Pro Se Assistance Program
The patent process is a complex set of laws, regulations, policies and procedures; therefore, the USPTO always recommends using a registered patent attorney or agent to assist in preparing your application. The USPTO also recognizes that the cost of legal assistance is prohibitive for many applicants, particularly independent inventors and small businesses. The Pro Se Assistance Program is dedicated to help independent inventors and small businesses meet their goal of protecting valuable intellectual property.
The Pro Se Assistance Program provides outreach and education to applicants (also known as "pro se" applicants) who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent. USPTO employees cannot give legal advice. However, through increased assistance and resources for independent inventor and small business communities, the program aims to increase the quality of pro se applications and assist pro se applicants with making informed decisions regarding their patent applications.
Why is educating yourself about intellectual property protection important?
Intellectual property protection is critical to safeguard products and services from imitation, attract and secure funding from outside investors and promote the overall commercial success of any enterprise. In addition, the value of a patent is largely dependent upon skilled preparation and prosecution. Educating yourself is an important first step to develop an intellectual property strategy that can yield substantial economic benefits for your company and endeavors.
Patent process training
To assist applicants at all stages of the patent examination process the Office of Patents Stakeholder Experience (OPSE) also provides ongoing education:
Tools for filing an application
- Intellectual Property introduction, specifically understanding the various types of Patents and an overview of the patent prosecution process
- Basics of prior art searching, provides an overview for the need to conduct a prior art search, Identify pertinent prior art and examples of publically available prior art databases
- Provisional application overview and the requirements for filing a provisional application
- Nonprovisional application overview and the requirements for filing a nonprovisional application
- Patent Center Overview - provides details on how to file an application in Patent Center.
Quick Clinic Video Series
Knowledge packs for pre-filing
General information
What is a patent?
A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right (ownership) to an inventor(s) and issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Generally, the term of a new patent is 20 years from the date on which the application for the patent was filed in the United States.
- U.S. patent grants are effective only within the United States, U.S. territories, and U.S. possessions
- See more information about patents
What different types of patent applications can be filed?
There are three types of patent applications that can be filed:
- Utility patent application: may be filed by anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. For further details, please see the Utility Patent Application Guide.
- Design patent application: may be filed by anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. For further details please see the Design Patent Application Guide.
- Plant patent application: may be filed by anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant. For further details, please see the Plant Patent Application Guide.
The difference between the "protection of an article via a utility patent" and the "protection of an article via a design patent" is that a utility patent protects the way an article is used and works, while a design patent protects the way an article looks. Both design and utility patents may be obtained on an article if invention resides both in its utility and ornamental appearance.
How much does it cost to file a patent application?
There are various fees associated with filing a patent application. A patent application is subject to the payment of a basic filing fee and additional fees that include a search fee, an examination fee, and issue fee. The fees vary with the type, content, and size of the application being filed and the entity status of the applicant.
- See fees for filing a patent application. There is a basic filing fee associated with the type of application (utility, design, or plant) being filed.
- A reduction in fees may be obtained based on the applicant's entity status (small entity or micro entity). An applicant may determine their entity status based on meeting certain requirements.
- All fee payments, including fees for the processing of international applications, shall be made in U.S. dollars and in the form of the following:
1. Cashier’s or certified check
2. Treasury note
3. National bank notes
4. United States Postal Service money order
5. Credit card
- Payment by credit card must specify the amount to be charged to the credit card and other information necessary to process the charge. The USPTO will not accept a general authorization to charge fees to a credit card. If credit card information is provided on a form or document other than the USPTO Credit Card Payment form, the USPTO will not be liable if the credit card number becomes public knowledge.
More information on application fee completeness can be found in section 509 of the MPEP.
Is there assistance available for independent inventors, small business owners, and university-affiliated inventors having limited resources and needing help applying for a patent?
The Pro Se Assistance Center provides educational programs to independent inventors and university-affiliated innovators. OID oversees the Pro Se Assistance Program for applicants filing without the help of a registered patent attorney or agent, and offers a one-on-one service for applicants at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. OID also provides videos and presentation slides of past inventor info chats that can assist applicants with patent filing. OID may be contacted at 1-866-767-3848 or ProSeAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov.
The Office of Enrollment and Discipline oversees two programs that provide
applicants with free options for acquiring intellectual property protection:
- The Patent Pro Bono Program is a nationwide network of independently operated academic and nonprofit organizations that endeavor to match volunteer patent practitioners with financially under-resourced inventors seeking patent protection. Inventors and small businesses that meet qualifying criteria, including certain economic and financial thresholds, may be eligible for free income-based legal assistance in preparing and filing a patent application. Each program organization administers locally and has their own requirements.
- The Law School Clinic Certification Program allows applicants to obtain pro bono legal assistance in both patent and trademark matters from law students enrolled in a participating law school's clinic program. Each student is allowed to practice intellectual property law before the USPTO under the strict guidance of a law school faculty clinic supervisor. Each school has its own criteria for accepting clients. View the list of participating schools on the Law School Clinic Certification Program page.
What can and cannot be patented?
Utility patents can be obtained for any new, useful, and non-obvious process. These processes are defined by "actions." An example is an invention that consists of a series of steps or acts to be performed.
A utility patent may also be obtained for machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. These categories define “things” or “products.” Examples of a process or method includes a semiconductor manufacturing process, a process of manufacturing a chemical, a pharmaceutical process or an industrial or technical process.
- The term “composition of matter” relates to chemical compositions and may include mixtures of ingredients (chemicals) as well as new chemical compounds. Examples may include a pharmaceutical drug or shampoo.
- An example of a machine may include a bicycle, an apparatus, or device.
- The term “manufacture” refers to articles that are made or manufactured. Examples may include a tire or an integrated circuit.
Plant patents can be obtained by an inventor who invents or discovers and
asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.
Design patents can be obtained by an inventor who invents a new, original, ornamental design for an article of manufacture.
For further details about Patent Subject Matter Eligibility, view section 2106 I of the MPEP.
A patent cannot be obtained for laws of nature, physical phenomena, and
abstract ideas. A patent cannot be obtained for a mere idea. A complete description of the actual machine or other subject matter for which a patent is sought is required.
Literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works cannot be patented; these may only be copyright protected.
For up-to-date guidance on patentable subject matter eligibility, view section 2106 I of the MPEP.
Regarding a utility patent, what is meant by new, non-obvious, and useful?
New (novelty) means that the claimed invention must be new: the claimed
invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in 35 U.S.C. 102.
Non-obvious means that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed
as set forth in section 35 U.S.C. 102, but the differences between the
claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as
a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the
claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the
claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the
manner in which the invention was made.
Useful (utility) means that the claimed invention accomplishes something or work, and/or produces a result. It requires that the invention is a well-established utility:
- A person of ordinary skill in the art immediately appreciates why the invention is useful, based on the characteristics, properties or applications of a product or process, of the invention, and
- The utility is specific, substantial, and credible.
For further details about guidelines for compliance with the utility requirement, see section 2107 of the MPEP.
What should an inventor do to determine if their invention is patentable?
Review the list of what can and cannot be patented and determine if your
invention falls into one of those categories. Review the description of patent types.
Learn the basics of the patent process: see General Information, What Can be Patented or contact the OID.
Search for all previous public disclosures (prior art) including, but not limited to, previously patented inventions in the U.S.:
- U.S. patents, and U.S. patent application publications,
- Foreign patents, and
- Printed publications, such as technical journals
While a search of the prior art before the filing of an application is not required, it is advisable to do so.
Is the use of an attorney or registered agent required?
No, the use of an attorney or registered agent is not required for filing a patent application. However, an attorney or registered agent is often a useful resource and the USPTO recommends the use of such for preparing a patent application and conducting the proceedings in the USPTO. To obtain a patent is an undertaking that requires knowledge of patent laws and rules and office practice and procedures, as well as scientific or technical knowledge involved in the particular invention. Please see General Information, Attorneys and Agents for more information.
The USPTO cannot recommend a particular attorney or agent, nor aid in the selection of an attorney or agent, as by stating, in response to inquiry that a named patent attorney, agent, or firm, is reliable or capable. The USPTO maintains a directory of registered patent attorneys and agents: to download the directory or locate a particular registered patent attorney or agent visit the Office of Enrollment and Discipline, Patent Practitioners page.
How can I determine if my invention has already been patented?
A preliminary search may be performed. The following assistance is available:
- The Public Search Facility – located in Alexandria, Virginia, the facility provides public access to patent and trademark information in a variety of formats. Trained staff are available to assist public users.
- Patent and Trademark Office Resource Centers (PTRCs) – located at libraries throughout the country, PTRCs provide library staff and information experts trained on how to search and how to use search tools to access patent and trademark information. Additionally, PTRCs provide programs and classes on intellectual property.
- Learn from the web-based tutorial, "How to conduct a preliminary search" and the 7-Step U.S. Patent Search Strategy Guide.
- A registered attorney or agent may also provide a search of an invention.
How is an application for patent filed?
A patent application can be filed via:
- United State Postal Service (USPS); address and mail patent-related correspondence matters to the Commissioner for Patents:
Commissioner for Patents
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
- Hand delivery to the USPTO in Alexandria, Va.:
USPTO
Customer Service Window
Knox Building
501 Dulany Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
- Patent Center
An additional fee (non-electronic filing fee) will be charged to applications mailed or hand delivered. However, design, plant, and provisional applications are not subject to the additional non-electronic filing fee and may continue to be filed by mail or hand-delivery without additional charge.
Note: Plant applications and related documents are not permitted to be filed via Patent Center.
Patent Center is the USPTO’s web-based patent application and document submission solution which allows anyone with a web-enabled computer to file an application and submit documents, in PDF form, without downloading special software or changing document preparation tools and processes. Electronic filing is also the only way to avoid the non-electronic filing fee for utility patent applications. An applicant does not have to be a registered user to file an application, and concurrently pay the application filing fees, with Patent Center; however, an unregistered user will not be able to file follow-on documents/fees in Patent Center, even subsequently on the same day.
For more information please visit About Patent Center.
The Patent Electronic Business Center is open Monday-Friday from 6:00 a.m. to midnight ET to provide technical assistance regarding the use of Patent Center.
How long after filing an application in Patent Center will an application number be assigned?
You are immediately assigned an application number upon filing. It is included on your electronic acknowledgment receipt. Additionally, most new applications submitted electronically can be viewed in Patent Center within an hour after filing. Note: applicants must be registered users to access Patent Center.
After filing an application, how long will it take for the application to be examined for patentability?
There are a number of variables in the determination of how long it takes for an application to be examined by an examiner. Use the First Office Action Estimator to determine approximate length of time for an application to be examined.
Is there a way to expedite the processing of a patent application?
The USPTO has several programs that will allow an application to be examined
early:
- Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Fast Track Examination of Applications speeds up the examination process of corresponding applications filed in participating intellectual property offices where at least one claim has been allowed in the corresponding application. No fee is required.
- Track One prioritized examination expedites the examination process of utility nonprovisional and plant applications (not available for design patent applications) for an additional fee. The goal is to provide a final disposition within 12 months of Track One status grant. The number of requests for Track One prioritized examination is currently limited to 12,000 in a fiscal year. A Track One request form and appropriate fees should be included with application filing.
- Petition to make special based on age will advance the examination of an application. The applicant must be at least 65 years of age to qualify. This petition has no fee.
What is the Notice of Missing Parts and the Notice of Incomplete Application and what services does the USPTO have to help with understanding and correcting them?
The Notice of Missing Parts will be sent to an applicant in the event that an essential filing requirement is found to be missing when an application is filed. Some examples of essential filing requirements are: appropriate filing fees, improper entity status, and improper priority claims.
A Notice of Incomplete Application is sent to an applicant when nonprovisional application papers are deemed incomplete. Essential filing papers are the specification, drawings, and claims. The filing date of the application will be the date the corrections are made. More information on application completeness can be found in section 506 of the MPEP.
The USPTO has a variety of services designed to provide assistance and to answer questions related to patent filing, patent examining, and USPTO services:
- The Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) provides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former supervisory patent examiners, experienced primary patent examiners, various intellectual property specialists, and attorneys who can answer general questions concerning patent examining policy and procedure. IAC can be reached: Toll-Free: 800-786-9199, Local: 571-272-1000, TTY/TDD: 800-877-8339.
- The Pro Se Assistance Center, provides dedicated personnel for assisting Pro Se applicants. The assistance provided may be done on a one-on-one basis at USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, or via telephone or email assistance. The Pro Se Assistance Center can connect applicants with relevant resources and information available either in person or online. The Pro Se Assistance Center can be reached at: Toll-Free: 1-866-767-3848 or ProSeAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
- OID conducts educational programs for independent inventors and university-affiliated innovators. In addition, it oversees the Pro Se Assistance Program for applicants filing without the help of a patent attorney. OID has past monthly Inventor Info Chat webinars that provide information to assist in filing, understanding the patent prosecution process, and services provided for applicants. OID can be reached by phone at 1-866-767-3848 and email at ProSeAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov.
- Application Assistance Unit (AAU) provides staff trained to assist in a broad range of questions and issues pertaining to pre-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) and post-examination processing of patent application by the Office of Data Management (ODM). AAU can assist with questions about status, filing receipts, missing parts letters, pre-examination and post-examination abandonment notices, express abandonments, power of attorney issues, and Oath and Declaration issues. AAU can be reached by telephone: Toll-Free: 888-786-0101, Local: 571-272-4000, or email at HelpAAU@uspto.gov.
Provisional application
What is a provisional patent application?
A provisional application for patent (provisional application) is a U.S. national application filed in the USPTO for utility and plant inventions. Design inventions are not eligible for filing provisional applications. A provisional application is considered a placeholder application, which provides the means to establish an early effective filing date in a later filed nonprovisional patent application. It also allows the term "patent pending" to be applied in connection with the description of the invention.
A provisional application has a pendency lasting 12 months from the date the provisional application is filed. The 12-month pendency period cannot be extended. It should be noted that provisional applications are not examined. An applicant who files a provisional application must file a corresponding nonprovisional application for patent during the 12-month pendency period of the provisional application in order to benefit from the earlier filing of the provisional application and to retain any patent pending notice.
Requirements for filing a provisional application:
- A detailed written description of the invention including drawings. Although a filing date may be obtained regardless of whether drawings are submitted, applicants shall furnish a drawing(s) necessary for the understanding of the subject matter to be patented
- Title of the invention
- Name(s) of all inventors
- Inventor(s) residence(s)
- Name and registration number of attorney or agent and docket number (if applicable)
- Correspondence address
- Indication of any U.S. government agency that has a property interest in the application
- Filing fees, which can be found on the fee schedule page
- Cover sheet or a cover letter, form PTO/SB/16, pages 1 and 2. A version of SB/16 is available at Patent Center. An Application Data Sheet (ADS) may be used as the provisional application cover sheet
A provisional application filing guide is available.
Is my invention protected if I file a provisional application?
No. A provisional application, is only considered a placeholder application. It provides a means to establish an early effective filing date in a later filed nonprovisional patent application. Provisional applications are not examined. An applicant who files a provisional application must file a corresponding nonprovisional application for patent to eventually protect their invention.
Nonprovisional application
What is a nonprovisional patent application?
A nonprovisional patent application is an application for a patent that is examined by a patent examiner and may be issued as a patent, if all the requirements for patentability are met.
Requirements for filing a nonprovisional application:
- The nonprovisional application includes:
- Specification providing a detailed written description of the invention
- Drawing(s) when necessary. Applicants are advised to file with the application any drawings necessary for the understanding of the invention
- Claim(s)
- Abstract of the disclosure
- Title of the invention
For further details, see content of provisional and nonprovisional applications, section 601 I of the MPEP.
- Utility Patent Application Transmittal form or transmittal letter, Form PTO/AIA/15
- Application Data Sheet, form PTO/AIA/14
- Appropriate fees, which can be found at fee schedule. The Fee Transmittal form PTO/SB/17 may be used to calculate the prescribed filing, examination, and search fees, any excess claim fees or application size fee
- Executed Oath or Declaration: either form PTO/AIA/01 or form PTO/AIA/08
A nonprovisional application filing guide is available.
What is the purpose of a claim?
The claim defines the scope of the invention. A patent is granted based on the patent claim(s) that define the patent protection and the limits of what the patent does and does not cover.
The claim(s) must particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter that the inventor(s) regard as the invention.
One or more claims may be presented in dependent form, referring back to and further limiting another claim(s) in the same application.
Each claim should be a single sentence, and where a claim sets forth a number of elements or steps, each element or step of the claim should be separated by a line indentation.
For further details see Claim(s) at 37 C.F.R. 1.75.
How is a claim drafted?
The Office of Innovation Development has a monthly Inventor Info Chat series which provides inventors with information on topics that assist with applying for a patent. The Inventor Info Chat Claim Drafting presentation, held on Feb. 15, 2018, includes the basic structure of a claim, examples, questions to ask regarding your invention when drafting a claim set, and one approach to claim drafting.
What is the drawing requirement?
At least one drawing is required if it is necessary for understanding the subject matter to be patented. Please review General Information, Drawing. For further details see section 608.02 of the MPEP, Drawing.
Petition (revive an abandoned application)
A petition, along with all necessary fees, must be filed to revive an application that is unintentionally abandoned. Please use form PTO/SB/64. Petitions may be filed via United States Postal Service (USPS) or as an ePetition. An ePetition has the benefit of secure filing with auto-grant, saves time when immediate petition decisions are needed, and increases the accuracy by providing immediate feedback. Additional information may be found on the ePetition Resource page.
FAQs
Can I request to have my application sent to the Pro Se Art Unit?
No. Right now the applications are randomly selected.
How is a change (amendment) made to the specification?
An amendment to the specification (description) of an application requires: a marked-up copy, a clean copy, and a statement that the amendment does not contain new matter. However, irrespective of whether the statement related to new matter is included or not, new matter may not be added, 37 CFR 1.121(f). For more information see section 714, Amendments, of the MPEP.
Amendments to the specification can be made in several ways:
- Amendments to delete, replace, or add a paragraph
The marked-up copy should include an underline of all additions to the specification and a strike through of all deletions from the specification.
Example: The current invention is directed to a chair having four legs extending at an angle from the bottom of acircularsquare chair base.
- Amendments by replacement of a section where the specification contains section headings
The clean copy is a copy of the “new” specification which incorporates all changes and is presented as the specification should read.
Example: The current invention is directed to a chair having four legs extending at an angle from the bottom of a square chair base.
- Amendments by substitute specification
The statement of no new matter is a statement filed with the substitute specification stating that no new matter has been added. It should be noted that any subject matter added to specification that was not already supported in the originally filed application materials is considered “new matter”.
Example: The substitute specification contains no new matter.
How is an amendment to claims made?
Amendments to claims are made in a similar manner as to the specification:
- The text of any added subject matter must be shown by underlining the added text
- The text of any deleted subject matter must be shown by strike-through. However, if a strike-through cannot be easily perceived then the text of any deleted subject matter must be shown by being placed within double brackets
- The status of every claim must be indicated after its claim number by using one of the following identifiers in a parenthetical expression: (Original), (Currently amended), (Canceled), (Withdrawn), (Previously presented), (New), (Not entered)
- New claims may be added with the status listing as “New”
- When an entire claim is canceled, the text for that claim should not be presented and the status listing of the claim should be “Canceled”
How is an amendment to the drawings made?
One or more application drawings shall be amended in the following manner:
- Any changes to an application drawing must be submitted on a replacement sheet of drawings which shall be an attachment to the amendment document and, in the top margin, labeled “Replacement Sheet”
- Any replacement sheet of drawings shall include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is amended
- Any new sheet of drawings containing an additional figure must be labeled in the top margin as “New Sheet”
- All changes to the drawings shall be explained, in detail, in either the drawing amendment or remarks section of the amendment paper
Where are patent forms located?
How is power of attorney changed?
A change in power of attorney can be made using form AIA/80 or form AI/81. Instructions for completing the Power of Attorney form are available for guidance and understanding the purpose.
How can the Pro Se Assistance Center help an applicant with the understanding and filing of a patent application?
The Pro Se Assistance Center in the Office of Patents Stakeholder Experience provides assistance as follows:
- Email assistance at ProSeAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
- Telephone assistance at 1-866-767-3848 for the following issues:
- Assistance with pre-filing questions including an explanation of the types of applications and fees.
- Assistance with form completion and filing.
Prior Inventor Info Chats
Pro se resources
The following listings of resources are not exhaustive of all the educational materials available to pro se applicants on www.uspto.gov, but provides consolidated access to educational information addressing common questions received from applicants at various stages of the patent examination process.
Prior to filing
- Patent process overview – General overview of the patent application and maintenance processes
- Utility patent application filing guide – Basic information about filing a utility patent application, including arrangement of papers
- Utility patent application filing checklist – Checklist of most commonly required elements in a utility (nonprovisional) patent application
- Design patent application filing guide – Basic information about filing a design patent application
- Provisional application information – Basic information about a provisional patent application, including filing requirements
- Understanding the Application Data Sheet (ADS) – Presentation on information and tips for filing an ADS
- Patent Center registration – Steps required to become a registered Patent Center user
- Claim drafting assistance* – Presentation on claim format and drafting strategy. *Fees mentioned are subject to change
- Legal assistance programs – Information on programs providing free legal assistance for applying for a patent
- Search for patents – Basic information on search strategies and tools
- Petitions to make special – applicant’s age or health – General requirements of petitions to make special based on an applicant’s age or health
- Applicant vs. inventor – Advice article on choosing and/or changing an applicant
- Common mistakes on forms – Tips to avoid some common mistakes on the ADS and micro entity certification forms
During examination (after filing)
- Sample amendment format – Example of how to format your response to an Office Action
- Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form – Request an interview with your examiner
- Interview practice – Guidance on conducting an effective interview with your examiner
- Responding to Office Actions – Types of actions and where to submit responses
- Patent Center – Check the status of your application and review the file history
- Proper and improper signature examples – Examples of how to properly sign papers submitted to the USPTO
After final rejection (prosecution closed)
- Appeals information – Information about appeals on adverse decisions of examiners, conducted by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)
- After Final Consideration Pilot (AFCP) 2.0 – Information on the requirements of AFCP 2.0 requests
- Application initiatives – after close of prosecution – Information on various initiatives available after the close of prosecution
- Request for Continued Examination (RCE) – Information on filing an RCE
- Pre-appeal – Information on the requirements of filing a pre-appeal brief
After allowance or abandonment
- Maintain a patent – Information on maintenance, including fees
- Instructions for responding to a Notice of Abandonment – Options for attempting to continue prosecution after abandonment
- Issue fee payment requirements – Information on paying issue fees
Contact pro se assistance
For general inquiries, questions about your application, or other pro se matters, the Pro Se Assistance Program can be contacted in a variety of ways:
Email: ProSeAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov
Toll free phone number: 1-866-767-3848
Post mail:
Pro Se Assistance, Mail Stop 24
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
One-on-one assistance (by appointment):
One-on-one assistance is available via video conference or telephone. Pro se personnel are available to meet with applicants to answer patent-related questions and assist in filing their applications. Inventors may take advantage of one-on-one assistance by contacting the Pro Se Assistance Center to schedule an appointment; use the below information to phone, email, or click the appointment button below:
For an appointment:
Please call 1-866-767-3848 or email ProSeAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov.
Schedule an appointment
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ET Monday-Friday
The Pro Se Assistance Program is closed on federal holidays.
Note: The Pro Se Assistance Program will not be accepting appointments during federal holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the day after Christmas, nor during mandatory building closures due to inclement weather.
Additional contact information:
Other assistance centers and web pages, such as Office of Petitions, Electronic Business Center and PCT applications are available to applicants and can be found at contacts for application questions.