Certified and uncertified copies

We will supply a copy of a patent or patent application, upon request and payment of the relevant fee. You can also access the register on-line GB Esp@cenet and get patents information free of charge.

Certified copies give proof that we issued them.  You get a copy certified with a signature and seal.

Uncertified copies are photocopied documents.

What type of copy do I need?

You must use certified copies;

• When applying for a patent abroad;
• When needed as evidence in a court of law, for example, if you are involved in legal action to enforce or defend your patent rights;
• to prove details about a patent or application

You can use uncertified copies for your personal reference or research.

Request a copy

Use form Patents Form 23 (24Kb) to request a certified or uncertified copy of a patent or patent application.  You can request uncertified copies of more than one payment or patent application on one form, but you must use a separate form for each certified copy.  If you are using the copy to apply abroad, you must tell us which countries.

Costs and how to pay

• certified copy £20
• uncertified copy £5
• A fee sheet must be filed with all fee bearing forms.  Details of the various methods of payment and how to complete a Fee Sheet (FS2) (47Kb) are also available.

Send your completed form 23, FS2 fee sheet and payment to:

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

If you require an uncertified copy from a published UK patent or patent application you also have the option to use our  Certified and uncertified copies web form to request electronic uncertified copies which are copies e-mailed to you in a PDF file format.