The USPTO strongly encourages electronic filing through Patent Center and Trademark Center, but faxing remains valid for certain situations – particularly during system outages, when meeting tight deadlines, or for assignment recordings.
Important: New patent applications, PCT national stage entries, and correspondence related to applications under secrecy orders cannot be submitted by fax under any circumstances.
USPTO Fax Numbers by Department
Patent Fax Numbers
| Department | Fax Number | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Central Fax (Primary) | (571) 273-8300 | Most patent correspondence, office action responses, general petitions |
| Office of Petitions (Urgent) | (571) 273-0025 | Urgent petitions to withdraw from issue, petitions to defer issuance |
| Assignment Recordation | (571) 273-0140 | Recording assignments and documents affecting title (patent and trademark) |
| Electronic Business Center | (571) 273-0177 | Customer number requests and changes |
| Office of Finance | (571) 273-6500 | Refund requests, deposit account inquiries, maintenance fee payments |
| PCT Helpdesk | (571) 273-0419 | International application correspondence |
| Public Records Division | (571) 273-3250 | Requests for certified copies |
| Licensing and Review | (571) 273-0185 | Foreign filing license petitions |
| Office of General Counsel | (571) 273-0099 | Correspondence to General Counsel |
| Office of the Solicitor | (571) 273-0373 | Correspondence to the Solicitor |
| Office of Enrollment and Discipline | (571) 273-0074 | OED correspondence |
Trademark Fax Numbers
| Department | Fax Number | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Trademark Petitions Office | (571) 273-8950 | Trademark petitions and emergency filings |
Trademark faxing is heavily restricted. You can only fax trademark documents when: (1) USPTO staff has instructed you to do so, (2) the systems status page shows an unexpected widespread outage, or (3) you haven’t completed identity verification and your deadline is today. Even during outages, Madrid Protocol correspondence, TTAB correspondence (except notices of ex parte appeal), and requests for cancellation or amendment under section 7(e) cannot be faxed.
How to Fax Patent Documents
Your fax submission should include:
- Application or patent number clearly identified on each page
- Cover sheet with your name, contact information, and the application/patent number
- Certificate of transmission (for deadline-sensitive submissions)
- Fee payment authorization if fees are required (deposit account number or credit card form PTO-2038)
For most patent correspondence, fax to (571) 273-8300. For urgent petitions to withdraw from issue, fax to (571) 273-0025 and mark your cover sheet “Special Processing Submission”.
Certificate of Transmission
For deadline-sensitive submissions, include a signed certificate:
I hereby certify that this correspondence is being facsimile transmitted to the USPTO at [fax number] on [date].
Signature: _______________________
Name: _______________________
Date: _______________________
This provides proof of your filing date. Responses faxed with a signed certificate will be credited with the transmission date even if received slightly later due to transmission delays.
How to Fax Trademark Documents
- Download the USPTO’s trademark fax cover sheet from uspto.gov
- Complete the Petition to Director form (available on the USPTO form previews page)
- Include all required fees – you pay the electronic filing fee amount, not the paper filing fee
- Sign all forms including the fax cover sheet
- Fax to (571) 273-8950
Faxing Assignment Documents
Recording assignments by fax offers faster processing than mail. Fax to (571) 273-0140 – the system accepts transmissions around the clock.
Your submission must include:
- An identified patent application, patent number, or trademark registration number
- A single cover sheet for a single type of transaction
- Fee payment via USPTO deposit account or credit card (using form PTO-2038)
Assignments submitted with newly filed patent applications cannot be faxed separately – they must accompany the application.
Recordation notices are automatically faxed back to the sending number. If a document is not recordable, the USPTO will fax back the entire document with a Notice of Non-Recordation. Timely resubmission of corrected documents preserves your original receipt date.
Receipt Dates and Confirmation
All USPTO fax deadlines use Eastern Time. Submissions arriving by 11:59 p.m. ET receive that day’s filing date. Transmissions received on Saturday, Sunday, or federal holidays receive the next business day as the receipt date.
The USPTO does not send formal acknowledgment of faxed documents. Your fax machine’s transmission confirmation is your proof of filing. The USPTO maintains daily activity logs that can be used as evidence if disputes arise.
PayPerFax Benefits for USPTO Faxing
- No charges for failed faxes – you only pay when your fax goes through successfully
- Secure transmission with SSL encryption for sensitive legal documents
- Instant confirmation reports documenting successful delivery
- No subscriptions required – pay only for what you send
- PDF upload – send your documents directly without printing
FAQ
Can international applicants fax to the USPTO? Yes, for document types that can be faxed. Use +1 before the number for international dialing.
Is there an extra fee for faxing to the USPTO? The USPTO doesn’t charge extra for fax submissions. You still owe applicable filing fees for the documents submitted.
How do I know my fax was received? Your fax machine or online fax service provides a transmission confirmation. Monitor your application status in Patent Center or TSDR to confirm documents appear in your file.
What if I fax to the wrong number? Documents sent to the wrong number may not be processed or may be significantly delayed. Resend to the correct number immediately and contact the relevant USPTO department.
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