Opt-in option for courtesy ceremonial copies of eGrants
On April 18, 2023, the USPTO transitioned to electronic patent grants (eGrants), ending the granting and mailing of U.S. patents in paper form. Since that time, the USPTO has provided courtesy ceremonial copies of eGrants automatically to all patentees.
Many applicants have indicated they do not use the courtesy ceremonial copies of the eGrant and have asked to receive them only when needed. In response to this customer feedback—and to better align resources with demand—the USPTO will offer applicants an opt-in option to receive a courtesy ceremonial copy of the eGrant. This change is expected to reduce printing and mailing costs by approximately $2.5M per year. This will allow the USPTO to better focus resources on services that matter most to our stakeholders, while maintaining easy access for those who still want a courtesy ceremonial copy of the eGrant.
Beginning on March 9, 2026, applicants must check the Ceremonial Copy box on the PTOL-85 Part B when paying the issue fee to receive a courtesy ceremonial copy of the eGrant. After March 9, 2026, courtesy ceremonial copies will only be sent to those who opt in or to customers who pay the issue fee prior to the date. For a limited time, if your application is subject to the new opt-in process and you did not check the Ceremonial Copy box on the PTOL-85 Part B at the time of issue fee payment but would like to receive one, you may email a request to eGrants@uspto.gov with the patent number by June 9, 2026. If deemed a proper request, we will send one courtesy ceremonial copy of the eGrant to the correspondence address of record.
As a reminder, the eGrant is the official statutory patent grant; the ceremonial copy is a commemorative item only. Other copies, including presentation copies and certified copies, continue to be available from the Certified Copy Center. The eGrant may be accessed through Patent Center.
Additional information is available on the USPTO eGrants webpage and will be available in the OG Notice posted on the USPTO’s Patent Related Notices webpage in due course.
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