What is a Deposit Account?

For the convenience of attorneys, agents and the general public in paying fees for products and services, pre-paid deposit accounts may be established with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This eliminates the need to submit a check, credit card, or other payment type each time a fee is required. Further, in an instance of miscalculation of a fee due, the balance required may be charged to the account with authorization, thus preserving the filing date of the application.

How do I establish a Deposit Account?

You may establish a deposit account by completing a Deposit Account Application Form, or by sending correspondence along with your initial deposit and the fee required to establish the account to the following address:

Mail Stop 16
Director of the US Patent and Trademark Office
PO Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

Please include the following information in your correspondence:

• Name of Deposit Account Holder
• Attention line (if applicable)
• Street address
• City, State and Zip Code
• List of authorized users

Visit the Deposit Account Rules and Information page if you require additional information about deposit accounts, the types of deposit accounts offered by the USPTO, or initial deposit account payment amounts and the fees required to establish an account.

How do I change users who are authorized to use my Deposit Account?

You may change users who are authorized to use your deposit account by using one of the following options:

• Visit the Office of Finance On-line Shopping Page and use our fast, easy and secure way to maintain your deposit account on-line, including the ability to change authorized users.
• Send the requested changes to the address above or fax your request to the Deposit Account Branch at (703) 308-6778. For your security, requests to change the authorized users list must be signed by a current authorized user of the subject deposit account.

It is the responsibility of the deposit account holder to keep the USPTO informed of all individuals or organizations that are authorized to make charges against the deposit account. For your security, only requests signed by persons on the authorized users list will be processed.

What are the fees associated with establishing and maintaining a Deposit Account?

There are different fees associated with establishing and maintaining each of the three types of Deposit Accounts offered by the USPTO:

Unrestricted: This type of account allows account holders to charge any fee or service offered by the USPTO. Account holders must maintain a minimum balance of $1,000 on the last business day of each month. If the account balance is below that amount, the account will be assessed a $25 service charge for that month. The minimum amount required to establish this account is $1,010, of which $10 is the fee charged for establishing the account.

Restricted: This type of account allows deposit account customers to order and charge payment for copies of U.S. patents and trademarks, patent subscriptions, and Electronic Ordering Service (EOS) orders to their accounts. Account holders must maintain a minimum balance of $300 on the last business day of each month. If the account balance is below that amount, the account will be assessed a $25 service charge for that month. The minimum amount required to establish this account is $310, of which $10 is the fee charged for establishing the account.

Universal Public Work Station (UPWS) / X-Search: This type of account is to be used by deposit account customers exclusively for automated patent and trademark searching at the the USPTO facilities in Arlington, Virginia. The minimum amount required to establish this account is $310, of which $10 is the fee charged for establishing the account. No minimum monthly balance is required.

How do I replenish my Deposit Account to ensure that the required minimum balance is maintained?

You may make replenishments to your deposit account as often as you like using one of four replenishment payment options offered by the USPTO. Please visit the Deposit Account Replenishment Options page to find out about our fast, easy and secure way to replenish your deposit account over the Internet, and the other options available for replenishing your deposit account.

How do I close my Deposit Account?

You may close your deposit account by sending correspondence to the address above, or by faxing your request to the Deposit Account Branch at (703) 308-6778. You may also contact the Deposit Account Branch at (571) 272-6500 or send an email to DaAdmin@uspto.gov and request that a "Deposit Account Closure Request Form" be mailed or faxed to you.

Please include the following information in your correspondence:

• Date
• Name (must be an authorized user)
• Deposit Account Number
• Name of Deposit Account Holder
• Name of Bank
• Name of Bank Account Holder
• Bank Routing Number
  
• Bank Account Number

There is a waiting period of six consecutive weeks with no activity (timeframe of no activity) before an account can be closed, in order to ensure that all outstanding charges are applied. If the account is currently inactive and has been for at least six consecutive weeks, the account will be closed immediately. The remaining balance in the account will be refunded to the customer's bank account by electronic payment. You will receive a letter from the USPTO to notify you of receipt of your request to close your deposit account and a confirmation letter to notify you when your account has been closed, the remaining balance to be refunded, and the expected timeframe for you to receive your refund.

What if I have questions about my Deposit Account?

If you have questions about your deposit account, please contact the Deposit Account Branch at (571) 272-6500, or send an email to DaAdmin@uspto.gov. You may also send your inquiries by mail to the address above or by fax to (703) 308-6778.

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