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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 I4RTT968ujZdITQPWiD1qw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-059931.txt : 20041230
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-059931.hdr.sgml : 20041230
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041230170342
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-059931
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041229
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041230
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041230

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FERRER MARK J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001241807

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25331
		FILM NUMBER:		041234670

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		45025 AVIATION DR
		STREET 2:		STE 300
		CITY:			DULLES
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20166

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CRITICAL PATH INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001060801
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389]
		IRS NUMBER:				911788300
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		320 FIRST STREET
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94105
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4158088800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		320 FIRST STREET
		CITY:			SAN FRNACISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94105
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001060801</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CRITICAL PATH INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CPTH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001241807</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FERRER MARK J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CRITICAL PATH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>350 THE EMBARCADERO - 6TH FL.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2004-12-29</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11693</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.12</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1353111</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>Withholding of shares to cover taxes due upon vesting.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael Zukerman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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