited number of address book entries. You can manage your addresses in the following ways:

  • Edit address - Select the address from the list and click the “Edit” link.
  • Delete address - Select the address from the list and click the “Delete” link.
  • Change default address - Select the address from the list and click the “Set as default” button.

Yes, you can have an unlimited number of delivery addresses associated with your Certified Copy Center account.

Orders placed through the Certified Copy Center are shipped via the United States Postal Service by standard mail. Delivery may take up to four weeks. International deliveries may take more than four weeks.

If an order is returned to the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB), customer service will contact the customer to get the correct delivery address. In the case where an item is refused, we record the refused reason. We will attempt redelivery to the customer. If the item is returned a second time, it will not be redelivered. You will have to place a new order.

Certified Copy Center - Orders - Payments

Payment information is stored in your Financial Manager account. By using your USPTO.gov account, you have seamless access to your payment methods. You use that account to submit payments to the Certified Copy Center. Currently, we accept:

  • Deposit Account (provided by USPTO)
  • Credit Cards (PTO form 2038)
    • Visa
    • Master Card
    • American Express
    • Discover
  •  Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) 

For more information on accepted payment methods, please visit the Financial Manager page.

Certified Copy Center - Orders - Status

Your full order history is available on you My orders page. Your full order history includes all orders dating back to the start of your account and will not be erased.

Yes, an email will be sent to you USPTO.gov email address. You will also be able to download a copy of the submission confirmation after submitting your order and can view a copy of a submission confirmation on your My orders page.

Your order history is on the My orders page. This page displays orders and entitlement verification request submitted through the Certified Copy Center. If you linked your accounts you will have limited information on orders placed through the online document ordering system (OEMS).

Your submitted entitlement verification requests are available on your My orders page.

Currently, shipping information is available on your My orders page. Go there to get the latest information on all your orders and entitlement verification requests.

Certified Copy Center - Storefront - General

The Certified Copy Center replaces the online document ordering system (OEMS) for ordering certified copies of published patent and trademark documents. The storefront can also be used to order unpublished patent documents. It interfaces with the following systems:

  • Patent Public Search
  • Patent Center
  • Private Patent Application Information Retrieval - Private PAIR.

The Certified Copy Center allows you to get the status of all your orders placed through the storefront and can even provide status information on older orders if you link your OEMS and USPTO.gov accounts.

Our Storefront is available 24 hours a day. Customer service is available toll free at 800-972-6382 (Local 571-272-3150), Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, except on federal holidays.

Yes, you have access to the same features on your tablet or mobile device as a desktop: ordering, reviewing, and getting order statuses.

No, we do not. The most expedient method to order documents or submit a request for documents is to go through the Certified Copy Center.

You can order up to 25 different documents, and you can order up to 99 copies of a single document.

Processing goals are the approximate time required for the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) to retrieve, copy, certify (if required), and prepare the document for delivery. Processing goals are dependent upon availability of systems and USPTO business hours. You can review processing goals on orders and entitlement requests placed by going to your My orders page. You can also view this information on the Products and fees pages.

Certified Copy Center - Storefront - Documents

We recommend these six databases which allow you to search for and retrieve copies of documents.

The Certified Copy Center allows you to order published patent and trademark documents and unpublished patent documents with approved proof of entitlement.

Published documents are available to the general public because they are filed and approved patents and trademarks. Unpublished patent documents are patent documents that have been filed with the USPTO but are still in the approval process.

Unpublished patent documents are not available to the general public and are only released to requesters with appropriate supporting proof of entitlement and after approval by the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB).

A certified copy of a document is a patent or trademark document from the USPTO’s database in a binding package that consists of a certification statement, an official seal attesting to the validity of the document, and a certifying officer’s signature. The Certified Copy Center can only provide certified copies of documents that have a USPTO filing date.

Certified Copy Center - Storefront - Fees

Costs start at $25 per copy and up. These fees are subject to change. Current pricing displays within the Certified Copy Center. To view the most current fees for all products, go to the Products and fees pages for published patents, trademarks, and unpublished patents documents.

Certified Copy Center - Storefront - Ordering

An approved entitlement request for unpublished patent documents will remain on your My orders page for up to 72 hours after approval. If you do not complete the checkout process within that time, the approved entitlement verification request will expire and you must submit a new request.

No, a reel and frame number is required to order or request a copy of an assignment.

You must first submit a request to determine if you are eligible to receive unpublished patent documents. You can request unpublished patent documents through the Certified Copy Center. There are three ways for you to access the order page for unpublished patent documents once you’re logged in.

  1. Select the Unpublished patent documents icon.
  2. Select the Order Unpublished patent documents button.
  3. Select Order documents the Certified Copy Center main menu and select Order unpublished patent documents.

You can order a specific paper from an unpublished patent file, by selecting the Selected paper from patent file wrapper unpublished patent document type. You will need to provide the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) with the document number, title, date, and description of the specific paper. Use the date the paper was inserted into the file. The more descriptive information you can provide will help us find the correct paper for the document.

You can order specific paper from a published patent or trademark file, by selecting the Selected paper from patent file wrapper or Selected paper from trademark file wrapper from the type of document list. You will need to provide the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) with the document type and number, title, date, and description of the specific paper. Use the date the paper was inserted into the file. The more descriptive information you can provide will help us find the correct paper for the document.

To request an unpublished patent document, you must upload supporting documentation we will used to validate your entitlement to the document. Only users representing the types of requesters described below can submit a request.

  • Applicant
  • Assignee
  • Attorney or Agent named in filing
  • Attorney or Agent of record
  • Inventor
  • Petitioner for Access
  • Power to inspect (SB67)

Our staff reviews the supporting documentation with the request and compares that data in the applicable USPTO databases to determine eligibility. If you are entitled to receive the requested patent document, we will notify you with instructions to complete your order. If you are not entitled to receive the requested patent document, we will cancel your request and send you a letter with the details.

Power to inspect (SB67) forms are found here:

Our staff will notify you via email when your entitlement request is approved. Once approved, you have 72 hours to complete your order. You can complete your order by following the instructions in the email or these steps below.

  1. Log into the Certified Copy Center
  2. Navigate to your My orders page
  3. Find your approved entitlement verification request and select the Checkout button next to your request

Once the 72 hours after approval has passed, your approved request will expire and you must submit a new entitlement verification request for the documents.

If your entitlement verification request is denied for an unpublished patent document, you will have to correct the issue and submit a new request. We will send you an email notification explaining:

  • Which documents have been denied
  • Reason for the denial
  • New entitlement verification request number for the denied documents for tracking purposes
  • Instructions for completing a new request

You can also view the status of orders and requests by going to your My orders page within the Certified Copy Center. From there, you will be able to view the status of your orders and requests, view any correspondence letters, and denial reasons.

The entitlement verification process is the process used by the Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (PTCFB) of reviewing proof of entitlement documents in order to validate whether a requester is entitled to receive unpublished patent documents. Depending on the document type, the processing goal could be between five and ten days. If your request is approved, you will receive an email notification with instructions on how to complete your order and receive your documents. If your request is denied, you will be given a correspondence letter explaining the denial with instruction on submitting a new request.

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