Guidance

How to file documents with the Intellectual Property Office

Updated 1 April 2026

File patent documents 

File by email, by post or in person 

Patents forms and fees 

Do not send us physical examples, models or prototypes of your invention. Do not use the online service if your patent application contains information about military technology or could harm national security or public safety. There are special arrangements for filing patent applications which need national security checks. 

File patent applications under section 22 of the Patents Act 

Patent applications where directions under section 22 of the Patent Act are required, for example when a government department, foreign government or classified government contract requires secrecy, should be filed in person between 9am and 5pm in envelope marked ‘For the attention of Room GR70’. 

You should also tell the receptionist that the application is for GR70 rather than the usual Front Office. 

File online with the European Patent Office (EPO) 

Filing at the EPO can enable you to seek patent protection across multiple countries at the same time. You can use its system to file: 

• European patent applications 

• International Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent applications and other documents 

Find out more about filing with the EPO on the EPO website. If you need help or have questions, call 0300 300 2000. 

File with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) using ePCT 

ePCT is the WIPO’s secure online service for filing international PCT patent applications. Find out more about ePCT on the WIPO website. 

File with the Priority Document Access Service (PDAS) 

The IPO offers patent applicants a Priority Document Access Service (PDAS). 

Through PDAS, the IPO files priority documents for patent applications with WIPO’s digital access service. When applicants claim priority with other national patent offices, these offices can access the relevant priority documents directly via WIPO. 

For more about PDAS, email PDAS@ipo.gov.uk. 

File design and trade mark documents 

File online 

You can use our services to file documents online if you want to: 

• apply to register a design 

• apply to register a trade mark 

• apply to renew a design or trade mark 

File by email, by post or in person 

For all other tasks you’ll need to fill in a form, for example to update design details or defend a trade mark. 

Trade marks forms and fees 

Designs forms and fees 

You can send forms to us by email or post, or deliver them in person. 

How to email documents to the IPO 

To help us process your email as quickly as possible, put the following in the subject line: 

• the form number 

• the IP right number 

• your own reference (optional) 

Add a hyphen between each one, for example: TM16-UK00002345678-P1234. 

Send documents to forms@ipo.gov.uk and follow the formatting guidelines. 

Email formatting guidelines 

• send plain text emails (HTML or encrypted emails may be blocked) 

• attach any supporting documents to the same email as your form 

• attach all files as PDFs (other formats should be saved to CD/DVD and posted) 

• ensure attachments do not exceed 35MB (larger files must go on CD/DVD and be posted) 

• if you have more than one form to file, use a separate email for each form 

Electronic signatures 

We will accept typed or electronic signatures on forms and other documents that you file by email. 

Fees 

The fees for filing by email are the same as the fees for filing by post or in person. To pay reduced fees, use our online services where available. 

IPO address for post and visitors 

The IPO’s address is: 

Intellectual Property Office 
Concept House 
Cardiff Road 
Newport 
South Wales 
NP10 8QQ 
United Kingdom 

We accept documents in person 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please book an appointment before you arrive by calling the information centre on 0300 300 2000 or +44 (0)1633 814000 if you’re outside the UK.