The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is introducing the modern identity verification platform called ID.me to Patent Center users. Our goals in implementing this platform are to further simplify the application process, create efficiencies, and bolster enforcement against outside threats. 

The ID.me verification process can be completed entirely online, eliminating the need for a notary and resulting in fewer extraneous customer costs. ID.me substantially expedites the verification process, enabling users to complete identity verification within 30 minutes. Customers using ID.me can then self-enroll into Patent Center and immediately begin using all available features.  

Additional benefits of ID.me include: 

• Fraud Mitigation: Reduces the risk of bad actors fraudulently accessing your account 

• Data Security: Offers increased cyber security for Patent Center to further protect application data 

• Efficiency: Enables faster self-enrollment for Patent Center access 

• Convenience: Allows users to use the same ID.me identify proofing for both trademarks and patents filing systems (users who have already completed the ID.me identity verification for Trademark Center do not have to go through the process again and can immediately complete the self-enrollment process in Patent Center) 

Identification verification through ID.me is voluntary, and customers still have the option to mail a Patent Electronic Verification form to become a new Patent Center authenticated user. 

For guidance on identity verification using ID.me and the self-enrollment process in Patent Center, please visit the Getting Started – New users webpage on the USPTO website.