Can I request an extension to respond to an office action?

Yes, you can ask for a single three-month deadline extension to respond to an office action issued by the USPTO during the examination phase. This gives you a total response period of six months from the issue date listed on the office action.

The USPTO further specifies that:

• You can file an extension request only one time per office action.
• You can only request an extension of time after an office action is issued.
• The request must be for the most recently issued office action.
• You must file the request before you file a response to an office action.
• The USPTO must receive the request on or before the initial deadline.

The fee for extension is $125 per request (excl. professional service fees).