New options for more secure authentication

Your account security is important to us. To strengthen the security of your USPTO.gov account, we will no longer accept email as a form of verification after October 31. If you currently use email as your account authentication method, please switch to one of the methods outlined below by November 1.

Please note that you will still need to provide an email address when you first establish a USPTO.gov account.

For more information, please see our USPTO.gov accounts page for details about accessing our online services and read through our multifactor authentication FAQs.

Listed below are several MFA options available. For Okta Verify or other authenticator options, you must download, install, and configure the method on your device.

Okta Verify

Our agency uses the Okta platform to securely connect you to our applications and tools. Okta Verify is a free application to help confirm your identity when signing in to your USPTO.gov account. When using this authenticator, you will receive a code from Okta and use it with your password.

You will have to download and configure Okta Verify and set up the application on your devices. For more information, see the Okta Verify help page.

To enroll in Okta Verify, you'll want to read through these sample instructions specific to your device's operating system:

If you have questions about registering or configuring Okta Verify for your USPTO.gov account, you can send an email to OktaVerify.Help@uspto.gov.

If you have an iPhone, you can also watch this short video for step-by-step instructions on setting up Okta Verify.

Authenticator applications

Authenticator applications can be downloaded to your mobile or desktop device to help prove your identity. If an unauthorized user attempts to log into your account, the app notifies you and denies them access.

Time-based one-time password (TOTP) is the mechanism an authenticator app uses to generate short-lived authentication codes when you access our systems. If you are unable to log in within the timeframe, you’ll receive another code to enter when prompted.

If you don’t have an authenticator app, you can download and install one on your smartphone or other device. There are many authenticator apps that use TOTP, including Google Authenticator, Authy, Duo Security, Microsoft Authenticator, Okta Verify and others. You will have to research the options to decide which one works best for you.

Security keys or biometric authenticators

A security key is a hardware device you can use when you log in to our systems. Instead of entering a code after a password, you tap or insert a security key into your phone or computer to confirm your identity. Fast Identity Online (FIDO2) is the current standard for these devices. You must choose a device that complies with this standard. For information, read the FIDO Alliance’s webpage How Passkeys Work.

Note: This device must be purchased.