e-Filing

Before the advent of the Internet all patent filing and responses to Notices and Actions was done by US Mail, usually by Express Mail. It is still possible for you to file your applications and follow-up papers by US Mail, but that is time consuming, labor intensive, and prone to error. It is very highly recommended that you e-file applications and follow-up papers in examination.

We are assuming for the purpose of this tutorial that you have followed our suggestion and have become a Registered User with the USPTO. If this is so. you have a Username and a Password to log in to MyUSPTO with two-factor authentication. This means that as a art of the log-in process you will be sent a code by either your cell phone or email (your choice).

When you log in to MyUSPTO you will see a landing page with six tabs across the top: “Patents” “Trademarks”
“Fees and Payment” “Contact Us” and “MyUSPTO”.

Select the drop-down menu under Patents, which has links for a variety of functions.

Select “File Patents (EFS-Web)” in the drop-down menu, and you will go to a page that describes the many function
and use of EFS-Web, and has a link “EFS-Web for Registered eFilers”. Selecting that link as a Registered User
transfers you to the Filing Portal which guides you to identify yourself and to elect to file a new application or to file
papers in an existing application.

The links now are automatic, and you need only follow the instructions carefully to file the papers you need to file.

Again, as with any other new procedure, it will be more difficult the first time, and practice will smooth the road for you.