Before you start, the following is very important to remember:

! You will need a completed provisional application

specification, drawings and a completed provisional
application coversheet. Click on the following link for these
forms:
http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/Form
_fillable_pdfs_available.jsp.
! Please remember the specification and drawings should be 8
! x 11 or A4 PDF with 1- inch margins all the way around.
! Remember to embed your fonts on your attachments or your
application will be not be submitted properly.
! To add multiple inventors, simply press, add in the
Inventors section.
! When you are filling in your Correspondence Address, make
you select Individual or Firm).
! You will be ask whether or not your invention was created by
an Agency of the U.S. Government or under a contract of a
U.S. Agency- The majority will answer "No" to this question.
! For the Entity Status, an individual applicant qualifies for
small entity status under 37 CFR 1.27. (For more info,
see FAQs: http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/efs_faq.htm
! To enter your signature, sign electronically by typing your
name between 2 slashes, i.e., /Timothy Jones/. Then date and
add your name underneath.










Provisional Patent Checklist:

" Go to:
https://efs.uspto.gov/EFSWebUIUnregistered/EFSWebUn
registered; Select E-File Unregistered; Fill in all the
requested info, i.e., name, email address, etc. Look at the
tabs on the top of the page, as they will easily guide you
through the process. (You may file as a registered e-Filer.
For more information on the difference, please see the
bottom half page of the EFS WEB UNREGISTERED
PAGE.)
" Fill in the Application Data Sheet (It is available to be
auto-filled or you can print it and scan it to be
downloaded. It is much easier to use the auto-fill form. It
will be saved and uploaded automatically for you.)
" First tab, add your first name, last name and email
address
" Select New Application; Select Utility (all provisional
patents are utility applications). Once you have
selected Utility, you will see the Provisional selection.
Choose Provisional. Then press continue.
" Next you will enter all pertinent information regarding
your patent application. Basically, what you have entered
on the SB16 will be entered on the following screen. The
Attorney Docket Number (used by attorneys/law
firms/patent attorneys) will be blank if you are filing this
as an individual.
" Title- should be the same information that is on your SB16
form. Then enter the name of the First Named Inventor.
Next enter your customer number. (Don't worry if you
don't have one. Just fill in the Correspondence address
and requested contact data where you would like to
receive your correspondence. Select Individual or firm.
" Next step: attach all of your documents (the written
specification, drawings, and SB-16, if applicable). You
will need to scan all documents that are not web forms.
Make sure all forms are legible and clear. You will get a
chance to review your attachments and make any
necessary corrections. (Press upload and validate) Also,
the system will perform an inspection to make sure
everything is attached properly. It will warn you if there is
something that needs to be corrected.
" As you upload documents, select the Document Type from
the second drop-down: Specification, Drawings
Only Black and White Line Drawings, Provisional
Coversheet.
" Go to the Calculate Fees tab; click Small Entity. Then
select Provisional, scroll down and hit calculate. The fee
should be $125. Click continue to be taken to the
submission page.
" To pay, you should pay via the Electronic Business Center
(EBC) or print the payment form and fax it to the number
provided. It is suggested you pay via the EBC. It is more
convenient and you will know if your payment is accepted.
Otherwise, it may be 6-8 weeks before you receive receipt
of payment.
" Now it's time to review your app and make sure there are
no typos and all information is correct. If there are
problems with documents, you can remove them and
upload new ones by going back to the Attach Documents
Once you have submitted the app, youll be taken to a fee
payment page where you can pay with a credit card. Once
you have completed your payment, you will see a link that
will allow you to download your electronic filing receipt.
Keep this receipt, as it will have your provisional
application number and confirmation number. You will
receive a hard copy receipt in the mail shortly after your
submission.
" Depending on the complexity of your invention, this
process may take 20-60 minutes to complete.



If you have any questions about the provisional patent or
patents in general, feel free to contact the USPTO
department. I have spoken to them many times. I have found
them to be very friendly and you usually will not have
unusually long waiting times:

http://www.uspto.gov/about/contacts/callcenters.jsp

Also, they forward you over to the Inventors Assistance
Department (800-PTO-9199 (800-786-9199)) whom is very helpful
as well.