How does changing the correspondence address in a patent application affect a practitioner’s address of record?

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.

Changing the correspondence address in a patent application does not automatically change a patent practitioner’s address of record with the USPTO. These are two separate matters:

• The correspondence address is specific to an application or patent
• The practitioner’s address of record is maintained in the USPTO’s roster of registered practitioners

MPEP 601.03(a) cites 37 CFR 1.33(e), which states: A change of address filed in a patent application or patent does not change the address for a patent practitioner in the roster of patent attorneys and agents.

This means that even if you change the correspondence address for a specific application, you must separately update your address with the Office of Enrollment and Discipline if you want to change your official address of record as a registered practitioner.

Practitioners have an obligation to keep their address current with the USPTO. As noted in MPEP 601.03: Note that the obligation (see 37 CFR 11.11) of a registered attorney or agent to notify the Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline of any change of his or her address is separate from the obligation to file a notice of change of address in individual applications.