[Patentpractice] How to file office action responses / POAs without customer number

[Justin Miller]

I have left my previous law firm and am starting my own law firm. This
happened a bit faster than I had anticipated, so I was not quite ready.

A number of clients with pending patent applications have transferred their
matters to my new firm. I need to respond to numerous office actions, and
need to update the POAs first.

Based on conversations with the AAU, my first step is to file a request for
customer number, PTO/SB/125A:
https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sb0125.pdf

My understanding is this takes 2 weeks.

I am told that I then need to file the Patent Electronic System
Verification Form, PTO‐2042a:
https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pto-2042a.pdf

It seems that this form will connect the new customer number to a USPTO.gov
login.

I imagine that's going to take another 2 weeks.

My question is how to file the new POAs and office action responses while I
wait.

I see that I can file a POA using contact information rather than a
customer number, but I cannot see how to file the POA electronically.

I created a new USPTO.gov login using my new email address, but it does not
appear to have permission to file into any existing patent applications (I
receive a 401 error).

I have access to my old USPTO.gov login, but of course it is associated
with the customer number of my previous law firm.

Am I stuck using fax (which seems slow based on what you have all shared)
or mail?

Sincerely,
Justin P. Miller
Distinct Patent Law
Office: 727.513.4590
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