Applying for a UK patent online - guidance notes
If
this is the first time you have applied for a patent or if you are unfamiliar with the process,
please read Patents Essential Reading 
(974Kb) and Patents Application
Guide (3.02Mb) before you apply.
Important
You should not web file if:
- Your application contains information about military technology or could harm national security or public safety.
- You intend to restrict the availability of samples of biological materials to experts using Form 8A.
- You wish to pay for your filing by cash, cheque or bank transfer
Patent forms
This web filing service allows you to complete the following.
| Form | Description |
|---|---|
| Form 1 | Apply for a patent and, as required, upload your description,
drawings,
claims, abstract, digitally signed priority document(s) (US
only), covering letter and if applicable request retrieval of priority documents from Priority Document Access Service (PDAS). This application fee is eligible for a reduction if it is paid at the same time as submitting the Form 1 using this web filing service. |
| Form 3 | Make a late declaration of priority and upload supporting evidence for the request |
| Form 7 | Provide a statement of inventorship and derivation of rights details when there is an applicant who is a company and/or an inventor who is not an applicant and/or an applicant who is not an inventor |
| Form 9A | Request a search This form is eligible for a fee reduction when filed using this web filing service. |
| Form 10 | Request a substantive examination This form is eligible for a fee reduction when filed using this web filing service. |
| Form 23 | Request a copy of the application as filed, certified with a signature and seal |
PDF documents
- If you are not relying on a previous application for your description, as a minimum* you must file a description and any associated drawings but you should also consider filing your claims and abstract.
- If drawings are filed they must be in a separate PDF document.
- The
description, claims (if any) and abstract
(if any) may be filed as separate PDF documents or as
one PDF document.
*If one PDF document is used, claims must be filed and the PDF document should contain the description, claims and abstract (if any), in this order and with each section starting on a new page, whose number you will need to provide when filing. - All other documents (for example, covering letter, evidence, digitally signed US priority document) should be filed as separate PDF documents.
Priority documents
The World Intellectual Property Organization operates an electronic depository for priority documents called the Priority Document Access Service (PDAS). Upon request the Intellectual Property Office can obtain copies of priority documents which have been made available from PDAS. With consent the Intellectual Property Office can supply a copy of your application to PDAS to be used as a priority document.
Consent to share results
We would like to share results with other patent offices to promote high quality, efficient patent processing worldwide. If asked for these results before publication of your application we cannot provide them without your consent. Any shared results will not be made public through the other patent office before your application is published in the UK.