Information Concerning Patents - CORRESPONDENCE

How to correspond with the United States Patent and Trademark office concerning patents and issues related to patent applications.
All business with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) should be transacted in writing and all correspondence relating to patent matters should be addressed to “ COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20231.” If a special mail box is appropriate, the special mailbox should also be used. Mail properly addressed to different mail boxes should be mailed separately to ensure proper routing. For example, after final correspondence should be mailed to “Box AF, Commissioner for Patents, Washington DC 20231,” and assignments should be mailed to “Box Assignments, Director- U.S. Patent and trademark OfFice, Washington D.C. 20231.” Correspondents should be sure to include their full return addresses, including zip codes. The principal location of the USPTO is Crystal Plaza 3, 2021 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, Virginia. The personal presence of applicants at the USPTO is unnecessary.
Applicants and attorneys are required to conduct their business with decorum and courtesy. Papers presented in violation of this requirement will be returned.
Separate letters (but not necessarily in separate envelopes) should be written for each distinct subject of inquiry, such as assignments, payments, orders for printed copies of patents, orders for copies of records, and requests for other services. None of these inquiries should be included with letters responding to Office actions in applications.