If you wish, you can file a fee-based search request for your patent application before filing your request for examination:

• Go to the website of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) and open the "Forms and more" option under the "Service" tab. Then click on "Patents".
• Download the "Application for the grant of a patent" and enter all the information you have, for example, your personal details and address as well as the title of your invention. You can fill in the form directly on your computer or print it out and edit it by hand.
  • Note: Under point 7 of this form you will find the option "Search request - determination of the state of the art without examination (Sec. 43 Patent Act)"
  • If you have any questions, you can also contact the Central Customer Service of the DPMA.
• Check the "Search request" box.
  • Note: The search request requires a patent application.
• Sign the form and send it with your attachments to the address indicated on the form.
• In addition to sending the form by post or fax, the DPMA also offers you the option of electronic transmission.
• Transfer the search fee due.
• You will receive a detailed search report which also contains the documents that may be relevant for examining the patentability of your invention.
• If the search request is filed before or at the same time as the request for examination, the search is carried out first and a preliminary assessment is made as to whether the invention applied for is eligible for protection and whether the application is sufficient.