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Where to mail documents to the Federal Circuit

To mail something to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, address it to Clerk of Court, National Courts Building, 717 Madison Place, NW, Washington, DC 20439, with your docket number on every page. Note that federal appellate filing is almost entirely electronic (CM/ECF) — mail is for pro se litigants without e-filing access, required paper copies, and general correspondence, not the default path for a represented party.

Federal Circuit — Clerk's Office

Clerk of Court
National Courts Building
717 Madison Place, NW
Washington, DC  20439

For pro se filers without CM/ECF access, required paper copies, and general correspondence. Represented parties must file electronically — see www.cafc.uscourts.gov for e-filing requirements.

Verified September 2026cafc.uscourts.govuscourts.gov

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Your name
Your return address

Clerk of CourtNational Courts Building717 Madison Place, NWWashington, DC 20439

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Key facts

  • Address mail to Clerk of Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, National Courts Building, 717 Madison Place, NW, Washington, DC 20439.
  • Almost all filing at this level is electronic. Attorneys and other registered users must file through CM/ECF — mail is for pro se litigants without ECF access, required paper copies, and correspondence that isn't a filing.
  • Always put the docket/case number (e.g., "No. 24-1234") on every page and on the outside of the envelope — without it, the clerk's office cannot route your documents.
  • Federal Circuit covers appeals from Nationwide (patent, trademark, federal-claims, and veterans appeals — subject matter, not geography). Confirm this is the right circuit before mailing anything — the wrong circuit will transfer or reject your filing.
  • A document is filed when the clerk receives and dockets it, not when you mail it. Post well ahead of any deadline, and consider a mail method with tracking for anything time-sensitive.
  • PostPal prints your documents and hands them to USPS the next business day for $5 — no printer, envelope, or trip to the post office, with your return address printed for the reply.

How to send your letter

  1. 1

    Confirm you need to mail it, not e-file it

    Represented parties and most filers must use CM/ECF. Mail is for pro se litigants without ECF access, or for paper copies a circuit's local rules still require alongside an e-filed document — check Federal Circuit's local rules or the clerk's office before mailing a filing with a deadline.

  2. 2

    Confirm this is the right circuit

    Federal Circuit covers Nationwide (patent, trademark, federal-claims, and veterans appeals — subject matter, not geography). Appeals go to the circuit that covers the district court (or agency) whose decision you're appealing — not just any circuit.

  3. 3

    Put the docket number on everything

    Every page and the outside of the envelope should show your case/docket number. Include a short cover letter stating what you're filing.

  4. 4

    Send it without printing anything

    Write or upload your documents in PostPal with the Federal Circuit clerk's address prefilled, and we print and mail them via USPS the next business day for $5.

Common questions

What is the mailing address for the Federal Circuit?

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, National Courts Building, 717 Madison Place, NW, Washington, DC 20439. Address it to "Clerk of Court" and include your docket number.

Can I file my appeal by mail?

Only if you're a pro se litigant without CM/ECF access, or your circuit's local rules specifically call for a mailed paper copy alongside an e-filed document. Attorneys and most other filers are required to use CM/ECF — mailing instead can result in your filing being rejected or treated as untimely.

What states does the Federal Circuit cover?

Nationwide (patent, trademark, federal-claims, and veterans appeals — subject matter, not geography). Your appeal goes to the circuit covering the court or agency whose decision you're appealing.

When is a mailed document considered filed?

Generally when the clerk's office receives and dockets it, not the day you mail it (the "prisoner mailbox rule" is a narrow exception for people in custody). Mail well ahead of any deadline and keep proof of mailing.

Sources

Addresses verified September 2026 against official sources. Always confirm on the official site before time-sensitive filings.

See all 13 U.S. Courts of Appeals mailing addresses →

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