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As of July 31, 2022, Public PAIR is no longer be available. To access publicly available documents, guest users may access Patent Center.
Update bookmarks and favorites from Public Pair to Patent Center
- Remove Public PAIR at https://portal.uspto.gov/pair/PublicPair from your bookmarks and favorites.
- Create new bookmarks to Patent Center at https://patentcenter.uspto.gov.
- For new system information see the Patent Center User Guide or visit the Patent Center Information page.
- For valid format types to access documents see the Patent Center Quick Reference Guide.
- To prepare for the transition, we are hosting several training sessions to provide details and answer questions. Please register at: Accessing publicly available documents training using Patent Center.
For assistance, contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 during their operating hours of 6 a.m. to midnight ET, Monday - Friday, or email ebc@uspto.gov.
Access information for Patent Center
- A verified account enables users to view their pending patent applications and to file follow on submissions.
- Practitioners and independent inventors require a verified USPTO.gov account to access Patent Center.
- Obtain a verified USPTO.gov account using the verification process.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Public PAIR being retired?
Public PAIR is a decades old tool, and is being replaced by Patent Center, the Next Generation Patent filing and retrieval system. Patent Center provides all Public PAIR functionality, including access to publicly available patent documents by application, patent, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), publication, and/or international design registration numbers. Users are also able to sort documents and transaction history based on column headings.
When will Private PAIR be retired?
We are considering retiring all our legacy systems in favor of more modern tools. We do not have specific plans to retire Private PAIR at this time, but we will continue to update stakeholders as we develop our systems and our timeline.
What is Patent Center?
Patent Center is the Next Generation Patent filing/retrieval and account management system. Patent Center enhances the user experience by incorporating filing, application and customer self-administration management within a single user interface. Visit the Patent Center page or download the Patent Center Quick Start Guide for more information.
What types of applications will I be able to view in Patent Center?
Patent Center will allow guest users to search any public:
- Patent applications, including provisionals
- Issued patents
- Design applications
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
- International Design Registration
- Supplemental Reexamination
- Reexamination
What happened to searching by Control Number?
Control Number Search (Reexam) has been incorporated within Application search, which reduces the number of search selections.
How do I view or download Non-Patent-Literature in Patent Center?
As a “guest user”, downloading non-patent literature (NPL) is not allowed due to copyright restrictions.
Is there a search format I should follow?
Each application type has different allowable formats. If a valid number is entered in an invalid format, the system will display an error message with the valid format for that specific search type. The user can then reenter the application number using one of the valid formats in the displayed error message.
Is there any restriction to what I can download from a search in Patent Center?
Non-Patent Literature (NPL) documents are restricted from download and view due to Copyright restrictions.
Why are some applications that I type unavailable?
In order to access an application as a guest user, the application must be set to “public”. Applications that have a Publication number and Publication Date or a Patent number and Issue Date, the public can access. There are also complex business rules based on Parent/Child Continuity that can make an application public before publication.
Are there other public search tools available?
Alternative public search tools include:
How can I search and download bulk data?
You can use Open Data Portal to search and download large sets of data.
Will I be able to use the same account to log in to Patent Center as I use now for PAIR?
Yes, you will be able to use the same USPTO.gov account to access Patent Center, PAIR, EFS-Web, and Financial Manager. Guest users are not required to log in to Patent Center to search and file new applications.
Do I need to be a registered user to search public applications?
No. Guest users can search available public applications.
What is a “guest user”?
A guest user is a user who accesses Patent Center without logging in with a registered or proofed MyUSPTO.gov account.
What is a MyUSPTO.gov account?
A MyUSPTO.gov account is when a user registers or links their email address with the USPTO. Visit MyUSPTO then select the “Create a USPTO.gov account” button. For assistance with creating a USPTO.gov account, contact the USPTO Contact Center (UCC) at 1-800-786-9199 or 571-272-1000 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time. When prompted, choose option 3, then option 4 for USPTO.gov accounts.
How do I become a “proofed” user?
Visit the “Getting Started – New Users” page for instructions to become a proofed user. Contact the Patent Electronic Business Center (PEBC) for assistance at 1-866-217-9197 or 571-272-4100 from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday or email EBC@uspto.gov.
What is the benefit to becoming a “proofed” user?
When you use Patent Center as a guest user, your scope is limited to fewer filing options and accessing only public applications. As a proofed user, you will be able to view your pending applications(s) and file follow-on submissions.