609.02(e) Changing the Correspondence Address After Registration
As noted in TMEP §609.01, the USPTO reestablishes the correspondence address upon the examination of an affidavit under §8, §12(c), §15, or §71 of the Trademark Act, a §9 renewal application, or a §7 request, even if there is no new power of attorney or request to change the correspondence address. The USPTO will update its Trademark database to indicate the name of the qualified practitioner who filed the affidavit, renewal application, or §7 request, and update the correspondence address to that of the qualified practitioner. 37 C.F.R. §§2.17(g)(2) and 2.18(c)–2.18(c)(2). If the registrant is not represented by a qualified practitioner, the USPTO will update its Trademark database to indicate the registrant’s address as shown in the affidavit, renewal application, or §7 request as the correspondence address of record. See TMEP §604.02 regarding the duration of recognition as a representative.
Once the USPTO establishes a correspondence address upon examination of an affidavit, renewal application, or §7 request, a written request to change the address is required to effect a change of address during the pendency of that filing. 37 C.F.R. §§2.18(b)(2) and (c)(2); TMEP §604.02. See TMEP §609.02(b) regarding the requirements for a written request to change the correspondence address.
Owners of registrations are encouraged to promptly notify the USPTO of any changes of address. 37 C.F.R. §2.18(b)(1). To expedite processing, the USPTO recommends that the notice of change of address be filed through TEAS, at http://www.uspto.gov. The TEAS form can be used to change the correspondence address on any registration that is currently active, but requires submission of the original application serial number rather than the registration number. When the notice is filed through TEAS, the data from the form is inputted directly into the USPTO’s Trademark database.
The USPTO will not process a request to change the correspondence address in a cancelled or expired registration, unless submitted in conjunction with a petition or request for reinstatement of the registration. When a registrant files a request to change the correspondence address in a cancelled or expired registration, the USPTO simply places the request in the record.
See TBMP §§117–117.08 for information about correspondence in Board proceedings and TMEP §604.03 regarding change of attorney.