Can I submit maintenance fee payments by mail?

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.

Yes, you can submit maintenance fee payments by mail, although electronic submissions are preferred. The MPEP 2510 provides guidance on mailing maintenance fee payments:

“Non-electronic payments should be sent to: United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 979071, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000.”

When submitting by mail, ensure that you include all necessary information and documentation. It’s important to note that mailed payments may take longer to process compared to electronic submissions, so plan accordingly to avoid late fees or patent expiration.