How does the USPTO handle mail received on weekends or holidays?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09 10 Rules 5 Related FAQs This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice. The USPTO does not officially receive mail on weekends or federal holidays when the office is closed. Any correspondence received on these days is typically stamped with the next business day’s date. For example, if mail is delivered to the USPTO on a Saturday, it will be stamped with the following Monday’s date (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday). This practice ensures consistency in dating received documents and aligns with the USPTO’s official business hours. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Fax Date Stamped on Next Business Day MPEP 505 Permitted Receipt Date for Electronic Filings Is Eastern Time Regardless of Holidays MPEP 505 Permitted Correspondence Receipt Date Regardless of Day MPEP 505 Priority Mail Express Date for Patent Office Receipt MPEP 505 Permitted Patent and Trademark Office Not Open on Weekends and Holidays MPEP 505 Permitted Correspondence Not Received on Saturdays, Sundays, or Federal Holidays MPEP 505 Permitted Office Date Stamp Required for Receipt of Correspondence MPEP 505 Hand-Carried Papers Must Be Date Stamped MPEP 505 Saturday Deposit Date Stamped MPEP 505 Date of Deposit Stamped on Patent Applications MPEP 505 Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse What happens if the date of receipt stamp is illegible or missing? What determines the filing date of a patent application? How are Priority Mail Express® submissions dated by the USPTO? How does the USPTO handle correspondence received on weekends or holidays? What is the date of receipt stamp for USPTO correspondence?