MPEP § 2805 — Correspondence with Patent Owner; Patent Owner Address (Annotated Rules)

§2805 Correspondence with Patent Owner; Patent Owner Address

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2805, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Correspondence with Patent Owner; Patent Owner Address

This section addresses Correspondence with Patent Owner; Patent Owner Address. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.33(g) and 37 CFR 1.34. Contains: 2 requirements, 2 guidance statements, 3 permissions, and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Correspondence Address Requirements

6 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2805-c20ad10a7f290bca253b77c6]
Correct Correspondence Address for Patent Owners
Note:
The Office will use the recorded correspondence address for all communications in supplemental examination and any resulting ex parte reexamination proceedings.

The correspondence address of record for the patent for which supplemental examination is requested is the correct address for all notices, official letters, and other communications for patent owners in supplemental examination proceedings. This is consistent with reexamination practice. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.33(c). For this reason, the correspondence address of record in the file of the patent for which supplemental examination is requested will be utilized by the Office as the address of the patent owner when mailing any communications in supplemental examination proceedings, and in any resulting ex parte reexamination proceedings.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.33(c)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2805-1b3d5bf4cfbe6020074ed07a]
Patent Owner Address for Supplemental Examination
Note:
The patent owner's address of record is used for all communications in supplemental examination and any resulting ex parte reexamination proceedings.

The correspondence address of record for the patent for which supplemental examination is requested is the correct address for all notices, official letters, and other communications for patent owners in supplemental examination proceedings. This is consistent with reexamination practice. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.33(c). For this reason, the correspondence address of record in the file of the patent for which supplemental examination is requested will be utilized by the Office as the address of the patent owner when mailing any communications in supplemental examination proceedings, and in any resulting ex parte reexamination proceedings.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.33(c)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence AddressCorrespondence with the Office
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2805-5c08490acfff87650126a9bd]
Patent Owner Address for Communications
Note:
The Office will use the record correspondence address when mailing communications during supplemental examination and any resulting ex parte reexamination proceedings.

The correspondence address of record for the patent for which supplemental examination is requested is the correct address for all notices, official letters, and other communications for patent owners in supplemental examination proceedings. This is consistent with reexamination practice. See, e.g., 37 CFR 1.33(c). For this reason, the correspondence address of record in the file of the patent for which supplemental examination is requested will be utilized by the Office as the address of the patent owner when mailing any communications in supplemental examination proceedings, and in any resulting ex parte reexamination proceedings.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.33(c)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2805-6061f3c2c869cd300dca2189]
Submissions for Power of Attorney Changes After Supplemental Exam
Note:
Submissions to change power of attorney after a supplemental examination request must follow MPEP § 2806 guidelines.

After a request for supplemental examination has been filed, and/or after any ex parte reexamination resulting from the supplemental examination has been ordered, any submissions to the Office to change the power of attorney or the correspondence address should be addressed as set forth in MPEP § 2806. Use of form PTO/AIA/81B is encouraged. If, however, the supplemental examination proceeding and any resulting reexamination proceeding is no longer pending, then such submissions should be addressed to Mail Stop Post Issue, Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.

Jump to MPEP SourceCorrespondence Address RequirementsReexamination OrderCorrespondence with the Office
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2805-653bf8270413ed47ae638201]
Patent Owners or Record Agent Can Sign Change Request
Note:
A change of correspondence address can be signed by all patent owners or the registered attorney or agent of record in the file under supplemental examination.

A submission requesting a change of correspondence address may be signed by all of the patent owners (see MPEP § 2803) or by the registered attorney or agent of record in the file of the patent under supplemental examination. If the application which became the patent under supplemental examination was filed on or after September 12, 2012, a patent practitioner acting in a representative capacity whose correspondence address is the correspondence address of record in the file of the patent under supplemental examination may file a change of correspondence address, provided that the change of correspondence address is accompanied by a statement in accordance with 37 CFR 1.33(g).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.33(g)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2805-0f76c9039842981b8bfa882e]
Patent Practitioner Can File Change if Filing Date Is After September 12, 2012
Note:
A patent practitioner whose address matches the record can file a change of correspondence address for a patent filed on or after September 12, 2012, provided it includes a statement as per 37 CFR 1.33(g).

A submission requesting a change of correspondence address may be signed by all of the patent owners (see MPEP § 2803) or by the registered attorney or agent of record in the file of the patent under supplemental examination. If the application which became the patent under supplemental examination was filed on or after September 12, 2012, a patent practitioner acting in a representative capacity whose correspondence address is the correspondence address of record in the file of the patent under supplemental examination may file a change of correspondence address, provided that the change of correspondence address is accompanied by a statement in accordance with 37 CFR 1.33(g).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.33(g)Correspondence Address RequirementsCorrespondence with the OfficeCorrespondence Address
Topic

Types of Forms

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2805-b7c7a58def569dbf06c1bebf]
Use PTO/AIA/81B for Power of Attorney Changes in Reexamination
Note:
Patent owners must use form PTO/AIA/81B when submitting a power of attorney or change of correspondence address during supplemental examination or reexamination proceedings.

If the patent owner desires the Office to send correspondence to a registered attorney or agent other than the attorney or agent of record in the file of the patent for which reexamination is requested, then a new power of attorney must be filed in both: 1) the file of the patent for which supplemental examination is requested; and 2) the file of the supplemental examination proceeding, or, if reexamination is ordered, in the resulting ex parte reexamination proceeding. Patent owners are strongly encouraged to use form PTO/AIA/81B when submitting a power of attorney and/or change of correspondence address in a supplemental examination proceeding or a reexamination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP SourceTypes of FormsPOA Form RequirementsCorrespondence Address Requirements
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2805-297873a2936ae6f4d8e90bad]
Submissions After Reexamination
Note:
If supplementary examination and reexamination are no longer pending, submissions for changing power of attorney or correspondence address must be sent to Mail Stop Post Issue.

After a request for supplemental examination has been filed, and/or after any ex parte reexamination resulting from the supplemental examination has been ordered, any submissions to the Office to change the power of attorney or the correspondence address should be addressed as set forth in MPEP § 2806. Use of form PTO/AIA/81B is encouraged. If, however, the supplemental examination proceeding and any resulting reexamination proceeding is no longer pending, then such submissions should be addressed to Mail Stop Post Issue, Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.

Jump to MPEP SourceTypes of FormsPOA Form RequirementsUSPTO Forms
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2805-0a380ae1cd900e8d8f797a2a]
Form for Changing Power of Attorney and Correspondence Address
Note:
This form is used to change a power of attorney and/or correspondence address in a supplemental examination proceeding, and can also be applied simultaneously to the patent file if desired.

The following is a copy of form PTO/AIA/81B, which may be used for changing a power of attorney and/or a correspondence address in a supplemental examination proceeding and, if desired, simultaneously in the file of the patent.

Jump to MPEP SourceTypes of FormsPOA Form RequirementsCorrespondence Address Requirements
Topic

Correspondence Signature Requirements

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2805-881848cd9f048ef0aa121154]
Requirement for Signed Papers on Behalf of Patent Owners
Note:
Papers filed on behalf of patent owners must be signed by the owner, a registered attorney or agent of record, or another registered attorney or agent acting in a representative capacity.

Papers filed on behalf of patent owners must be signed by the patent owners, by the registered attorney or agent of record in the patent file, or by any registered attorney or agent acting in a representative capacity under 37 CFR 1.34. See MPEP § 2804. Double correspondence with the patent owner and the attorney or agent will not normally be undertaken by the Office.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.34Correspondence Signature RequirementsDocuments Requiring SignatureSignature Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2805-68fffa158db54a696a77084a]
No Normal Double Correspondence with Patent Owner
Note:
The Office will not normally engage in double correspondence with the patent owner and their attorney or agent.

Papers filed on behalf of patent owners must be signed by the patent owners, by the registered attorney or agent of record in the patent file, or by any registered attorney or agent acting in a representative capacity under 37 CFR 1.34. See MPEP § 2804. Double correspondence with the patent owner and the attorney or agent will not normally be undertaken by the Office.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.34Correspondence Signature RequirementsDocuments Requiring SignatureSignature Requirements
Topic

Reexamination Order

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2805-aea945c7e5e693a81fea2253]
New Power of Attorney Required for Alternate Correspondence
Note:
Patent owners must file a new power of attorney in both the patent and supplemental examination files if they want the Office to send correspondence to an alternate registered attorney or agent.

If the patent owner desires the Office to send correspondence to a registered attorney or agent other than the attorney or agent of record in the file of the patent for which reexamination is requested, then a new power of attorney must be filed in both: 1) the file of the patent for which supplemental examination is requested; and 2) the file of the supplemental examination proceeding, or, if reexamination is ordered, in the resulting ex parte reexamination proceeding. Patent owners are strongly encouraged to use form PTO/AIA/81B when submitting a power of attorney and/or change of correspondence address in a supplemental examination proceeding or a reexamination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP SourceReexamination OrderCorrespondence with the OfficePower of Attorney Requirements

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Correspondence Address Requirements37 CFR § 1.33(c)
Correspondence Address Requirements37 CFR § 1.33(g)
Correspondence Signature Requirements37 CFR § 1.34
Correspondence Address RequirementsMPEP § 2803
Correspondence Signature RequirementsMPEP § 2804
Correspondence Address Requirements
Types of Forms
MPEP § 2806

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31