The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international treaty with more than 150 Contracting States. The PCT makes it possible to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in a large number of countries by filing a single “international” patent application instead of filing several separate national or regional patent applications. The granting of patents remains under the control of the national or regional patent offices in what is called the “national phase”.PCT News and AnnouncementsForms, fees, and information for international stage (Chapter I and II) and U.S. national stageFormsChapter IChapter IINational stage (U.S.) FeesCurrent PCT fees The USPTO has made every effort to ensure that the PCT forms and information available on this site are accurate and up-to-date. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the forms and information being downloaded and used in connection with any international application are accurate and current.Legal resources and information including the treaty, regulations, and guidelinesPatent Cooperation TreatyPCT regulationsPCT Administrative Instructions and ModificationsPCT Receiving Office GuidelinesPCT Search & Examination GuidelinesPCT GazetteHelpful resources to assist applicants navigating the PCT processFAQ's about PCT (including an overview of the PCT process) (PDF)PCT Applicant's GuideChapter 1800 of MPEPPCT Contracting States (PDF) with Country CodesPCT time limits calculatorTime limit for National/Regional PhaseInstructions for accessing WO documents (PATENTSCOPE User Guide)Where to file communicationsFaxing international application papers to the USPTOVarious formsWARNING: Fraudulent requests for payment of feesNon-WIPO solicitationsNon-USPTO solicitationsISA Limited Competency (PDF)ROSPATENT-ISA/IPEA Information Sheet (PDF)PCT NewsletterPractical advice: different options available for furnishing priority documentsPractical advice: situation where it may be beneficial to indicate inventor(s) as applicant(s)PCT Task Force MeetingIntroduction to PCT (GIPA IP e-learning module)PCT and Sequence Listing (SL)July 2009 Administrative Instruction Changes Instructions & Examples of filled-out Request with SLConventional Request (PCT/RO/101)PCT-SAFE/EASYFiling a PCT application using EFS-WebThe USPTO’s EFS-Web electronic filing system may be used to file an international application in the United States receiving Office (RO/US) and to file a U.S. national stage of a PCT application under 35 U.S.C. 371. Registered users of EFS-Web may also use the system to file follow-on materials in such applications. Below are links providing useful information regarding the use of EFS-Web in international and national stage applications: File on EFS-WebNew international application under the PCT may be submitted using EFS-WebFollow-on for an existing international applicationFirst submission for a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371 may be submitted using EFS-WebImportant remindersHelp and tutorialsFAQ'sFiling a new PCT applicationFiling a communication with RO/US or ISA/USFiling a demand for Chapter II ExaminationFiling a communication with IPEA/USAssociating an international application filed under the PCT with a Customer NumberPreparing the PCT-SAFE.zip for fully electronic filing with RO/US using EFS-WebSequence Listing (SL) and EFS-WebFilled-out conventional request (PCT/RO/101)Filled-out PCT-SAFE/EASYAddressesCorrespondence address used for filing new international applications, responses to invitations, demands, national phase entry paper, etc.Mail Stop PCTCommissioner for PatentsPO Box 1450Alexandria, VA 22313-1450Hand delivery address* used for filing new international applications, responses to invitations, demands, national phase entry paper, etc. be deliver services (Federal Express (Fed Ex), UPS, DHL, Laser, Action, Purolator, etc.)United States Patent and Trademark OfficeCustomer Service Window, Mail Stop PCTRandolph Building401 Dulany StreetAlexandria, VA 22314* The location for the Customer Service Window is on the first floor of the south side of the Randolph Building with street level access from Ballenger Avenue.Correspondence and hand delivery addresses used for filing petitions and other legal matters in international applications and national phase applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 371.Correspondence AddressMail Stop PCTAttention: International Patent Legal AdministrationCommissioner for PatentsPO Box 1450Alexandria, VA 22313-1450Hand Delivery AddressUnited States Patent and Trademark OfficeCustomer Service Window, Mail Stop PCTAttention: International Patent Legal AdministrationRandolph Building401 Dulany StreetAlexandria, VA 22314Address for PCT Operations customer service for inspecting files located in PCT PALM locations. Customer should call 703-756-1800 to make arrangements to inspect a file.PCT File Inspection LocationFile Information UnitRandolph Square BuildingRoom 3A202800 South Randolph StreetArlington, VA 22206Related sitesHague Agreement concerning the International Registration of Industrial DesignsPCT and Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)Global/IP5 and other PPH Pilot ProgramsWorld Intellectual Property OrganizationEuropean Patent OfficeKorean Intellectual Property OfficeIP AustraliaRospatentCustomer supportEmail listThe IPLA maintains an email list to notify PCT customers of updates to the forms and other information on these pages. You may request to be placed on this list. The USPTO privacy policy governs use of this list.PCT HelpdeskThe PCT Helpdesk, which provides information and assistance on the PCT process, can be reached at (571) 272-4300 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or by fax at (571) 273-0419. For petitions and other legal matters, IPLA may be reached by fax at (571) 273-0459 and PCT Operations may be reached by fax at (571) 273-8300. FeedbackComments and suggestions relating to the forms and information available on this site may be emailed to Harry Kim, faxed at (571) 273-0419, or mailed to:Mail Stop PCTCommissioner for PatentsPO Box 1450Alexandria, VA 22313-1450The International Patent Legal Administration (IPLA), part of the USPTO’s Office of International Patent Cooperation, educates and assists the patent community, develops policy, and resolves legal issues relating to the PCT and other international cooperative patent projects or agreements, including the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs and the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH). The IPLA decides petitions to the Commissioner in international applications filed under the PCT and in U.S. national stage applications submitted under 35 U.S.C. 371. To learn more about the PCT, visit the PCT frequently asked question page of the WIPO website.Some contents linked to on this page require a plug-in for PDF File.Back to Top
