No, the use of an attorney or registered agent is not required for filing a patent application. However, an attorney or registered agent is often a useful resource and the USPTO recommends the use of such for preparing a patent application and conducting the proceedings in the USPTO.
In filing a patent application and paying required fees, the USPTO provides forms and an electronic filing tool. You may also wish to find a patent attorney or agent to help draft the required description of the invention and claims, and any required drawings.
Format of a Patent Application The Specification. The Title. The Description. The Claims. The Drawings. The Abstract. Sample Specifications. Minimum Requirements for a Filing Date.