What information is required when submitting a maintenance fee payment?

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.

When submitting a maintenance fee payment, certain identifying information is required. According to MPEP 2515:

• The patent number
• The application number of the United States application for the patent

Additionally, the following information should be provided:

• The fee year (3 1/2, 7 1/2, or 11 1/2 year fee)
• The amount of the maintenance fee and any surcharge
• Any assigned customer number
• Whether entity status is being changed or claimed with the payment

For reissue patents, both the reissue patent number and the original patent number should be included.