The Patent Electronic Business Center (EBC) assists customers with the various Patent Electronic Systems which include filing and reviewing their electronic patent application submissions via Patent Center, as well as supporting customers using Patent Public Search. The Electronic Business Center proudly serves the IP community with extended daytime and after-hours technical assistance on a wide range of support topics related to these systems.
Check the System Alerts pages for announcements of all planned and unplanned outages of all USPTO Online Business systems.
| Telephone: | 1-866-217-9197 (toll-free) 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday |
| E-mail: | ebc@uspto.gov |
| Fax: | 571-273-0177 |
| Postal Address: | Mail Stop EBC Commissioner for Patents PO Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 |
New to Patents?
Please first review the New Users section and Frequently Asked Questions for introductory information about the various USPTO Patent Electronic Systems and tools.
How We Can Help
The EBC offers in-depth technical support to external users of the USPTO's Patent Electronic System, Patent Center. We offer one-on-one support, online electronic filing information, instructional material, support and is available to assist users through one-on-one support during its normal business hours. The EBC also serves as a liaison in directing customers to other USPTO organizations that can address their specialized business issues and needs.
If you are having a problem with a system on the website, you are experiencing a problem after regular USPTO business hours, or you are not even exactly sure what is wrong, our staff of highly trained customer support specialists can help you identify the root problem, assist you, direct you to the appropriate call center, or escalate your issue to a specialized group as needed. We are here to help!
Major Support Areas
- Submitting your Patent Application and viewing Application information via Patent Center
- Searching for Patents in Patent Public Search
- Patent Electronic System Verification Form and Customer Number Issues and Assistance
- USPTO.gov account authentication for Patent Center including Web Browser Problems
- Technical Problems or Errors with your Patent Application
- PDX/DAS Registration Inquiries and Issues
- Technical Problems with Biotech Tools such as PatentIn and Checker
Becoming a Registered USPTO.gov Account User
A Customer Number and a registered USPTO.gov account are required to take full advantage of the Patent Electronic Systems. The EBC also assists customers in managing customer number associations with addresses and filed applications.
Related Forms
- Patent Electronic Verification Form [PDF, 63kB] Instructions [73kB PDF Document]
This form is used to register your USPTO.gov account which will provide you the means to gain secure access to your application information as well as public domain info. - Customer Number Request form [fillable PDF, 208kB]
This form is used to request a customer number.
New - Customer Number requests can now be submitted online via Patent Center using the Manage tab where you will immediately receive your new number - see the Patent Center User Guide for more information. - Request for Customer Number Data Change [filllable PDF, 180kB]
This form is used to request changes in current customer number information. - Customer Number Upload Spreadsheet [MS Excel, 241kB]
This is a spreadsheet template used to associate your customer number with your applications.
One can additionally file a change of correspondence address form PTO/AIA/122 or PTO/SB122 to an individual application to change the correspondence address to a customer number.
New – Correspondence and Maintenance Fee address changes can now be submitted online via Patent Center using the Manage tab - see the Patent Center User Guide for more information.
*Address changes made via Patent Center are only available to registered practitioners who have been given power of attorney in the application. - Request to Update a PCT Application with a Customer Number form [MS Word, 34.5kB]
This allows you to associate a PCT application in the International phase with a Customer Number for purposes of viewing the PCT application in Patent Center.
Additional Info
- Patent Electronic System Access Document serves as a source document for additional information on the components for accessing the patent electronic system.
- Patent Electronic System Subscriber Agreement (Nov2018) for USPTO.gov Users for Patent Center
- The Patent Center page provides useful information, including User Guides for download