How can I change my entity status for maintenance fee payments?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-29 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. To change your entity status for maintenance fee payments, you have several options: For payments by mail, facsimile, or hand delivery: Include a paper changing the entity status with your maintenance fee payment. For online payments: Change your entity status before submitting the payment. MPEP 2550 suggests: “Before submitting a payment via the Patent Maintenance Fees Storefront in an entity status different from the entity status of record, it is suggested that the entity status entitlement document […] be filed by either making the entity status change via Private PAIR using the “Update” Entity Status feature or faxing the document to 571-273-6500 (the maintenance fee transmittal fax number).” To change entity status via Private PAIR, you must meet certain requirements, including being a registered patent attorney/agent or independent inventor and having a USPTO.gov account with two-step authentication. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Maintenance Fee Payment Includes Entity Status Change MPEP 2550 Permitted Requirement for Entity Status Change Before Payment MPEP 2550 Entity Status Change Required Before Payment MPEP 2550 Required Entity Status Document Required for Payment MPEP 2550 Required Requirement for Updating Entity Status with EBC MPEP 2550 Check for Loss of Small Entity Status Before Paying Maintenance Fees MPEP 2550 Check for Loss of Micro Entity Status Before Paying Fees MPEP 2550 Entity Status Document Must Be Filed By Mail, Fax, Or Electronic Filing System MPEP 2550 Prohibited Notification for Loss of Entity Status Must Be Filed By Mail, Fax, or Electronic System MPEP 2550 Prohibited Reduced Maintenance Fees for Small/Micro Enti...