How are hand-delivered amendments under 37 CFR 1.312 handled?

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.

Hand-delivered amendments under 37 CFR 1.312 are no longer accepted in the Technology Center (TC). They must be delivered to the Customer Window at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The MPEP states: Hand delivered amendments under 37 CFR 1.312 are no longer accepted in the TC. Hand delivered amendments (unless specifically required by the Office of Data Management, see subsection III. below) may only be delivered to the Customer Window located at: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Customer Service Window Randolph Building 401 Dulany Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (MPEP 714.16(d))