Authentication Change for EFS-Web and PAIR

Visit the Authentication Change FAQs for frequently asked questions regarding the authentication change for EFS-Web and PAIR.EFS-Web and Private PAIR users now have a new, safer, and simpler login. The USPTO is moving from using PKI certificates for two-factor authentication because the software will no longer be supported after 2018. With this in mind, we now offer a new, two-factor authentication method using USPTO.gov accounts.

How does logging in with USPTO.gov help you?

Eliminates shared credentials: practitioners no longer need to share accounts with support staff because they will all have their own accounts.
Modernizes security processes with two-step authentication: username and password plus a one-time code delivered by email or mobile device application.
Saves time by granting access to multiple USPTO systems with one consolidated sign-in process.
Ensures USPTO compliance with the latest Federal Information Security Management Act requirements.
Helps resolve browser compatibility issues.
Gives users access to EFS-Web and Private PAIR until the planned full release of Patent Center in 2020.

Create a USPTO.gov Account

If you don’t already have a USPTO.gov account, just follow these simple steps:

Visit the MyUSPTO login
Select “Create an account”
Enter the email address you will use to sign in, as well as other necessary account information, and follow the prompts
Opt-in to two-step authentication
Once the tools are available, set up migration and sponsorship.

For additional information, see the USPTO.gov account FAQ.

NOTE: If you use Financial Manager, you already have a USPTO.gov account: Just opt-in to two-step authentication. Once the tools are available, set up migration and sponsorship.

If you need any assistance creating your USPTO.gov account, please call the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at 800-786-9199.

Migrate your PKI Certificate

To successfully migrate, users must already have a USPTO.gov account and an existing PKI certificate. The Migration Tool is now available for Registered Practitioners and Independent Inventors to link their existing PKI certificate with their USPTO.gov account following the step-by-step process outlined below. Support staff using the PKI certificate of a Registered Practitioner should not migrate; please continue to sign-in with PKI certificate until the Sponsorship Tool becomes available in November.

Opt-in for two-step authentication for your USPTO.gov account
Clear your browser cache.
Close all browsers.
Go to the Migration Tool.
Sign in using your PKI digital certificate and review the Account Linking information.
Sign in using your USPTO.gov account, and confirm that both the PKI digital certificate and USPTO.gov account are verified.
Review account linking information for accuracy and provide your signature. Click on “Link accounts” to complete migration and link your PKI digital certificate to your USPTO.gov account.
Please wait 1-2 business days for your account migration to be processed by USPTO before using your USPTO.gov account to sign into EFS-Web and Private PAIR. Please note that you will need to update your bookmarks to the new EFS-Web and Private PAIR URLs for signing in with your USPTO.gov account.

For additional information, see the USPTO.gov account FAQ.

For assistance with migration, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Sponsorship Highlights

The sponsorship tool allows practitioners to grant or remove sponsorship for support staff member(s) to work under their direction and control. In order to sponsor support staff, a practitioner must first migrate to a USPTO.gov account and the support staff must each have their own USPTO.gov account.

Practitioners are able to sponsor support staff, access "pending requests" for sponsorships to grant approval, remove sponsored support staff, and view active sponsorships.

Support staff are able to sign in using USPTO.gov accounts, view active sponsorships, remove sponsorships from a sponsoring practitioner which they no longer wish to be sponsored by, "request sponsorships" for other support staff to be approved by a practitioner, and view requested sponsorships.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Visit the Authentication Change FAQs for frequently asked questions regarding the authentication change for EFS-Web and PAIR.

Visit the Sponsorship Tool FAQs for frequently asked questions regarding the Sponsorship Tool.

Information sessions

We invite you to join us for one of our upcoming informational sessions on Authentication Changes for EFS-Web and PAIR. Several members of the eMod (eCommerce Modernization) team will share information about upcoming authentication change from PKI certificates to USPTO.gov accounts for EFS-Web and PAIR. Additionally, the team will give a brief overview of structured text features and updates on the new Patent Center tool. Each virtual session will be approximately 1 hour.

Please note that the sessions will be updated monthly to reflect additional information as it becomes available.

Information session dates and times

Overview and migration details

October 4, 1-2 p.m. ET
October 11, 2-3 p.m. ET
October 18, 2-3 p.m. ET
October 25, 12-1 p.m. ET
October 30, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET

Overview and migration and sponsorship details

November 6, 2-3 p.m. ET
November 15, 2-3 p.m. ET
November 19, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET
November 27, 12-1 p.m. ET
December 6, 2-3 p.m. ET
December 12, 1-2 p.m. ET

New Registration Process (Post migration deadline)

December 19, 12-1 p.m. ET

We welcome attendees to register for multiple sessions, because new information will be added as it becomes available. We will start sharing Migration Tool details in October, and add Sponsorship Tool details in November. The final session on December 19 is for users who did not migrate in time and would like details about the new process for creating accounts to access EFS-Web Registered and Private PAIR. Upon registration, you will see a confirmation page as a part of the “thank you” screen to indicate successful registration. We will reach out at the provided email address on the morning of your scheduled session to provide attendees with the link to join the information session virtually. If you do not see one of the above sessions when you register, the session is closed for further registration and we ask that you choose another session.

Dates you need to know

Now	October 2018	November 2018	December 2018
Create account	Migrate	Sponsor	Retire PKI
All PKI certificate holders and support staff should create USPTO.gov accounts now, and set them up for two-step authentication.	We will release a migration tool to allow current PKI certificate holders to link their USPTO.gov accounts to their PKI certificates. Linkage allows use of USPTO.gov accounts to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR. PKI certificates will remain valid for a period of time after the linkage to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR.	Registered practitioners can sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf by giving them access via USPTO sponsorship tool.	Transition from current PKI certificates to new authentication method must be complete.

Now

October 2018

November 2018

December 2018

Create account

Migrate

Sponsor

Retire PKI

All PKI certificate holders and support staff should create
USPTO.gov accounts now, and set them up for two-step authentication.

We will release a migration tool to allow current PKI certificate holders to link their USPTO.gov accounts to their PKI certificates.

Linkage allows use of USPTO.gov accounts to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR.

PKI certificates will remain valid for a period of time after the linkage to access EFS-Web and Private PAIR.

Registered practitioners can sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf by giving them access via USPTO sponsorship tool.

Transition from current PKI certificates to new authentication method must be complete.

If you need assistance creating your USPTO.gov account, please call the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at 800-786-9199. For assistance with migration and/or sponsorship, please contact the Patent Electronic Business Center at ebc@uspto.gov or 866-217-9197.

Start Migration Tool

Sponsorship Tool

For registered practitioners to sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf. See the Sponsorship Tool Guide or Computer Based Training for instructions. To sponsor, practitioners will need to migrate their PKIs and have the USPTO.gov email address of the support staff.

Access Document

The Patent Electronic System Access Document provides additional information on the authentication, sponsorship, and identity verification requirements for accessing the patent electronic system.