2. Get a filing date
If you are already familiar with the process:
Create your patent application
On this page
Minimum requirements to get a filing date
We recommend that you fill out all portions of the patent application when filing. However, it is possible to get a filing date without a complete application. At a minimum, you must provide:
- an indication that you seek a patent for your invention
- information that allows the applicant to be identified (and co-applicants, if applicable)
- applicant contact information (and co-applicants contact information, if applicable)
- a description of your invention (in any language)
If your application doesn't meet filing requirements
If your application does not meet the minimum requirements to get a filing date, we will let you know what information is missing, and you'll have 2 months to respond.
- If you respond by the deadline, your filing date becomes the latest date that we received the last missing document that was a requirement to establish a filing date.
- If you don't respond by the deadline, your application will be deemed to never have been filed.
Fees
You need to pay the patent application fee when you file your application. If you don't pay your fee when you file your application, you'll get a filing date, but you'll be charged a late fee.
Accepted forms of payment
To pay your fees online, you can only use:
- a credit card ( during the online application process)
- your Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) deposit account
Online payments are processed Monday to Friday from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm (ET). For security reasons, your session will be timed out after 30 minutes if there is no activity.
File
To file your patent application and pay fees online, you need a My Canada Business Account.
Don't have an account? Visit the login page and follow the steps to create an account.
If you do not pay your fees or request examination when you file, you can do it later, but you'll have to use the general correspondence form.
Create your patent application
Other ways to file and pay fees
How to file by mail
Physical deliveries to the office should be directed to the following address:
Commissioner of Patents
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Place du Portage I
50 Victoria Street
Room C114
Gatineau QC K1A 0C9
How long it will take to get a filing certificate
You should get a filing certificate within 15 business days of CIPO receiving your application if it meets filing requirements.
All patent performance targets
How to pay
To pay by mail, you need to use the Fee form.
Complete your Fee form and mail it to:
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Finance, Integrated Planning and Administration
Place du Portage I
50 Victoria Street
Room C114
Gatineau, QC K1A 0C9
Accepted forms of payment
- Credit card
- Your CIPO deposit account
- Cheques or money orders
- Wire transfer
Learn more about our payment methods.
How to file in person
Bring your application and fees to a designated regional establishment (office).
The documents should be directed to the following address:
Commissioner of Patents
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Place du Portage I
50 Victoria Street, Room C114
Gatineau QC K1A 0C9
How to pay your fees
To pay in person, you need to use the Fee form. If you can't download a copy, we will have a paper copy you can use.
Pay your fees at our headquarters or a designated regional establishment (office).
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Place du Portage I
50 Victoria Street
Room C114
Gatineau, QC K1A 0C9
Our main office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (ET) (except statutory holidays).
Accepted forms of payment
- Credit card
- Your CIPO deposit account
- Cheques or money orders
- Wire transfers
- Debit card (only accepted at CIPO headquarters)
Learn more about our payment methods.
How to file by fax
You can fax your application to one of the following numbers:
- 819-953-2476
- 819-953-6742
The electronic transmittal report returned to you following your facsimile transmission is your acknowledgment receipt. Confidentiality of the facsimile transmission process can't be guaranteed.
How to pay your fees
You must include a Fee form with your application
Complete your Fee form and fax it to one of the following numbers:
Fax:
- 819-953-2476
- 819-953-6742
Note: Do not send a hard copy by mail, because this could result in you making 2 payments.
Accepted forms of payment
- Credit card
- Your CIPO deposit account
- Cheques or money orders
- Wire transfers
Learn more about our payment methods.
After you file
Wait for your filing certificate
If your application meets the filing requirements, we will send you a filing certificate that includes your:
- filing date
- patent application number
You should get a filing certificate within 15 business days of CIPO receiving your application When you get your filing certificate, it means your application is pending. It doesn't guarantee that you'll be granted a patent.
All patent performance targets
Translations
If you submitted your description in a language other than English or French, we will send you a notice asking you to submit a translation. You have 2 months from the date of notice to provide the translation.
Late fees
You must pay a late fee if you do not pay your fees on time. We will send you a notice to let you know that you must respond with the full fee payment plus the late fee. If you do not respond in time with the required fees, your application will be considered withdrawn.
Maintenance fees
While your application is pending and after it is granted, you need to pay annual maintenance fees. Learn how and when to pay patent and patent application maintenance fees.