The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international treaty with more than 150 Contracting States. The PCT makes it possible to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in a large number of countries by filing a single “international” patent application instead of filing several separate national or regional patent applications. The granting of patents remains under the control of the national or regional patent offices in what is called the “national phase”.
PCT News and Announcements
Forms, fees, and information for international stage (Chapter I and II) and U.S. national stage
Forms
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.
Legal resources and information including the treaty, regulations, and guidelines
Helpful resources to assist applicants navigating the PCT process
- 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
- ISA Limited Competency (PDF)
- PCT Newsletter
- 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
Filing a PCT application using Patent Electronic System
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:
Addresses
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
Related sites
Customer support
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
The International Patent Legal Administration (IPLA), part of the USPTO’s Office of International Patent Cooperation, educates and assists the patent community, develops policy, and resolves legal issues relating to the PCT and other international cooperative patent projects or agreements, including the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH). The IPLA decides petitions to the Commissioner in international applications filed under the PCT and in U.S. national stage applications submitted under 35 U.S.C. 371.
To learn more about the PCT, visit the PCT frequently asked question page of the WIPO website.
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