GOV.UK
Apply for a patent
Use this service to apply for a UK patent through the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
Patents are expensive and difficult to get. Read the guide to patenting your invention if you’ve not applied before.
Start now on the Intellectual Property Office service
Use European Patent Office online services instead if you register European patents frequently (including in the UK) - you’ll need an IPO deposit account.
Read the guide to patenting your invention for details of:
- supporting documents you must prepare - the PDFs you upload for your application mustn’t be more than 20MB in total
- search and examination requests - if you choose to include them now
Fees
You can pay fees online with a credit or debit card, or by using an IPO account.
You can wait until after you apply to request and pay for your search and examination. You can also wait to pay the application fee but it costs more.
If you want to pay by cheque, cash or bank transfer, you must apply by post - but the fees are higher.
About this service
You’ll need an email address to apply online.
Sometimes the service is unavailable between 1am and 3am (UK time).
You can’t use this service if your invention is military technology or could harm national security.
By post or fax
Apply for a UK patent by completing an application form and sending it by post or fax.
You can send your supporting documents and request your search and examination with your application, or up to 12 months later.
Send all forms and a fee payment form for the correct total to:
Intellectual Property Office
Concept House
Cardiff Road
Newport
South Wales
NP10 8QQ
United Kingdom
Intellectual Property Office
Fax: 01633 817 777