How should I submit correspondence that requires immediate USPTO attention?

For correspondence that requires immediate attention from the USPTO, such as certain petitions or time-sensitive documents, the following methods are recommended:

1. Use the USPTO patent electronic filing system (EFS-Web or Patent Center). This is the preferred method for most immediate correspondence.
2. Where permitted, use facsimile transmission to the appropriate area of the Office.
3. Hand-carry the documents to the USPTO in Alexandria, VA.

The MPEP states: Applicants are encouraged to transmit these types of correspondence by the USPTO patent electronic filing system (see MPEP § 502.05). Where permitted, patent-related correspondence that requires immediate Office attention may also be submitted to the appropriate area of the Office for processing by facsimile transmission (see MPEP § 502.01, subsections I.B and II) or hand-carried (see MPEP § 502), subsection III).

Examples of correspondence requiring immediate attention include:

• Petitions for express abandonment to avoid publication
• Petitions to withdraw an application from issue
• Requests for expedited examination of a design application
• Certain papers required by the Office of Data Management

To learn more:

• immediate correspondence
• USPTO
• electronic filing
• facsimile
• hand-delivery