How does the USPTO handle Inauguration Day for patent deadlines?

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.

Inauguration Day (January 20, every 4 years) is treated as a legal public holiday for employees in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas, according to MPEP 710.05:

“Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 6103(c), Inauguration Day (January 20, every 4 years) ‘is a legal public holiday for the purpose of statutes relating to pay and leave of employees . . .’ employed in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas.”

If Inauguration Day falls on a Sunday, the next day selected for observance is considered a legal public holiday. However, there is no specific provision for Inauguration Day falling on a Saturday. For patent deadlines, Inauguration Day would likely be treated as a federal holiday, extending deadlines to the next business day.