What is a fee address and how do I establish one for maintenance fee purposes?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-29

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.

A fee address is a designated address for correspondence related to maintenance fees. To establish a fee address for maintenance fee purposes, you should use the “‘Fee Address’ Indication Form,” Form PTO/SB/47.

MPEP 2595 states: “The following forms are suggested when submitting a maintenance fee or establishing a fee address for maintenance fee purposes. […] and ”Fee Address’ Indication Form,’ Form PTO/SB/47.”

Establishing a fee address ensures that maintenance fee communications are sent to the correct location, which may be different from the correspondence address for other patent matters.

Topics: MPEP 2500 - Maintenance Fees MPEP 2595 - Forms Patent Law Patent Procedure
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