FAQ for EPO account

General questions

An EPO account is an account you use to sign in to EPO online services. You sign in using an email address and password (in combination these are the default verification method). For our secure services, you use an email address and password (the default verification method) plus at least one other verification method. This is called two-step verification. Alternatively, you can use an EPO smart card.

For first-level support in connection with EPO accounts, EPO smart cards and EPO online services, write to support@epo.org.

Creating an account

Use the Create an EPO account form.

After you've entered your first name, last name and email address, and selected Create account, we'll email you an invitation to set a password for your new account. Selecting the button in the email will open a new window where you can set a password. You must then set up one or more verification methods.

You'll need to use two-step verification to access our secure services and to make changes to your EPO account settings.

During the setup process, you'll be asked to accept our terms and conditions. You'll also be able to consult our data protection and privacy policy.

Go to the EPO login page.

Select Sign in using smart card. After entering your email address you will then be asked to choose a password. You must then set up one or more verification methods.

During the process, you'll be asked to accept our terms and conditions. You'll also be able to consult our data protection and privacy policy.

Once you've set up two-step verification, you can sign in using either two-step verification or your EPO smart card (which remains active).

Your password must

Yes. Each EPO account is linked to one email address, and you can use that account to sign in to several EPO online services.

Verifying your account after set-up

The verification process completes your account and adds an additional layer of security. Verification is required to access specific services (Central Fee Payment, MyEPO Portfolio and Online Filing 2.0).

You can verify your account by providing a copy of your ID to support@epo.org. Alternatively, a short videoconference can be set up with you during which you can present your ID.

European Patent Register
Credit Card Payment
Claiming refunds
EBD files
E-learning

MyEPO Portfolio
Online Filing 2.0
Central Fee Payment

You will receive an error message stating that you do not have access, or that the service is not up and running. In this case you can contact support@epo.org to verify your account.

Resetting a forgotten password

In the sign-in screen, enter your email address and select Sign in using email adress. You'll be asked for your password on the next screen. Instead, follow the link Forgotten your password?.

Enter the email address you indicated when creating your account. You'll receive an email inviting you to reset the password for your EPO account. Follow the instructions in that email.

The email will invite you to select a button (or enter a code), and you have five minutes to do so. If you don't react within five minutes, you can go back and again follow the link Forgotten your password? The system will send you a new password-reset email containing another button (or code) valid for five minutes.

Updating my account settings

You can update the following in your Account settings:

Note: The Account settings page is available only to users who sign in using an email address, password and two-step verification. Users signing in with a smart card don't have access to this page.

If you lose the device you use to receive codes for two-step verification, contact support@epo.org. They can deactivate the two-step verification methods set up on the lost device. After that, you can set up one or more new methods in your Account settings.

It's best practice to set up several verification methods, just in case one is on a device that gets lost. And if you replace your device, make sure you set up new methods on your new device.

You can change your password in the Account settings page. Use second verification method to unlock the settings. If, for some reason, you can't use any of your two-step verification methods, contact support@epo.org.

Sign in to your account and go to Account settings. Use two-step verification to unlock your settings. Then select Change your email address to update your details.

Signing in

To access EPO online services, you need an EPO account. You sign in via your account using

You may or may not need to use two-step verification; it depends on the service you want to use.

For example, you only need an email address and password to access Bulk Data Distribution Service. But you need an EPO smart card or email address, password and at least one other verification method to access secure services such as Central Fee Payment.

If you access a service requiring only an email address and password and then try to access another service with higher security requirements, you'll be asked to use a second verification method.

The email with a button or code is sent almost instantly to your inbox. If it doesn't arrive within a minute or so, check your Spam or Junk folder. If it's not there, select Re-send. If there's still no email in your inbox, contact support@epo.org.

There might be an issue with the email address connected with your EPO account, or the email might be blocked by your company's email filter.

At present, you can sign in to the following services using your EPO account:

  1. Central Fee Payment
  2. MyEPO Portfolio
  3. Bulk Data Distribution Service
  4. Online Filing 2.0

More services will be added over time.

At present, you sign in to Bulk Data Distribution Service using an email address and password only. The EPO smart card is not used for this service.

Two-step verification

You first use the default authentication method, a combination of email address and password.

Then use at least one other verification method. We currently support:

  1. Google Authenticator:. enter the single-use code generated by this app.
  2. Okta Verify:. enter the single-use code generated by this app.
  3. Text message (SMS):. enter the single-use code sent to your mobile phone by text message.
  4. Email. enter the single-use code sent to the email address associated with your EPO account.

Yes. It doesn’t matter where the verification apps are saved (personal or company devices).

Your mobile phone number is saved in your EPO account. It's processed for verification purposes only. For further details, see this data protection statement.

You can use any email address (personal or company address), as long as it's under your control.

You can install one supported verification app and link it to your EPO account per device.

Yes. You can use different devices or different types of device for two-step verification. However, a verification app linked to an EPO account can only be linked from one device at a time.

For example, you can use Google Authenticator on one mobile phone, and use Okta Verify on another phone.

Or you can use the code sent by text message (SMS) to your mobile phone, and use emails accessed on your tablet.

For smart-card users: enabling an additional sign-in method

Yes. Today you sign in to your EPO account using an EPO smart card. But you can also enable sign-in using an email address, password and two-step verification. Then you can choose each time to sign in by smart card or by email address, password and two-step verification.

Follow this link to enable sign-in by email address, password and two-step verification as well as by smart card.

EPO Smartcard

See the FAQ - smart cards page for questions regarding EPO smart cards.

See EPO smart cards - troubleshooting.