Applications are filed though EFS-Web (Electronic Filing System-Web). This collection of web page links includes forms and information needed to file patent applications.
Application status can be checked using PAIR (Patent Application Information Retrieval) This page includes a collection of web page links related to accessing application status information.
Guide to using the USPTO Electronic Filing System for Patent Applications (PDF, 17 pages)
Guide to USPTO Electronic Filing System for International Patent Applications (PDF, 2 pages)
Guide to using the Electronic Filing System Fee Payment System (PDF, 7 pages)
Guide to understanding how to file .docx documents and includes a brief overview of the process. (PDF. 17 pages)
The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners, experienced primary patent examiners, various intellectual property specialists, and attorneys who can answer general questions concerning patent examining policy and procedure.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM (ET), except federal holidays
Phone: 800-PTO-9199 (800-786-9199)
TDD/TTY: 800-877-8339
The staff in the Application Assistance Unit (AAU) is trained to assist with a broad range of questions and issues pertaining to pre-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) and the post-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Data Management (ODM).
Telephone: 888-786-0101
Email: HelpAAU@uspto.gov