Patents Ombudsman Services
The Patents Ombudsman provides assistance to applicants and attorneys throughout the application process including initial filing, patent examination, and post examination. We assist applicants when the normal processing has stalled, helping to get applications 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) or TC Directors.
We also provide assistance on the merits where there is an issue with Case Prosecution Concerns, such as:
- Claim Objections
- After-Final Practice
- Claim Rejections
- Restrictions
Application Status Information
To get the status of your patent application or an estimate of when you will receive a first Office action. Please access the following two links.
Contact Us for Assistance
- We can be reached by telephone at 571-272-5555 or 855-559-8589. Our hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET.
- You can complete the online form below and, within one business day, you will receive a phone call from a Patents Ombudsman representative who will ask for further details regarding the issue for which you are requesting assistance.
- Contact us via e-mail at PatentsOmbudsmanProgram@uspto.gov
You can also reach us at 571-272-5555 or 855-559-8589, Hours 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET.
For More Information
If you have any feedback, questions or comments regarding the Ombudsman Program, please email PatentsOmbudsmanProgram@uspto.gov.
View our Patents Ombudsman Flyer.
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