37 CFR § 1.17 Patent application and
This page consolidates MPEP guidance interpreting 37 CFR § 1.17, including 628 rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.
Summary
This section emphasizes the importance of promptly reviewing filing receipts, correcting errors, and ensuring compliance with the patent application process by checking priority or benefit claims and contacting the Application Assistance Unit for incorrect publication dates.
What this section covers
- Defines the importance of reviewing filing receipts for accuracy and completeness.
Key obligations
- Applicants must promptly review filing receipts and correct any errors.
- Check priority or benefit claims on the filing receipt for accuracy and timely correction if necessary.
- Contact the Application Assistance Unit to address incorrect publication dates or other issues with filing receipts.
Practice notes
- Timely response to any errors identified in the filing receipt is crucial for avoiding delays and ensuring compliance.
- Missing critical information or incorrect data in the filing receipt can lead to significant issues, so thorough review is essential.
Pending USPTO Updates
USPTO lists the following post-January 31, 2024 publications as updates not yet incorporated into the current MPEP revision. BlueIron has reviewed the linked USPTO source documents and cross-referenced these updates by affected topic, citation, and identified MPEP target when stated by USPTO. USPTO Subsequent Publications
- Supersedes Revised and New Form Paragraphs in View of Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2025 (Final Rule)Identified USPTO change targets:
- form paragraph: 2.14 – USPTO memorandum identifies this as a new form paragraph implementing Fiscal Year 2025 patent fee changes.
- form paragraph: 6.49.11 – USPTO memorandum identifies this as a new form paragraph implementing Fiscal Year 2025 patent fee changes.
- form paragraph: 6.49.12 – USPTO memorandum identifies this as a new form paragraph implementing Fiscal Year 2025 patent fee changes.
- form paragraph group: 2.01, 2.05, 2.06, 2.09, 2.11.01, 2.15, 2.21.01, 2.22, 2.23, 2.39 – USPTO memorandum identifies these application-processing form paragraphs as revised.
- form paragraph group: 6.49.01, 6.49.02, 6.49.03, 6.49.05, 6.55 – USPTO memorandum identifies these examination form paragraphs as revised.
- form paragraph group: 7.39, 7.40, 7.40.01, 7.40.02.aia, 7.40.02.fti, 7.41, 7.41.03, 7.42.03.fti, 7.42.031.fti, 7.42.09, 7.54, 7.91, 7.98.01, 7.98.02, 7.123, 7.204, 7.205, 7.207 – USPTO memorandum identifies these rejection-response form paragraphs as revised.
- 1 additional target(s) listed in the JSON artifact.
- Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees During Fiscal Year 2025
Official MPEP § 1.17 — Patent application and
Source: USPTOLast Modified: 10/30/2024 08:50:22
1.17 Patent application and reexamination processing fees.
- (a) Extension fees pursuant to §
1.136(a)
:
- (1) For reply within first
month:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$44.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……88.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……220.00
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(1)
-
- (2) For reply within second
month:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$128.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……256.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……$640.00
TABLE 2 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(2)
-
- (3) For reply within third
month:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$296.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……592.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……1,480.00
TABLE 3 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(3)
-
- (4) For reply within fourth
month:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$464.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……928.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……$2,320.00
TABLE 4 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(4)
-
- (5) For reply within fifth
month:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$632.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……1,264.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……3,160.00
TABLE 5 TO PARAGRAPH (a)(5)
-
- (1) For reply within first
month:
- (b) For fees in proceedings before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, see § 41.20 and § 42.15 of this title.
- (c) For filing a request for prioritized
examination under §
1.102(e)
:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$840.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……1,680.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity ……4,200.00
TABLE 6 TO PARAGRAPH (c)
-
- (d) For correction of inventorship in an
application after the first action on the merits:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$128.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……256.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……640.00
TABLE 7 TO PARAGRAPH (d)
-
- (e) To request continued examination
pursuant to §
1.114
:
- (1) For filing a first
request for continued examination pursuant to §
1.114
in
an application:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$272.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a)) ……544.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……1,360.00
TABLE 8 TO PARAGRAPH (e)(1)
-
- (2) For filing a second
or subsequent request for continued examination pursuant to §
1.114
in
an application:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$400.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……800.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……2,000.00
TABLE 9 TO PARAGRAPH (e)(2)
-
- (1) For filing a first
request for continued examination pursuant to §
1.114
in
an application:
- (f) For filing a petition under one of
the following sections which refers to this paragraph (f):
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$84.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……168.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……420.00
TABLE 10 TO PARAGRAPH (f)
§ 1.36(a) —for revocation of a power of attorney by fewer than all of the applicants.
§ 1.53(e) —to accord a filing date.
§ 1.182 —for a decision on a question not specifically provided for in an application for a patent.
§ 1.183 —to suspend the rules in an application for a patent.
§ 1.741(b) —to accord a filing date to an application under § 1.740 for an extension of a patent term.
§ 1.1023 —to review the filing date of an international design application.
-
- (g) For filing a petition under one of
the following sections which refers to this paragraph (g):
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$44.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……88.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……220.00
TABLE 11 TO PARAGRAPH (g)
§ 1.12 —for access to an assignment record.
§ 1.14 —for access to an application.
§ 1.46 —for filing an application on behalf of an inventor by a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter.
§ 1.55(f) —for filing a belated certified copy of a foreign application.
§ 1.55(g) —for filing a belated certified copy of a foreign application.
§ 1.57(a) —for filing a belated certified copy of a foreign application.
§ 1.59 —for expungement of information.
§ 1.103(a) —to suspend action in an application.
§ 1.136(b) —for review of a request for an extension of time when the provisions of § 1.136(a) are not available.
§ 1.377 —for review of a decision refusing to accept and record payment of a maintenance fee filed prior to the expiration of a patent.
§ 1.550(c) —for patent owner requests for an extension of time in ex parte reexamination proceedings.
§ 1.956 —for patent owner requests for an extension of time in inter partes reexamination proceedings.
§ 5.12 of this chapter—for expedited handling of a foreign filing license.
§ 5.15 of this chapter—for changing the scope of a license.
§ 5.25 of this chapter—for a retroactive license.
-
- (h) For filing a petition under one of
the following sections that refers to this paragraph (h):
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$28.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……56.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……140.00
TABLE 12 TO PARAGRAPH (h)
§ 1.84 —for accepting color drawings or photographs.
§ 1.91 —for entry of a model or exhibit.
§ 1.102(d) —to make an application special.
§ 1.138(c) —to expressly abandon an application to avoid publication.
§ 1.313 —to withdraw an application from issue.
§ 1.314 —to defer issuance of a patent.
-
- (i)
Processing fees.
- (1) For taking action under one of
the following sections that refers to this paragraph (i)(1):
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$28.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……56.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……140.00
TABLE 13 TO PARAGRAPH (i)(1)
§ 1.28(c)(3) —for processing a non-itemized fee deficiency based on an error in small entity status.
§ 1.29(k)(3) —for processing a non-itemized fee deficiency based on an error in micro entity status.
§ 1.41(b) —for supplying the name or names of the inventor or joint inventors in an application without either an application data sheet or the inventor’s oath or declaration, except in provisional applications.
§ 1.48 —for correcting inventorship, except in provisional applications.
§ 1.52(d) —for processing a nonprovisional application filed with a specification in a language other than English.
§ 1.53(c)(3) —to convert a provisional application filed under § 1.53(c) into a nonprovisional application under § 1.53(b) .
§ 1.71(g)(2) —for processing a belated amendment under § 1.71(g) .
§ 1.102(e) —for requesting prioritized examination of an application.
§ 1.103(b) —for requesting limited suspension of action, continued prosecution application for a design patent (§ 1.53(d) ).
§ 1.103(c) —for requesting limited suspension of action, request for continued examination (§ 1.114 ).
§ 1.103(d) —for requesting deferred examination of an application.
§ 1.291(c)(5) —for processing a second or subsequent protest by the same real party in interest.
§ 3.81 —for a patent to issue to assignee, assignment submitted after payment of the issue fee.
-
- (2) For taking action under one of
the following sections that refers to this paragraph (i)(2):
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29……$140.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……140.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……140.00
TABLE 14 TO PARAGRAPH (i)(2)
§ 1.217 —for processing a redacted copy of a paper submitted in the file of an application in which a redacted copy was submitted for the patent application publication.
§ 1.221 —for requesting voluntary publication or republication of an application.
-
- (1) For taking action under one of
the following sections that refers to this paragraph (i)(1):
- (j) [Reserved]
- (k) For filing a request for expedited
examination under §
1.155(a)
:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$320.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……640.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……1,600.00
TABLE 15 TO PARAGRAPH (k)
-
- (l) [Reserved]
- (m) For filing a petition for the revival
of an abandoned application for a patent, for the delayed payment
of the fee for issuing each patent, for the delayed response by the
patent owner in any reexamination proceeding, for the delayed
payment of the fee for maintaining a patent in force, for the
delayed submission of a priority or benefit claim, for the
extension of the 12-month (six-month for designs) period for filing
a subsequent application (§§
1.55(c)
and
(e)
,
1.78(b)
,
(c)
, and
(e)
;
1.137
;
1.378
; and
1.452
), or for
filing a petition to excuse applicant’s failure to act within
prescribed time limits in an international design application
(
§ 1.1051
):
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$420.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……840.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……2,100.00
TABLE 16 TO PARAGRAPH (m)
-
- (n) [Reserved]
- (o) For every ten items or
fraction thereof in a third-party submission under §
1.290
:
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a)) or micro entity (§ 1.29)……$72.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……$180.00
TABLE 17 TO PARAGRAPH (o)
-
- (p) For an information disclosure
statement under §
1.97(c)
or
(d)
:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$52.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……104.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……260.00
TABLE 18 TO PARAGRAPH (p)
-
- (q)
Processing fee for taking action under one of the following sections that refers to this paragraph (q):……$50.00.
- § 1.41 —to supply the name or names of the inventor or inventors after the filing date without a cover sheet as prescribed by § 1.51(c)(1) in a provisional application.
- § 1.48 —for correction of inventorship in a provisional application.
- § 1.53(c)(2) —to convert a nonprovisional application filed under § 1.53(b) to a provisional application under § 1.53(c) .
- (r) For entry of a submission after final
rejection under §
1.129(a)
:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$176.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……352.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……880.00
TABLE 19 TO PARAGRAPH (r)
-
- (s) For each additional invention
requested to be examined under §
1.129(b)
:
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$176.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……352.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……880.00
TABLE 20 TO PARAGRAPH (s)
-
- (t) For filing a petition to convert an
international design application to a design application under 35
U.S.C. chapter 16 (§
1.1052
):
-
By a micro entity (§ 1.29)……$36.00
-
By a small entity (§ 1.27(a))……72.00
-
By other than a small or micro entity……180.00
TABLE 21 TO PARAGRAPH (t)
-
[Added 47 FR 41272, Sept. 17, 1982, effective Oct. 1, 1982; para. (h), 48 FR 2696, Jan. 20, 1983, effective Feb. 27, 1983; para. (h), 49 FR 13461, Apr. 4, 1984, effective June 4, 1984; para. (h), 49 FR 34724, Aug. 31, 1984, effective Nov. 1, 1984; paras. (e), (g), (h) and (i), 49 FR 48416, Dec. 12, 1984, effective Feb. 11, 1985; paras. (h), (n) and (c), 50 FR 9379, Mar. 7, 1985, effective May 8, 1985; 50 FR 31824, Aug. 6, 1985, effective Oct. 5, 1985; paras. (a)-(m), 54 FR 6893, Feb. 15, 1989, 54 FR 9431, March 7, 1989, effective Apr. 17, 1989; para. (i)(1), 54 FR 47518, Nov. 15, 1989, effective Jan. 16, 1990; paras. (a)-(o), 56 FR 65142, Dec. 13, 1991, effective Dec. 16, 1991; para. (i)(1), 57 FR 2021, Jan. 17, 1992, effective March 16, 1992; para. (p) added, 57 FR 2021, Jan. 17, 1992, effective March 16, 1992; para. (i)(1), 57 FR 29642, July 6, 1992, effective Sept. 4, 1992; corrected 57 FR 32439, July 22, 1992; paras. (b)-(g), (j), and (m)-(o), 57 FR 38190, Aug. 21, 1992, effective Oct. 1, 1992; para. (h), 58 FR 38719, July 20, 1993, effective Oct. 1, 1993; paras. (b)-(g), (j) and (m)-(p), 59 FR 43736, Aug. 25, 1994, effective Oct. 1, 1994; paras. (h) & (i) amended and paras. (q)-(s) added, 67 FR 20195, Apr. 25, 1995, effective June 8, 1995; paras. (b)-(g), (j), (m)-(p), (r) & (s) amended, 60 FR 41018, Aug. 11, 1995, effective Oct. 1, 1995; paras. (b)-(g), (j), (m)-(p), (r) and (s) amended, 61 FR 39585, July 30, 1996, effective Oct. 1, 1996; paras. (b)-(g), (j), (m)-(p), (r) & (s) amended, 62 FR 40450, July 29, 1997, effective Oct. 1, 1997; paras. (a) – (d), (h), (i) & (q) revised, paras. (e)-(g) reserved, 62 FR 53132, Oct. 10, 1997, effective Dec. 1, 1997; para. (q) corrected, 62 FR 61235, Nov. 17, 1997, effective Dec. 1, 1997; paras. (a)-(d), (l) and (m) revised, 63 FR 67578, Dec. 8, 1998, effective Nov. 10, 1998; paras. (r) and (s) revised, 63 FR 67578, Dec. 8, 1998, effective Dec. 8, 1998; paras. (r) and (s) revised, 64 FR 67774, Dec. 3, 1999, effective Jan. 10, 2000; para. (e) added and para. (i) revised, 65 FR 14865, Mar. 20, 2000, effective May 29, 2000 (adopted as final, 65 FR 50092, Aug. 16, 2000); paras. (a)-(e), (m), (r) and (s) revised, 65 FR 49193, August 11, 2000, effective October 1, 2000; paras. (h), (i), (k), (l), (m), (p), and (q) revised, 65 FR 54604, Sept. 8, 2000, effective Nov. 7, 2000; heading and paras. (h), (i), (l), (m) and (p) revised, 65 FR 57024, Sept. 20, 2000, effective Nov. 29, 2000; para. (t) added, 65 FR 57024, Sept. 20, 2000, effective Nov. 29, 2000; paras. (a)-(e), (r) and (s) revised, 65 FR 78958, Dec. 18, 2000; heading and para. (h) revised, 66 FR 47387, Sept. 12, 2001, effective Sept. 12, 2001; paras. (a)(2)-(a)(5), (b)-(e), (m) and (r)-(t) revised, 66 FR 39447, July 31, 2001, effective Oct. 1, 2001; paras. (a)(2)-(a)(5), (e), (m), and (r) through (t) revised, 67 FR 70847, Nov. 27, 2002, effective Jan. 1, 2003; para. (h) revised, 68 FR 38611, June 30, 2003, effective July 30, 2003; paras. (a)(2)-(a)(5), (b)-(e), (m), and (r)-(t) revised, 68 FR 41532, July 14, 2003, effective Oct. 1, 2003; paras. (c) and (d) removed and reserved and paras. (b) and (h) revised, 69 FR 49959, Aug. 12, 2004, effective Sept. 13, 2004; paras. (a)(2)-(a)(5), (e), (m), and (r)-(t) revised, 69 FR 52604, Aug. 27, 2004, effective Oct. 1, 2004; paras. (f) and (g) added and paras. (h) and (i) revised, 69 FR 56481, Sept. 21, 2004, effective Nov. 22, 2004; paras. (a), (l) and (m) revised, 70 FR 3880, Jan. 27, 2005, effective Dec. 8, 2004; para. (i) revised, 70 FR 54259, Sept. 14, 2005, effective Sept. 14, 2005; para. (f) revised, 70 FR 56119, Sept. 26, 2005, effective Nov. 25, 2005; paras. (l) & (m) revised, 72 FR 18892, Apr. 16, 2007, effective May 16, 2007; paras. (a)(2)-(a)(5), (e), (l), (m), and (r)-(t) revised, 72 FR 46899, Aug. 22, 2007, effective Sept. 30, 2007; paras. (a)(4) and (a)(5) corrected, 72 FR 55055, Sept. 28, 2007, effective Sept. 30, 2007; para. (f) revised, 72 FR 46716, Aug. 21, 2007 (implementation enjoined and never became effective); para. (t) revised, 72 FR 51559, Sept. 10, 2007, and corrected 72 FR 57864, Oct. 11, 2007, effective Nov. 9, 2007; paras. (a), (l), and (m) revised, 73 FR 47534, Aug. 14, 2008, effective Oct. 2, 2008; para. (f) revised, 74 FR 52686, Oct. 14, 2009, effective Oct. 14, 2009 (to remove changes made by the final rules in 72 FR 46716 from the CFR); para. (c) added and para. (i) revised, 76 FR 18399, Apr. 4, 2011, effective date delayed until further notice, 76 FR 23876, Apr. 29, 2011 and withdrawn effective Sept. 23, 2011, 76 FR 59050, Sept. 23, 2011; para. (c) added and para. (i) revised, 76 FR 59050, Sept. 23, 2011, effective Sept. 26, 2011; para. (j) removed and reserved and para. (p) revised, 77 FR 42150, July 17, 2012, effective Sept. 16, 2012; para. (b) revised, 77 FR 46615, Aug. 6, 2012, effective Sept. 16, 2012; paras. (g) and (i) revised, 77 FR 48776, Aug. 14, 2012, effective Sept. 16, 2012; paras. (a), (l), and (m) revised, 77 FR 54360, Sept. 5, 2012, effective Oct. 5, 2012; paras.(g) and (i) revised and paras. (n) and (o) removed and reserved, 78 FR 11024, Feb. 14, 2013, effective Mar. 16, 2013; paras. (a)-(i), (k)-(m), and (p)-(t) revised, 78 FR 4212, Jan. 18, 2013, effective Mar. 19, 2013; revised, 78 FR 17102, Mar. 20, 2013, effective Mar. 20, 2013; paras. (f), (g), (m), and (p) revised, para. (o) added and paras. (l) and (t) removed and reserved, 78 FR 62368, Oct. 21, 2013, corrected 78 FR 75251, Dec. 11, 2013, effective Dec. 18, 2013; paras. (f), (g), (i)(1) and (m) revised and para. (t) added, 80 FR 17918, Apr. 2, 2015, effective May 13, 2015; paras. (e), (h), (m), (p) and (t) revised, 82 FR 52780, Nov. 14, 2017, effective Jan. 16, 2018; paras. (a), (c)-(h), (i)(1), (i)(2), (k), (m), and (p)-(s) revised and table headings added to paras. (o) and (t), 85 FR 46932, Aug. 3, 2020, effective Oct. 2, 2020; paras. (a)(2), (f), (g), (i)(2), and (q) corrected, 85 FR 58282, Sept. 18, 2020, effective Oct. 2, 2020; revised tables in paras. (a)(1) through (5), (c), (d), (e)(1) and (2), (f) through (h), (i)(1), (k), (m), (o), (p), and (r) through (t), 88 FR 17417, Mar. 22, 2023, effective Mar. 22, 2023]
- Abandonment
- Express Abandonment
-
- Access Records
- Access Document Types
-
- Third Party Access
- Aia Practice
- Aia Overview
-
- Applicability
-
-
- Appeal Notice
-
- Board Decision
- Examiner Answer
- Post Decision Procedure
- Reply Brief
- Application Publication
-
- App Types Provisional
-
- Cip Applications
- Continuation Applications
-
- Assignment Ownership
- Recording Assignments
- Recording Requirements
-
- Certificate Of Mailing
- Certified Copies
-
- Correspondence Address
-
-
-
-
- Design Expedited Examination
-
- Director Authority
- Common Petition Types
- Petition Access
- Petition Make Special
-
- Petition Procedures
-
- Petition Filing
-
- Entity Status
- Small Entity
-
- Reexamination Examination
- Reexamination Request
-
-
- Allowance Practice
-
- Amendments Practice
- Examiner Action
- Action Status
-
- Form Paragraphs
- Final Rejection
- After Final Practice
-
- Applicant Admitted Prior Art
- Non Final Action
-
-
- Rce Practice
-
- Rejection Of Claims
-
- Foreign Filing License
- General Requirements
- Express Mail
- International Design
- Hague Principles
-
- Ida Examination
- Ida Filing
- Ida Requirements
- Ida Applicant
-
- Ida Contents
- Maintenance Fee Late
- Patent Expiration Maintenance
- Patent Reinstatement
-
- Patent Application Content
- Filing Date Requirements
-
- Patent Issuance
- Certificate Of Correction
- Issue Fee
- Notice Of Allowance
-
- Patent Term
- Patent Term Adjustment
-
- Pct
- Pct Amendments Article 19
- Pct Description Claims
- Pct Fees
-
-
- Pct Request
- Power Of Attorney
-
- Benefit Delayed
-
- Protest
-
-
- Protest Procedure
-
-
- Reissue
- Reissue Amendments
- Amendment Claims
- Claim Status Identifier
-
- Reissue Grounds
- Reissue Litigation
- Reply Period
- Extension Of Time
- Restriction
- Divisional Applications
- Restriction Requirement
- Restriction Basis
-
- Common Ownership Exception
- Section 112
- Section 112A
- New Matter
-
- Signature Requirements
-
- Signature Assignee
-
- Signature Inventor
- Unsigned Documents
-