MPEP Chapter 500: Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers — Study Guide

Chapter 500 covers how the USPTO receives and dates papers: the certificate of mailing and transmission procedures under 37 CFR 1.8, Priority Mail Express under 37 CFR 1.10, facsimile filing, and electronic filing. Date-of-receipt rules are heavily tested.

of released exam questions
~4.42%
MPEP pages
138
guided lectures
1
review questions
32

What to learn

Key topics in Chapter 500

  • Certificate of mailing (37 CFR 1.8)
  • Priority Mail Express (37 CFR 1.10)
  • Facsimile and electronic filing
  • USPTO business hours and date stamping

Inside the course

Guided lectures for Chapter 500

  1. 01Filing Papers with the USPTO: Receipt, Handling, and Timeliness of Correspondence

Plus slides, key terms, quick quizzes, and MPEP-linked references in the full course.

FAQ

Chapter 500 FAQs

How much of the patent bar exam covers MPEP Chapter 500?

About 4.42% of released USPTO exam questions come from Chapter 500 (Receipt and Handling of Mail and Papers), based on our analysis of 53 released questions.

How should I study MPEP Chapter 500?

Read the key topics below, then drill exam-style questions with MPEP citations and finish with a timed review. Patent Bar Studio schedules Chapter 500 automatically based on its exam weight and your accuracy.

How long is MPEP Chapter 500?

The chapter spans roughly 138 pages in MPEP 9th Edition, Revision 01.2024 — focus on the key topics listed here rather than reading cover to cover.

Master Chapter 500 with a personal plan

Guided lectures, cited practice questions, and analytics that tell you exactly when this chapter is exam-ready.