Is paragraph numbering in patent office actions mandatory?

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.

While MPEP 707.07(k) recommends numbering paragraphs in patent office actions, it is not explicitly stated as mandatory. The MPEP describes it as ‘good practice’:

It is good practice to number the paragraphs of the Office action consecutively.

This wording suggests that while highly recommended, paragraph numbering is not a strict requirement. However, patent examiners are generally encouraged to follow this practice to improve the clarity and efficiency of patent prosecution.