How can USPTO personnel determine the current location or status of an application?

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Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based) BlueIron Update: 2024-09-09 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. USPTO personnel should use Patent Data Portal to determine the current location or status of an application. For Image File Wrapper (IFW) applications, no location is associated with the file. As stated in MPEP 102: When it is desired to determine the current location or status of an application, Office personnel should use Patent Data Portal. If the application is an Image File Wrapper (IFW) application, no location is associated with the file. Related Rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 10 rules Collapse Use Patent Data Portal for Application Status MPEP 102 Recommended Status Information of an Application Is Required MPEP 102 No Location for IFW Applications MPEP 102 Determine TC from Patent Data Portal for Status Inquiry MPEP 102 Permitted Requester Without Written Authority May Use Patent Center for Status Info MPEP 102 Permitted Requester Entitled to Status Info for International Design Application MPEP 102 Third Party Access to Unpublished Patent Applications MPEP 102 Required Requester Must Check Patent Center or PAIR for Application Status MPEP 102 Recommended Status Info for International Design Application Filing MPEP 102 Permitted Access to Published Abandoned Patent Application Files MPEP 102 Required Other Related FAQs 5 FAQs Collapse What information can be provided about provisional applications? What information can be obtained about a pending application under MPEP 102? What information can be provided about pending or abandoned applications? What information is considered &#8216;status information&#8217; for a patent application? When are patent application records available to the public?