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.

Beginning on March 9, 2026, in order to better align with patentees’ preferences and to reduce printing and mailing costs by approximately $2.5M per year, the USPTO will no longer be providing courtesy ceremonial copies of eGrants. These ceremonial hard copies will only be available to patentees by either: (a) opting in when paying the issue fee or (b) paying a small fee after grant.

As a reminder, the eGrant is the official statutory patent grant; the ceremonial copy is a commemorative item only.

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.