The
Electronic Business Center (EBC) is a great place to start. Please notify the EBC of any concerns with your electronic file as soon as possible. A trained representative can work with you to address your concerns. You can reach the EBC at 866–217–9197 (toll-free), 571–272–4100, or
ebc@uspto.gov 6 a.m. to midnight ET, Monday through Friday.
If you need to make a correction to your application that is supported by the validated DOCX version of the application, you can file a petition under 37 CFR 1.181. A request to correct the electronic record that is based on your DOCX submission and filed more than one year after you submitted it will not ordinarily be granted.
If you filed your application before June 30, 2023, included the optional applicant-generated backup PDF with your DOCX application, and need to make a correction to your application that is supported by the applicant-generated PDF (rather than the validated DOCX version), you should file a petition under 37 CFR 1.182. The fee for this type of petition, normally required under 37 CFR 1.17(f), will be waived. The applicant-generated PDF that you file with your DOCX application will not become part of the permanent record unless a petition is filed requesting that the Office correct the record in view of that PDF.
Alternatively, if you file an application in DOCX format that includes a proper priority claim under 37 CFR 1.55 or proper benefit claim under 37 CFR 1.78, you may be able to address discrepancies resulting from filing an application in DOCX format, based on the incorporation by reference provisions of 37 CFR 1.57(b), instead of filing a petition.