Are handwritten patent applications accepted by the USPTO?

Are handwritten patent applications accepted by the USPTO?

While it is strongly recommended to submit typed or printed applications, the USPTO does accept handwritten patent applications under certain conditions:

• The handwriting must be legible and in permanent dark ink or its equivalent.
• The text must be clearly readable and suitable for reproduction.
• All other formatting requirements (margins, spacing, etc.) must still be followed.

As stated in MPEP 501: All papers that are to become a part of the permanent records of the United States Patent and Trademark Office should be legibly written either by a typewriter or mechanical printer in permanent dark ink or its equivalent in portrait orientation on flexible, strong, smooth, non-shiny, durable, and white paper.

While handwritten applications are technically accepted, it’s important to note that typed or printed applications are preferred for clarity and ease of processing. Handwritten applications may face additional scrutiny and potential delays in processing due to legibility concerns.