The return postcard should contain a detailed list that identifies each type of document and the number of pages of each document. Upon receipt at the USPTO, the detailed list on the postcard will be compared to the actual contents of the delivery.
Any discrepancies between the detailed list and the actual contents will be noted on the return postcard. The postcard will be initialed and date stamped by the person at the USPTO who received the delivery.
Documents In General
When preparing the detailed list of documents identified on the postcard, it is important to include the following identifying information:- the application number (if known)
- the confirmation number (if known)
- the filing date of the application (if known)
- the title of the invention
- the name of the inventor or inventors
Patent Applications
If the postcard is submitted with a patent application, the detailed listing should include the following items:- the title and number of pages of each USPTO form
- the number of pages of specification (excluding claims)
- the number of claims and the number of claim pages
- the number of figures of drawing and the number of sheets of drawings
- whether an oath or declaration statement is included and the number of pages
- the type and number of other documents that are included and the number of pages of each document
- the amount of payment and the method of payment (i.e., check, credit card, money order, or deposit account)
When the self-addressed postcard is submitted with a utility patent application, the USPTO will stamp the postcard being returned to the addressee with both the receipt date and the application number before placing it in the outgoing mail.
Upon receipt of the returned postcard, the addressee should promptly review the postcard to ensure that all documents and all pages were received by the USPTO.
Express Mail & Filing Dates
A patent application delivered by the “Express Mail Post Office to Addressee” service of the United States Postal Service (USPS) will be considered filed with the USPTO on the date of deposit with the USPS.The date of deposit with the USPS is shown by the “date-in” on the “Express Mail” mailing label or other official USPS notation. If the USPS deposit date cannot be determined, however, the correspondence will be accorded the Office receipt date as the filing date.
Before depositing an application with the Post Office, it is important to place the number of the “Express Mail” mailing label on the application papers.
Only one application should be mailed in a single “Express Mail” package.
