What Is a Priority Document?
The application as filed is your patent application exactly as originally submitted to the USPTO. A certified copy of it — used to claim the benefit of that earlier US filing date in a later foreign or PCT application — is the priority document. These are deadline-driven: in the PCT system, the certified copy generally must be furnished within 16 months of the priority date. Miss it and you can lose your priority claim, so timing matters. The same applies to trademark applications — a certified copy of the application as filed can be required to support a foreign priority claim under the Paris Convention.
Fee Sheet
| Service | Fee |
|---|
| Certified Copy Fees |
| 1 (first document) | $100 |
| 2 – 4 save $70 each | $30 each |
| 5 – 10 save $75 each | $25 each |
| 11 – 15 save $80 each | $20 each |
| Add-Ons |
| Expedited handling | $250 |
| Document scanning per page | $1.00 |
| Combo Services |
| Certified Copy + Apostille 1 doc, 1 step | $250 |
| Certified Copy + Consular Legalization 1 doc, 1 step | $350 |
Maximum 15 documents per order. Fees shown are our service fees only and do not include USPTO/SoS government fees or shipping. Additional documents or legalization steps are priced at standard legalization rates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Certified Applications as Filed & Priority Documents
It is the USPTO's official, sealed certified copy of a patent application exactly as it was originally filed. When used to establish an earlier filing date in a later foreign or PCT application, this certified copy is known as a "priority document."
A priority document is a certified copy of an earlier application (the application as filed) submitted to a foreign patent office or the PCT to claim the benefit of that earlier filing date. In the PCT system the certified copy generally must be furnished within 16 months of the priority date.
Yes. Standard USPTO processing is currently about 2–3 weeks, so for deadline-driven priority documents we can request at-cost expedited processing (typically within about a week) with supporting documentation showing the foreign filing deadline.
Usually not for the PCT or offices that accept USPTO certified copies directly, but some jurisdictions require an apostille. We can add apostille or consular legalization when your destination requires it.
