About EFS-Web

EFS-Web for Registered eFilers

Enhanced filing, follow-on processing, saved submissions and more.

Important Information

EFS-Web Resources
Instructions to become a Registered eFiler (Getting Started - New Users), system requirements, EFS-Web Fillable Forms, and other useful information and links
EFS-Web Announcements
Recent and archived announcements.

Sponsorship Tool

The Sponsorship Tool in Patent Center can be used by registered practitioners to sponsor their support staff to work on their behalf. For step-by-step instructions, see Patent Center Sponsorship Tool Guide.

Sponsorship Tool in Patent Center After signing in to Patent Center, you can access the sponsorship tool under the Manage > Sponsor Users menu option.

EFS-Web for Unregistered eFilers

Basic initial filing of new patent applications

Note: Unregistered eFilers are not permitted to file follow-on submissions/fees in EFS-Web. eFilers are advised to pay fees online as part of the initial application submission or use an alternative filing method to pay fees on the same day to avoid a late surcharge.

Open EFS-Web Unregistered

EFS-Web Contingency

Basic initial filing of new patent applications when the primary portal to EFS-Web has an unscheduled outage.

Learn more about EFS-Web Contingency

Open EFS-Web Contingency

Patent Center

Patent Center has 100% of the functionality of EFS-Web, Public and Private PAIR, and is available to all users for electronic filing and management of patent applications. A Training mode is available to practice filing. Please visit the Patent Center Information page for more information.

Open Patent Center

EFS-Web, which will soon be replaced by Patent Center, is the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO’s) Web-based patent application and document submission system. Using EFS-Web, anyone with a Web-enabled computer can file patent applications and documents without downloading special software or changing document preparation tools and processes.

EFS-Web utilizes standard Web-based screens and prompts to enable you to submit patent application documents in PDF format directly to the USPTO within minutes. When creating your PDF documents, you choose the tool, process and workflow with which you author your documents, convert them to standard PDF files and then submit them to USPTO's secure servers. Additionally, EFS-Web allows submission of PCT-EASY .ZIP compressed files to submit International PCT applications and ASCII text files (.TXT) to submit your bio-sequence listings, computer program listings, mega tables, etc. EFS-Web is safe, simple and secure and gives you all of the same benefits as paper filings, including an electronic receipt that acknowledges your submission date.

ePetitions - information and guidance on filing ePetitions
eTerminal Disclaimer - information and guidance on filing an eTerminal Disclaimer
Filing Documents During an Outage - Information regarding how to file documents, or make payments, when EFS-Web is unavailable.
Alternative Electronic Filing - Information for completing alternative electronic filing during a designated significant system outage and requesting a refund of non-electronic filing fee for patent applications filed other than by EFS-Web or EFS-Web Contingency.

The Patent Electronic Business Center is open Monday - Friday, to help you with technical issues regarding EFS-Web or with becoming a registered user. From 6:00 a.m. to 12 Midnight Eastern Time email ebc@uspto.gov or call 866-217-9197.