NL Patent Office

Filing possibilities

Patent applications can be filed in various ways.

The following options are available:

• On paper: this can be sent by post or handed in to NL Patent Office during opening hours 
• By fax
• Electronically (online filing)

Filing an application on paper
If an application is filed on paper, the date of application is the day on which you have handed this in to NL Patent Office. If you choose to send your application by post, the date of receipt of your application shall apply.

Filing an application by fax
If an application is filed by fax, the application date is the day on which the last page of the patent application is received by NL Patent Office.

Filing an application electronically
There are a number of advantages to filing electronically instead of using other forms of filing. This method is therefore becoming increasingly popular. For example, you receive a confirmation of receipt immediately, which also applies as the date of application.

Technical malfunction
If you file your application electronically, system failures could result in a delay in when your application is received and registered. In such cases, and certainly outside of office hours, the date of filing cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended that you fax your application instead. If you encounter a failure, please contact our public information office during office hours.