Authentication Change for EFS-Web and PAIR

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, voice phone call 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.

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

1. Visit the MyUSPTO login
2. Select “Create an account”
3. Enter the email address you will use to sign in, as well as other necessary account information, and follow the prompts
4. Opt-in to two-step authentication
5. Set up migration and sponsorship.
6. Obtain a verified USPTO.gov account using the new verification process
7. Set up sponsorship if needed.

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, verify your USPTO.gov account, and set up sponsorships as needed.

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

Registered practitioners and independent inventors can obtain a verified USPTO.gov account to access EFS-Web and PAIR using the new verification process.

After creating a USPTO.gov account, users need to complete the Patent Electronic System Verification Form, which requires a notary. The original form needs to be mailed to:

Mail Stop EBC Customer Number
Commissioner for Patents
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

Upon successful approval, the USPTO.gov account will be verified and an email notification will be sent to the applicant.

Additional instructions can be found at Patent Electronic Verification Form Instructions.

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.

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.