What is the status of my Application?
When will I get the First Office Action?
What users are saying about the Patents Ombudsman Program!
The Patents Ombudsman Program enhances the USPTO's ability to assist applicants or their representatives with issues that arise during patent application prosecution. More specifically, when there is a breakdown in the normal application process, including before and after prosecution, the Patents Ombudsman Program can assist in getting the application back on track.
The Patents Ombudsman Program is not intended to circumvent normal communication between applicants or their representatives and examiners or supervisory patent examiners (SPEs). To use the Patents Ombudsman Program, submit the electronic form below. For inquiries related to the examination process, please select one of the Technology Centers or the Central Reexamination Unit from the drop-down menu at the top of the form.
For other inquiries, please select "Ombudsman Program" from the drop-down menu. If you are an independent inventor or small business that filed without attorney or agent representation and have questions that do not relate to a previously filed application, you can select either the Technology Center where your application is being examined or the Office of Innovation Development from the list below.
At the bottom of this page is a list of other customer service numbers that are available to assist you.
For more information, you can view the frequently-asked questions on the Ombudsman Program, read the April 6, 2010, Federal Register notice announcing the Ombudsman Pilot Program, or read a transcript of the Aug. 18, 2010, Ombudsman Pilot Program Teleconference.
We look forward to assisting you.
We can be reached at:
571-272-5555 or 855-559-8589 toll free
Hours: M-F 8:30-5:00
or
Contact an Ombudsman using this form:
To contact a Technology Center (TC) Ombudsman, select the appropriate TC, fill in a contact name, phone number, and click on the “Submit” button. Within one business day, you will receive a phone call from the TC Ombudsman representative who will ask for further details regarding the problem for which you are requesting assistance.
If you have any feedback, questions or comments regarding the Ombudsman Program,
please email us at OmbudsmanProgram@uspto.gov.
| Office Contact Numbers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Office | Contact Information | Start Here for Help |
| General Information | 571-272-1000 or 800-786-9199 |
Contact the USPTO |
| Application Assistance Unit - Newly Filed Provisional, Utility, Design and Plant Patent Applications and Related Notices prior to examination in the Technology Center; Filing Receipt Questions; Pre Grant (Pending) Patent Application Publications; Powers of Attorney; Changes of Address; Express Abandonments; Post Allowance Status; Petitions to Revive Applications Abandoned after Allowance; Lost Grants or Patent Soft Copies; Listing a Patent for Sale in the Official Gazette (License or Sale); Certificates of Correction; Patent Copy Subscriptions. The AAU Call Center was merged from the former Office of Initial Patent Examination (OIPE) and the Office of Patent Publication (Pubs) call centers. | 571-272-4200 or 888-786-0101 |
|
| Assignment Recordation Branch - For help with following a new assignment or obtaining information on a pending assignment, questions on assignments, liens on patents, filing assignments, recordation forms, and trademark assignments |
571-272-3350 |
|
| America Invents Act Contact Center - For questions regarding the America Invents Act, including the new legal provisions and rules | 1-855-HELP-AIA (toll-free) 571-272-0300 HELPAIA@uspto.gov (email) |
|
| Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) - Status of pending appeals & oral hearing requests | 571-272-9797 |
|
| Central Reexamination Unit (CRU) - Reexaminations located in the CRU | 571-272-7705 |
|
| Certificates of Correction - How to correct a patent | 703-756-1814 |
|
| Electronic Business Center (EBC) - Customer support for electronic filing and PAIR access. Customer Numbers and digital (PKI) certificate issuance and maintenance | 571-272-4100 or 866-217-9197 |
|
| Enrollment & Discipline - The Patent Agent’s exam, registration | 571-272-4097 | |
| Finance, Receipts Accounting Division - Fee information & questions, Payment of maintenance fees, Deposit accounts, How to get a refund | 571-272-6500 |
|
| First Office Action Estimator - Check current estimates on how long it will take for a first office action on a patent application by entering an Art Unit or Class and Subclass associated with a current or potential application. | N/A |
|
| Office of Innovation Development - For Independent Inventors and Small Businesses – obtain general information about patents and other types of intellectual property before you file for protection. Information about searching for published patents and applications, what is needed in a patent application, what forms to use and what fees are required is provided. We also handle questions and/or complaints about Inventor Promotion Firms. | 866-767-3848 |
|
| Independent Inventors / Inventors Assistance Center (IAC) |
IAC: 800-PTO-9199 |
|
| Job Openings at USPTO - USPTO Jobs | 571-272-6000 or 800-786-9757 |
Careers with USPTO |
| Licensing & Review - Applications relating to national security | 571-272-8203 |
|
| Office of Patent Legal Admin (OPLA) - Rule changes, PG Pubs | 571-272-7701 | |
| Office of Patent Legal Admin (OPLA) - Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) or Extension (PTE) | 571-272-7702 |
|
| Office of Patent Legal Admin (OPLA) - Reexamination and Reissue | 571-272-7703 |
|
| PCT Helpdesk - Applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty | 571-272-4300 |
|
| Petitions - Petitions listed in MPEP section 1000 | 571-272-3282 |
|
| Office of Public Records - Patent and Trademark Copy Fulfillment Branch (OPR-PTCFB) - Copies of official U.S. Patent and U.S. Trademark documents are available for sale |
800-972-6382 (toll free) 571-272-3150 |
Administration of Patent/Trademark |
| Public Search Room - Search resources available to public | 571-272-3275 |
|
| Trademark Assistance Center - The Trademark Assistance Center (TAC) provides general information about the trademark registration process and responds to inquiries about the status of trademark applications and registrations. |
800-786-9199 |
Administration of Trademark |
Before Filing
Post Examination
During Examination
The Privacy Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-579) requires that you be given certain information in connection with the submission of your ombudsman request. Accordingly, pursuant to the requirements of the Act, please be advised that: (1) the general authority for the collection of this information is 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2); (2) furnishing of the information is voluntary; and (3) the principal purpose for which the information is used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is to process your submission related to a request for ombudsman assistance. If you do not furnish the requested information, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office may not be able to process your assistance request. Privacy Act Statement