What happens after I submit a request for a Certificate of Correction?

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.

After submitting a request for a Certificate of Correction, the process is as follows:

1. The request is forwarded to the Certificates of Correction Branch of the Office of Data Management.
2. It is listed in a permanent record book.
3. The Certificates of Correction Branch determines if an error has been made, the responsibility for the error, and whether it justifies issuing a certificate.
4. If necessary, the case may be forwarded to the appropriate group for a report.
5. If no certificate is to be issued, the patentee is notified, and the request and related documents are entered into the file history.
6. If a certificate is to be issued, it is prepared and forwarded to the requester by the Office of Data Management.

The MPEP states, “If a certificate of correction is to issue, it will be prepared and forwarded to the person making the request by the Office of Data Management. In that case, the request, the report, if any, and a copy of the letter transmitting the certificate of correction to the person making the request will be entered into the file history.“