How should I submit correspondence that requires immediate USPTO attention?

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.

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