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.
The USPTO has a specific process for handling requests for early delivery of patents. According to MPEP 308:
“Ordinarily the patent grant is delivered to the correspondence address of record. However, a patentee may request in writing before the issue date that the patent grant be delivered to another address or to an assignment recordation branch of the USPTO for recordation of an assignment, provided a fee is paid for the service.”
This means that:
- Patentees can request early delivery of their patent grant
- The request must be made in writing before the issue date
- A fee is required for this service
- The patent can be delivered to an alternative address or to the assignment recordation branch
Early delivery requests are typically made when there’s an urgent need to record an assignment or to obtain the physical patent document for business purposes.
For more information on patent grant, visit: patent grant.
For more information on USPTO procedures, visit: USPTO procedures.