Patent Cooperation Treaty

Forms

• Chapter I
• Chapter II
• National stage (U.S.) 

Fees

• Current PCT fees  

The USPTO has made every effort to ensure that the PCT forms and information available on this site are accurate and up-to-date. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the forms and information being downloaded and used in connection with any international application are accurate and current.

• Patent Cooperation Treaty
• PCT regulations
• PCT Administrative Instructions and Modifications
• PCT Receiving Office Guidelines
• PCT Search & Examination Guidelines
• PCT Gazette

• FAQ's about PCT (including an overview of the PCT process)
• PCT Applicant's Guide
• Chapter 1800 of MPEP
• PCT Contracting States (PDF) with Country Codes
• PCT time limits calculator
• Time limit for National/Regional Phase
• Instructions for accessing WO documents (PATENTSCOPE User Guide)
• Where to file communications
• Faxing international application papers to the USPTO
• Various forms
• WARNING: Fraudulent requests for payment of fees
  • Non-WIPO solicitations
  • Non-USPTO solicitations
• ISA Limited Competency (PDF)
• PCT Newsletter
  • Practical advice: different options available for furnishing priority documents
  • Practical advice: situation where it may be beneficial to indicate inventor(s) as applicant(s)
• PCT Task Force Meeting
• Introduction to PCT (GIPA IP e-learning module)

PCT and Sequence Listing (SL)

• Sequence Listing Resource Center (ST.25 & ST.26)
• July 2009 Administrative Instruction Changes
• Instructions & Examples of filled-out Request with SL for PCT applications filed before July 1, 2022
  • Conventional Request (PCT/RO/101)
  • PCT-SAFE/EASY

The USPTO’s Patent Electronic System, which currently comprises Patent Center, may be used to file an international application in the United States receiving Office (RO/US) and to file a U.S. national stage of a PCT application under 35 U.S.C. 371.  Registered users of the Patent Electronic System may also use the system to file follow-on materials in such applications. Below are links providing useful information regarding the use of the Patent Electronic System in international and national stage applications:  

• File on Patent Center
  • Patent Center User Guide

Correspondence address used for filing new international applications, responses to invitations, demands, national phase entry paper, etc.

Mail Stop PCT
Commissioner for Patents
PO Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

Hand delivery address* used for filing new international applications, responses to invitations, demands, national phase entry paper, etc. by delivery services (Federal Express (Fed Ex), UPS, DHL, Laser, Action, Purolator, etc.)

United States Patent and Trademark Office
Customer Service Window, Mail Stop PCT
Knox Building
501 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

* The Customer Service Window is located in room 1D80 of the Knox Building.   The hours of operation will be 8:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except holidays and if the USPTO is closed for inclement weather or an emergency.

Correspondence and hand delivery addresses used for filing petitions and other legal matters in international applications and national phase applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 371.

Correspondence Address

Mail Stop PCT
Attention: International Patent Legal Administration
Commissioner for Patents
PO Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

Hand Delivery Address

United States Patent and Trademark Office
Customer Service Window, Mail Stop PCT
Attention: International Patent Legal Administration

Knox Building
501 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Address for PCT Operations customer service for inspecting files located in PCT PALM locations. Customer should call 703-756-1800 to make arrangements to inspect a file.

PCT File Inspection Location

File Information Unit
Randolph Square Building
Room 3A20
2800 South Randolph Street
Arlington, VA 22206

• Hague Agreement concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs
• PCT and Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)
  • Global/IP5 and other PPH Pilot Programs
• World Intellectual Property Organization
• European Patent Office
• Korean Intellectual Property Office
• IP Australia

Email list

The IPLA maintains an email list to notify PCT customers of updates to the forms and other information on these pages. You may request to be placed on this list.  The USPTO privacy policy governs use of this list.

PCT Helpdesk

The PCT Helpdesk, which provides information and assistance on the PCT process, can be reached at (571) 272-4300 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or by fax at (571) 273-0419.  For petitions and other legal matters, IPLA may be reached by fax at (571) 273-0419 and PCT Operations may be reached by fax at (571) 273-8300.

Additionally, any general PCT related inquires which are NOT case-specific or time-sensitive may be emailed to PCTHelp@uspto.gov.  This email address has been established on a one-year pilot basis effective January 1, 2022.  See Establishment of a USPTO Email Box for Submitting General Questions Related to the Patent Cooperation Treaty and Applications Filed or Submitted Thereunder, 1493 OG 212 (December 7, 2021).

Feedback

Comments and suggestions relating to the forms and information available on this site may be emailed to Harry Kim, faxed at (571) 273-0419, or mailed to:

Mail Stop PCT
Commissioner for Patents
PO Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450