Documents filed through the trademark electronic filing system or the Board's electronic filing system are identified according to their type and require an application serial or proceeding number in order to relate the filing to a specific application or proceeding. These documents are automatically entered into the record of the appropriate application or Board proceeding.

Permitted paper filings. To ensure the timely entry into the record of any permitted paper filing (see TMEP §301.02), each piece of correspondence filed in the USPTO relating to a trademark application should be identified at the beginning by a heading or caption and by the serial number of the application, the name of the applicant, and the mark. 37 C.F.R. §2.194(b)(1). Cover letters should identify the material that they accompany.

To expedite processing, incoming paper documents should include the following:

1. (1) Application serial number;
2. (2) Mark;
3. (3) A title indicating the type of document being filed (e.g., a response to an Office action);
4. (4) The name, mailing address (including ZIP code), and telephone number of the applicant or the applicant’s attorney; and
5. (5) The applicant’s or attorney’s email address, unless the applicant is a treaty-exempt filer under international agreements.