Can joint inventors use a single non-English oath or declaration?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance 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.

Yes, joint inventors can use a single non-English oath or declaration under certain circumstances. The MPEP 602.06 states:

“The Office will accept a single non-English language oath or declaration where there are joint inventors, of which only some understand English but all understand the non-English language of the oath or declaration.”

This means that as long as all joint inventors understand the language used in the oath or declaration, even if some also understand English, a single non-English document can be submitted for all inventors.