What is the procedure for handling petitions in the USPTO?

The procedure for handling petitions in the USPTO is as follows:

• Petitions are sent to the official with delegated authority to decide the petition, along with the respective application files.
• The petition may be referred to the examiner for either a formal statement under 37 CFR 1.181(c) or an informal memorandum.
• For formal statements, a copy is mailed to the petitioner by the examiner, unless otherwise directed.
• The application file, petition, and original copy of the examiner’s statement are then returned to the official handling the petition.
• For informal memoranda, no copy is mailed to the petitioner by the examiner.

As stated in MPEP 1002.01: “Petitions, together with the respective application files, are sent to the official having the delegated authority to decide the petition.“

To learn more:

• petitions
• USPTO
• patent application
• examiner statements
• formal statements
• informal memoranda