Official Gazettes, Annual Indexes (of Inventors), the Manual of Classification and its subject matter index, and other search aids are available in various formats.

Patent assignment records of transactions affecting the ownership of patents, microfilmed deeds, and indexes are also available.

Official Gazettes, trademark assignment records of transactions affecting trademark ownership, microfilmed deeds, and indexes are also available.

Location

Public Search Facility - Madison East, 1st Floor
600 Dulany St.
Alexandria, VA 22314

Parking in Alexandria
Daily and hourly parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the East Garage from 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except Federal holidays. Use the John Carlyle St. entrance only. The parking garage is locked at 10:30 p.m.

Customers will receive a ticket each time they enter the garage and will pay each time they leave the garage. Lost tickets pay maximum daily rate. Daily customers may pay in cash or by credit card (no checks).

Metro Directions to Alexandria Facility
The King St. station is served by yellow and blue line trains. The Eisenhower Ave. station is served by yellow line trains. The Public Search Facility is at lobby level in the East Wing of the Madison Building in the center of the complex.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SMART card ID badges are required to pass through security access checkpoints in either Public Search Facility. Badges are obtained from the USPTO Security Service Center in room 1C51 on the lobby level of the Madison building at the Alexandria campus from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors must present a valid photo ID to be issued an access badge.

Reference Assistance
Trained Staff are available to assist users with questions during all open hours at no charge.

On-line Service Cards
On-line Service Cards are used to access on-line systems. These may be obtained at either Search Facility Reception Desk on a user's first visit. A valid government issued photo ID, such as a driver's license with a current address, must be provided to verify user information.

Fees
There are no fees for use of automated systems.

On-line print fees of $0.25 per page, $0.50 per page from color printers, are collected at the workstation via on-line UPWS accounts.

Microfilm print fees and self service photocopies are $0.25 per page using a USPTO debit card. Purchase debit cards on-site at the Cashier Window.

Cashier Window
Funds may be added to on-line accounts and existing debit cards at the Search Facility Cashier Window. New debit cards are issued with a one-time fee of $1.00 per card. Cash, checks, credit cards, and USPTO deposit accounts are accepted.

Public Training
Training is recommended before patrons use the on-line examiner search systems. See the training schedule below or call 571-272-3275.

To enroll in a class, public users may apply in person at the Public Search Facility, on-line, or by mail.

Complete the training registration form (see links below) indicating your first and second choice of class dates. You will be notified of your confirmed class date.

Mail class registration form to:

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
ATTN: PSF Public Training
Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

Arrive one half-hour before class to obtain an On-line Service Card and password at the Public Search Facility in Alexandria. Bring a photo ID with your current home address, such as a driver's license or a passport.

This WEST patent class covers all basic text search features, from keyboard and Boolean logic to command functions and index searching.  Practice time is also included.  This is a seven-hour class given once a month.

Application for WEST Training [PDF - 14 KB]

Examiner Assisted Search Tool (EAST)

The EAST patent class is a fast-paced course for users with on-line database and Boolean logic experience.  Text searching using indexes and the use of the browser screen for rapid patent retrieval.  This is a four-hour class given once a month.

Application for EAST Training [PDF - 14 KB]

Trademark X-Search

X-Search is the automated search and retrieval system for U.S. Trademark text and/or designs.  A three-hour training course is conducted at least once a month.  The X-Search class is recommended, but not mandatory, before accessing the trademark system.

Application for X-Search Training [PDF - 12 KB]

Public user training is held at the Alexandria campus. Please report to the Public Search Facility in Madison East one half-hour before class so you may obtain an On-line Service Card and password.

REMOTE ACCESS

Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries
The nation-wide network of Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs) offer access to patent and trademark reference materials and search tools. Trained staff are available to assist public users.

To locate a PTDL near you, visit the USPTO web site at Patent and Trademark Depository Library Program (PTDLP) page or call 800-786-9199.

Internet Access
Patent and trademark data is searchable on the internet without coming to the USPTO campus. See the USPTO web site at www.uspto.gov.

The Patent database has patent images from 1790 to the current week of issue retrievable by patent number and current U.S. Patent Classification, and text searchable from 1975 to the current issue week.

Public PAIR (Patent Application and Information Retrieval) offers access to approximately 500,000 patent applications not covered by confidentiality laws. New applications are added to the database 18 months after filing. See our PAIR Portal.

Track the status of a public patent application as it moves from publication to final disposition, and review documents in the official application file, including all patent examiner decisions. A quick-click feature for ordering certified copies of patent applications and application files is included on the site.

The Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) contains pending, registered, and dead trademarks. See TESS.

The Public Search Facility bulletin, Searching Patent and Trademarks [PDF - 42.5 KB], provides public users with information about facilities and collections.

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