MPEP § 607 — Filing Fee (Annotated Rules)

§607 Filing Fee

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 607, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Filing Fee

This section addresses Filing Fee. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 111(a), 35 U.S.C. 111(b), and 35 U.S.C. 371. Contains: 11 requirements, 1 prohibition, 1 permission, and 5 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Filing, Search & Examination Fees

21 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-13c83acd3df184a07b672a09]
Required Fees for Nonprovisional Applications
Note:
This rule outlines the mandatory fees for filing nonprovisional applications on or after December 8, 2004, including basic filing, search, examination, application size, excess claims, and non-electronic filing fees.

For nonprovisional applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) on or after December 8, 2004 (including reissue applications), the following fees are required: basic filing fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(a), (b), (c) or (e); search fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(k), (l), (m), or (n); examination fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(o),(p), (q), or (r); application size fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s), if applicable (see subsection II. below); excess claims fees as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(h), (i), or (j), if applicable (see subsection III. below); and non-electronic filing fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(t), if applicable (see subsection IV. below).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(a)Filing, Search & Examination FeesFee RequirementsReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-607-594cbf39df6b0d3af3866ed5]
Fees May Be Paid After Filing Date Within Time Period
Note:
These fees can be paid after the filing date as long as they are within the time period set by 37 CFR 1.53(f) and include the surcharge from 37 CFR 1.16(f).

The basic filing, search and examination fees are due on filing of the nonprovisional application under 35 U.S.C. 111(a). These fees may be paid on a date later than the filing date of the application provided they are paid within the time period set forth in 37 CFR 1.53(f) and include the surcharge set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(f).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.53(f)Filing, Search & Examination FeesApplication Types and FilingFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-b0f417e1d2630fc02292c4e1]
Sequence Listings and Computer Program Appendices Not Counted in Size Fee Calculation
Note:
Excludes sequence listings, CRFs of sequence listings, and computer program listing appendices submitted on read-only optical disc or via USPTO electronic filing system from application size fee calculation.

The application size fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s) applies to any application (including any provisional applications and any reissue applications) filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 the specification (including claims) and drawings of which exceed 100 sheets of paper. The calculation of the application size fee required excludes any American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) plain text file or any eXtensible Markup Language XML file (as applicable) submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system for any “Sequence Listing,” any computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing,” any “Sequence Listing XML,” or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix.” See 37 CFR 1.52(f). The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof over 100 sheets of paper. A preliminary amendment that is present on the filing date of the application is part of the original disclosure of the application. See MPEP § 714.01(e), subsection II. Thus, the Office will count the pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date of the application, including multiple sets of drawings or multiple sets of a specification, e.g., clean and marked-up versions, in determining the application size fee required. Accordingly, the Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings with the initial filing of the application. The Office will not count the sheets of paper making up any English translation of a non-English language specification if submitted with the application on filing. However, if the originally-filed application papers did not comply with 37 CFR 1.52, any papers filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52 (if the page count of such papers is larger than the page count of the initial submission) will be counted for the purpose of determining the application size fee due, in place of the originally-filed specification and drawings. Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c) submitted on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e) or submitted in an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing XML” on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1) and (2).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Filing, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsSequence Listing Format
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-9d13eb8168c99736b69f8fb1]
Sequence Listing XML Excluded from Fee Calculation
Note:
Excludes any Sequence Listing XML on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system when determining the application size fee.

The application size fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s) applies to any application (including any provisional applications and any reissue applications) filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 the specification (including claims) and drawings of which exceed 100 sheets of paper. The calculation of the application size fee required excludes any American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) plain text file or any eXtensible Markup Language XML file (as applicable) submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system for any “Sequence Listing,” any computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing,” any “Sequence Listing XML,” or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix.” See 37 CFR 1.52(f). The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof over 100 sheets of paper. A preliminary amendment that is present on the filing date of the application is part of the original disclosure of the application. See MPEP § 714.01(e), subsection II. Thus, the Office will count the pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date of the application, including multiple sets of drawings or multiple sets of a specification, e.g., clean and marked-up versions, in determining the application size fee required. Accordingly, the Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings with the initial filing of the application. The Office will not count the sheets of paper making up any English translation of a non-English language specification if submitted with the application on filing. However, if the originally-filed application papers did not comply with 37 CFR 1.52, any papers filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52 (if the page count of such papers is larger than the page count of the initial submission) will be counted for the purpose of determining the application size fee due, in place of the originally-filed specification and drawings. Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c) submitted on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e) or submitted in an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing XML” on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1) and (2).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Filing, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsSequence Listing Format
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-bd7a74fff2a4e714803be8e7]
Read-Only Optical Disc Content Counted as Sheets
Note:
For application components submitted on read-only optical discs, each three kilobytes of content is counted as one sheet for fee determination.

For purposes of determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s), for an application component submitted in part on a read-only optical disc in compliance with 37 CFR 1.52(e), excluding any ASCII plain text file or XML file (as applicable) of any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e), any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c), or any “Sequence Listing XML” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a), each three kilobytes of content submitted on a read-only optical disc shall be counted as a sheet of paper. See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Filing, Search & Examination FeesSequence Listing FormatFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-9f0da9fe888804e1c8ed7749]
Sequence Listings Exclude Application Size Fee Calculation
Note:
Sequence listings submitted in ASCII plain text as part of an application file are excluded from the calculation of the application size fee.

The paper size equivalent of the specification (including claims) and drawings of an application submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be considered to be seventy five percent of the number of sheets of paper present in the specification (including claims) and drawings of the application when entered into the Office file wrapper after being rendered by the USPTO patent electronic filing system for purposes of computing the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c), submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s) if the listing is submitted in ASCII plain text as part of an associated file of the application. Any “Sequence Listing XML” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s) if the listing is submitted in XML file format as part of an associated file of the application. See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1). “Sequence Listings” or computer program listings submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in Portable Document Format (PDF) as part of the specification or as Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) drawing files would not be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Filing, Search & Examination FeesSequence Listing FormatFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-98f7ae23c848437cef1d1326]
Sequence Listing XML Excluded from Size Fee Calculation
Note:
A 'Sequence Listing XML' submitted in XML file format via the USPTO patent electronic filing system is excluded when calculating the application size fee.

The paper size equivalent of the specification (including claims) and drawings of an application submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be considered to be seventy five percent of the number of sheets of paper present in the specification (including claims) and drawings of the application when entered into the Office file wrapper after being rendered by the USPTO patent electronic filing system for purposes of computing the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c), submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s) if the listing is submitted in ASCII plain text as part of an associated file of the application. Any “Sequence Listing XML” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s) if the listing is submitted in XML file format as part of an associated file of the application. See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1). “Sequence Listings” or computer program listings submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in Portable Document Format (PDF) as part of the specification or as Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) drawing files would not be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Filing, Search & Examination FeesSequence Listing FormatFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-79abc174f427c1b90cddbe69]
PDF Sequence Listings Not Excluded for Fee Calculation
Note:
Sequence listings submitted in Portable Document Format (PDF) are included when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s).

The paper size equivalent of the specification (including claims) and drawings of an application submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be considered to be seventy five percent of the number of sheets of paper present in the specification (including claims) and drawings of the application when entered into the Office file wrapper after being rendered by the USPTO patent electronic filing system for purposes of computing the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c), submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s) if the listing is submitted in ASCII plain text as part of an associated file of the application. Any “Sequence Listing XML” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s) if the listing is submitted in XML file format as part of an associated file of the application. See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1). “Sequence Listings” or computer program listings submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in Portable Document Format (PDF) as part of the specification or as Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) drawing files would not be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Filing, Search & Examination FeesSequence Listing Format
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-668d6331d643d9f6e8a87bc4]
Excess Independent Claim Fee for Patents
Note:
Pays an additional fee for each independent claim over three in a patent application.

37 CFR 1.16(h) sets forth the excess claims fee for each independent claim in excess of three. 37 CFR 1.16(i) sets forth the excess claims fee for each claim (whether independent or dependent) in excess of twenty. The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) apply to any excess claims fee paid, regardless of the filing date of the application and regardless of the date on which the claim necessitating the excess claims fee payment was added to the application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(h)Filing, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-7a691626eb6db80b7c553bca]
Excess Claims Fee for Additional Claims
Note:
Sets the fee for each claim (independent or dependent) exceeding twenty.

37 CFR 1.16(h) sets forth the excess claims fee for each independent claim in excess of three. 37 CFR 1.16(i) sets forth the excess claims fee for each claim (whether independent or dependent) in excess of twenty. The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) apply to any excess claims fee paid, regardless of the filing date of the application and regardless of the date on which the claim necessitating the excess claims fee payment was added to the application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(h)Filing, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-3eef20f9f8602a14e08753f9]
Excess Claims Fees Apply Regardless of Filing Date
Note:
The excess claims fees apply to any excess claims fee paid, irrespective of when the application was filed or when the claim necessitating the fee was added.

37 CFR 1.16(h) sets forth the excess claims fee for each independent claim in excess of three. 37 CFR 1.16(i) sets forth the excess claims fee for each claim (whether independent or dependent) in excess of twenty. The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) apply to any excess claims fee paid, regardless of the filing date of the application and regardless of the date on which the claim necessitating the excess claims fee payment was added to the application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(h)Filing, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-d465f81dddf55d264a204d72]
Fees Required for Multiple Dependent Claims in Each Application
Note:
A separate fee is required for each application containing a proper multiple dependent claim based on the number of claims it refers to.

Fees for a proper multiple dependent claim are calculated based on the number of claims to which the multiple dependent claim refers, 37 CFR 1.75(c), and a separate fee is required in each application containing a proper multiple dependent claim. See 37 CFR 1.16(j). For an improper multiple dependent claim, the fee charged is that charged for a single dependent claim. See MPEP § 608.01(n) for multiple dependent claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.75(c)Filing, Search & Examination FeesFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-543b90a09bfba976ecc58e89]
Excess Claims Fee for Nonprovisional Applications Without Claims
Note:
Requires payment of excess claims fee if more than three independent claims, over twenty total claims, or a multiple dependent claim is presented in an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) without prior claims.

For nonprovisional applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) without claims, if more than three independent claims, more than twenty total claims, or a multiple dependent claim, are presented in the application, the excess claims fee as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(h), (i), and/or (j) is due when the excess claims are presented in the application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(h)Filing, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-02299800ae99899fad31c8b2]
Dependent Claims Must Include All Limitations
Note:
Dependent claims must include all limitations of the claim they depend on; otherwise, they and any further dependent claims based on them must be canceled.

Any claim which is in dependent form but which is so worded that it, in fact, is not a proper dependent claim, as for example it does not include every limitation of the claim on which it depends, will be required to be canceled as not being a proper dependent claim; and cancellation of any further claim depending on such a dependent claim will be similarly required. The applicant may thereupon amend the claims to place them in proper dependent form, or may redraft them as independent claims, upon payment of any necessary additional fee.

Jump to MPEP SourceFiling, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-adafedcf4091eb47e01479d0]
Amendment Cancels Claims to Reduce Fees
Note:
An amendment canceling claims reduces the number of claims considered in calculating filing fees.

An amendment canceling claims accompanying the papers constituting the application will be effective to diminish the number of claims to be considered in calculating the filing fees to be paid. A preliminary amendment filed concurrently with a response to a Notice To File Missing Parts of Application that required the fees set forth in 37 CFR 1.16, which preliminary amendment cancels or adds claims, will be taken into account in determining the appropriate fees due in response to the Notice To File Missing Parts of Application. No refund will be made for claims being canceled in the response that have already been paid for.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16Filing, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee AmountsFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-9f926f7ac6bb6a27d0bcfb32]
Preliminary Amendment Affects Fee Calculation
Note:
A preliminary amendment filed with a response to a Notice To File Missing Parts of Application that adds or cancels claims will be considered in determining the appropriate fees due.

An amendment canceling claims accompanying the papers constituting the application will be effective to diminish the number of claims to be considered in calculating the filing fees to be paid. A preliminary amendment filed concurrently with a response to a Notice To File Missing Parts of Application that required the fees set forth in 37 CFR 1.16, which preliminary amendment cancels or adds claims, will be taken into account in determining the appropriate fees due in response to the Notice To File Missing Parts of Application. No refund will be made for claims being canceled in the response that have already been paid for.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16Filing, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee PaymentMaintenance Fee Amounts
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-218e96ef898d49a97a7e24c4]
Fee for Non-DOCX Filing Applies
Note:
For non-electronic filings of original patents on or after January 17, 2024, an additional fee is required if the application is not submitted in DOCX format.

For any application filed on or after January 17, 2024 under 35 U.S.C. 111 for an original patent, except design, plant or provisional applications, when the application is filed non-electronically, the fee for not conforming to the USPTO requirements for submission in DOCX format is also applicable. See 37 CFR 1.16(u).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(u)Filing, Search & Examination FeesFee RequirementsReissue Claim Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-21c62810883b1d4584582206]
Filing Fee Requirement for Filing
Note:
The rule requires that the filing fee be paid when submitting an application.

See also MPEP § 509.

Jump to MPEP SourceFiling, Search & Examination FeesFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-26249d54a8fbfb98faae8361]
Filing Fee Authorization Covers Basic Fees
Note:
The Office treats an authorization to charge 'the filing fee' as permission to charge the basic filing, search, examination, and related fees.

Since the basic filing fee, search fee, and examination fee under the patent fee structure are often referred to as the “filing fee,” the Office will treat a deposit account authorization to charge “the filing fee” as an authorization to charge the applicable fees under 37 CFR 1.16 (the basic filing fee, search fee, examination fee, any excess claims fee, and any application size fee) to the deposit account. The Office will also treat a deposit account authorization to charge “the basic filing fee” as an authorization to charge the applicable basic filing fee, search fee, and examination fee to the deposit account. Any deposit account authorization to charge the filing fee but not the search fee or examination fee must specifically limit the authorization by reference to one or more of paragraphs (a) through (e) of 37 CFR 1.16. See MPEP § 509.01.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16Filing, Search & Examination FeesFee Payment MethodsFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-29f9eaa6b1c57abd34d428bd]
Deposit Account Authorization for Fees
Note:
The Office treats a deposit account authorization to charge the basic filing fee as an authorization to cover the basic filing, search, and examination fees.

Since the basic filing fee, search fee, and examination fee under the patent fee structure are often referred to as the “filing fee,” the Office will treat a deposit account authorization to charge “the filing fee” as an authorization to charge the applicable fees under 37 CFR 1.16 (the basic filing fee, search fee, examination fee, any excess claims fee, and any application size fee) to the deposit account. The Office will also treat a deposit account authorization to charge “the basic filing fee” as an authorization to charge the applicable basic filing fee, search fee, and examination fee to the deposit account. Any deposit account authorization to charge the filing fee but not the search fee or examination fee must specifically limit the authorization by reference to one or more of paragraphs (a) through (e) of 37 CFR 1.16. See MPEP § 509.01.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16Filing, Search & Examination FeesFee Payment MethodsFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-f067ea7233026af596b6fcdc]
Deposit Account Authorization for Filing Fee Only Must Specify Paragraphs (a)-(e) of 37 CFR 1.16
Note:
A deposit account authorization to charge the filing fee but not search or examination fees must specifically reference paragraphs (a) through (e) of 37 CFR 1.16.

Since the basic filing fee, search fee, and examination fee under the patent fee structure are often referred to as the “filing fee,” the Office will treat a deposit account authorization to charge “the filing fee” as an authorization to charge the applicable fees under 37 CFR 1.16 (the basic filing fee, search fee, examination fee, any excess claims fee, and any application size fee) to the deposit account. The Office will also treat a deposit account authorization to charge “the basic filing fee” as an authorization to charge the applicable basic filing fee, search fee, and examination fee to the deposit account. Any deposit account authorization to charge the filing fee but not the search fee or examination fee must specifically limit the authorization by reference to one or more of paragraphs (a) through (e) of 37 CFR 1.16. See MPEP § 509.01.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16Filing, Search & Examination FeesFee Payment MethodsFee Requirements
Topic

Fee Requirements

8 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-15d6fb56c0b9d4c26ecc9b57]
Fee Setting for Patent Applications
Note:
The filing fees for patent applications are set according to specific legal provisions and can be found on the USPTO’s website.

Patent application filing fees are set in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 41 and the Fee Setting Authority set forth in section 10 of Public Law 112-29, September 16, 2011 (the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act), as amended by Public Law 117-328, December 29, 2022 (Unleashing American Innovators Act). The fee amounts are available from the USPTO’s website at www.uspto.gov/Fees.

Jump to MPEP SourceFee RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination FeesAIA Overview and Effective Dates
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-6ac8b1c3033c5677c72615db]
Fee Requirements for Patent Applications
Note:
The fee amounts for patent applications are available on the USPTO’s website.

Patent application filing fees are set in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 41 and the Fee Setting Authority set forth in section 10 of Public Law 112-29, September 16, 2011 (the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act), as amended by Public Law 117-328, December 29, 2022 (Unleashing American Innovators Act). The fee amounts are available from the USPTO’s website at www.uspto.gov/Fees.

Jump to MPEP SourceFee RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination FeesAIA Overview and Effective Dates
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-32d162b278afd1b43291eba3]
Fee for Improper Multiple Dependent Claim Is Single Dependent Claim Fee
Note:
The fee charged for an improper multiple dependent claim is the same as that for a single dependent claim.

Fees for a proper multiple dependent claim are calculated based on the number of claims to which the multiple dependent claim refers, 37 CFR 1.75(c), and a separate fee is required in each application containing a proper multiple dependent claim. See 37 CFR 1.16(j). For an improper multiple dependent claim, the fee charged is that charged for a single dependent claim. See MPEP § 608.01(n) for multiple dependent claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.75(c)Fee RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination Fees
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-110be5320471c17f61f86331]
Filing Fee for Amended Claims
Note:
Payment of fees for claims in excess of previously paid is required upon submission of an amendment affecting the claims.

Upon submission of an amendment (whether entered or not) affecting the claims, payment of fees for those claims in excess of the number previously paid for is required.

Jump to MPEP SourceFee RequirementsMaintenance Fee PaymentFiling, Search & Examination Fees
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-fa41083834a11bef50ef2445]
No Refund for Paid Claims Cancelled in Response
Note:
Fees cannot be refunded for claims that are canceled in a response after they have already been paid for.

An amendment canceling claims accompanying the papers constituting the application will be effective to diminish the number of claims to be considered in calculating the filing fees to be paid. A preliminary amendment filed concurrently with a response to a Notice To File Missing Parts of Application that required the fees set forth in 37 CFR 1.16, which preliminary amendment cancels or adds claims, will be taken into account in determining the appropriate fees due in response to the Notice To File Missing Parts of Application. No refund will be made for claims being canceled in the response that have already been paid for.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16Fee RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee Amounts
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-607-f2a458bc20928f4924ea19d8]
Claims Amendments Cannot Be Refunded
Note:
Amendments to claims cannot serve as a basis for granting any refund of fees.

Amendments affecting the claims cannot serve as the basis for granting any refund. See MPEP § 607.02 subsection V for refund of excess claims fees.

Jump to MPEP SourceFee RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination Fees
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-6704e88d4ecf2b9bd1208fd4]
Order of Applying Payment for Nonprovisional Application Fees
Note:
The Office will apply an insufficient payment in a specific order to cover various fees due on filing a nonprovisional application.
In situations in which a payment submitted for the fees due on filing in a nonprovisional application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) is insufficient and the applicant has not specified the fees to which the payment is to be applied, the Office will apply the payment in the following order until the payment is expended:
Jump to MPEP SourceFee RequirementsMaintenance Fee PaymentFiling, Search & Examination Fees
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-363913b1c6b89e63a96b202b]
Provisional Application Fee Payment Allocation
Note:
When a payment for provisional application fees is insufficient and not specified, the Office allocates it to the basic filing fee, application size fee, and late filing surcharge in that order.
In situations in which a payment submitted for the fees due on filing in a provisional application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(b) is insufficient and the applicant has not specified the fees to which the payment is to be applied, the Office will apply the payment in the following order until the payment is expended:
Jump to MPEP SourceFee RequirementsMaintenance Fee PaymentFiling, Search & Examination Fees
Topic

Maintenance Fee Amounts

3 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-6021413b9e16aa1c7e9f0e82]
Exclusion of Sequence Listing from Application Size Fee Calculation
Note:
This rule excludes ASCII plain text, XML files, and computer readable forms of sequence listings from the application size fee calculation.

The application size fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s) applies to any application (including any provisional applications and any reissue applications) filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 the specification (including claims) and drawings of which exceed 100 sheets of paper. The calculation of the application size fee required excludes any American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) plain text file or any eXtensible Markup Language XML file (as applicable) submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system for any “Sequence Listing,” any computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing,” any “Sequence Listing XML,” or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix.” See 37 CFR 1.52(f). The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof over 100 sheets of paper. A preliminary amendment that is present on the filing date of the application is part of the original disclosure of the application. See MPEP § 714.01(e), subsection II. Thus, the Office will count the pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date of the application, including multiple sets of drawings or multiple sets of a specification, e.g., clean and marked-up versions, in determining the application size fee required. Accordingly, the Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings with the initial filing of the application. The Office will not count the sheets of paper making up any English translation of a non-English language specification if submitted with the application on filing. However, if the originally-filed application papers did not comply with 37 CFR 1.52, any papers filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52 (if the page count of such papers is larger than the page count of the initial submission) will be counted for the purpose of determining the application size fee due, in place of the originally-filed specification and drawings. Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c) submitted on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e) or submitted in an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing XML” on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1) and (2).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Maintenance Fee AmountsSequence Listing FormatFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-3daf97ccb738f8d9645da82a]
Fee Applies for Each Additional 50 Sheets Over 100
Note:
The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets of paper over the initial 100 sheets.

The application size fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s) applies to any application (including any provisional applications and any reissue applications) filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 the specification (including claims) and drawings of which exceed 100 sheets of paper. The calculation of the application size fee required excludes any American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) plain text file or any eXtensible Markup Language XML file (as applicable) submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system for any “Sequence Listing,” any computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing,” any “Sequence Listing XML,” or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix.” See 37 CFR 1.52(f). The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof over 100 sheets of paper. A preliminary amendment that is present on the filing date of the application is part of the original disclosure of the application. See MPEP § 714.01(e), subsection II. Thus, the Office will count the pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date of the application, including multiple sets of drawings or multiple sets of a specification, e.g., clean and marked-up versions, in determining the application size fee required. Accordingly, the Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings with the initial filing of the application. The Office will not count the sheets of paper making up any English translation of a non-English language specification if submitted with the application on filing. However, if the originally-filed application papers did not comply with 37 CFR 1.52, any papers filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52 (if the page count of such papers is larger than the page count of the initial submission) will be counted for the purpose of determining the application size fee due, in place of the originally-filed specification and drawings. Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c) submitted on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e) or submitted in an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing XML” on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1) and (2).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Maintenance Fee AmountsFee RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination Fees
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-607-59a8d7d83b7e1e16faa55e4e]
Dependent Claims Must Include All Limitations
Note:
Claims in dependent form must include all limitations of the claim they depend on; otherwise, they must be redrafted as independent claims or canceled.

Any claim which is in dependent form but which is so worded that it, in fact, is not a proper dependent claim, as for example it does not include every limitation of the claim on which it depends, will be required to be canceled as not being a proper dependent claim; and cancellation of any further claim depending on such a dependent claim will be similarly required. The applicant may thereupon amend the claims to place them in proper dependent form, or may redraft them as independent claims, upon payment of any necessary additional fee.

Jump to MPEP SourceMaintenance Fee AmountsFee RequirementsMaintenance Fee Payment
Topic

Reissue Fees

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-1a513028910391c424812f3b]
Excess Claims Fees Apply to Reissue Applications
Note:
The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) are required for all reissue applications, regardless of the number of independent or dependent claims presented.

The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) also apply to all reissue applications. Under 35 U.S.C. 41(a)(2), the claims in the original patent are not taken into account in determining the excess claims fee for a reissue application. The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) are required for each independent claim in excess of three that is presented in a reissue application and for each claim (whether independent or dependent) in excess of twenty that is presented in a reissue application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(h)Reissue FeesFiling, Search & Examination FeesReissue Patent Practice
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-24b9e8e9e08165d98166bebb]
Claims in Original Patent Not Considered for Reissue Fee
Note:
The claims from the original patent do not affect the calculation of excess claims fees for a reissue application.

The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) also apply to all reissue applications. Under 35 U.S.C. 41(a)(2), the claims in the original patent are not taken into account in determining the excess claims fee for a reissue application. The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) are required for each independent claim in excess of three that is presented in a reissue application and for each claim (whether independent or dependent) in excess of twenty that is presented in a reissue application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(h)Reissue FeesReissue Application FilingFee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-b9f6922ed39a9d7f8a786806]
Excess Claims Fees for Reissue Applications
Note:
Requires fees for each independent claim over three and each additional claim over twenty in a reissue application.

The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) also apply to all reissue applications. Under 35 U.S.C. 41(a)(2), the claims in the original patent are not taken into account in determining the excess claims fee for a reissue application. The excess claims fees specified in 37 CFR 1.16(h) and (i) are required for each independent claim in excess of three that is presented in a reissue application and for each claim (whether independent or dependent) in excess of twenty that is presented in a reissue application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(h)Reissue FeesFiling, Search & Examination FeesReissue Application Filing
Topic

Provisional Application Requirements

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-ecb8aabd905cb1b9e49db7b8]
Basic Filing Fee Required for Provisional Applications
Note:
The basic filing fee must be paid upon filing a provisional application under 35 U.S.C. 111(b), with payment allowed later if accompanied by a surcharge.

For provisional applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(b), the basic filing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(d) is required. The basic filing fee is due on filing of the provisional application, but may be paid later, if paid within the time period set forth in 37 CFR 1.53(g) and accompanied by payment of a surcharge as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(g).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(d)Provisional Application RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee Amounts
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-607-a3aa5dc3cde2b9bdf3fe8a5c]
Provisional Application Filing Fee Requirement
Note:
The basic filing fee for provisional applications must be paid on filing, but can be deferred if paid within the time period and accompanied by a surcharge.

For provisional applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(b), the basic filing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(d) is required. The basic filing fee is due on filing of the provisional application, but may be paid later, if paid within the time period set forth in 37 CFR 1.53(g) and accompanied by payment of a surcharge as set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(g).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(d)Provisional Application RequirementsProvisional ApplicationsFiling, Search & Examination Fees
Topic

Specification Amendments

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-c9345fb71a807221cd10063b]
Fee Applies to Excess Pages in Specification and Drawings
Note:
The application size fee applies when the specification (including claims) and drawings exceed 100 sheets of paper.

The application size fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s) applies to any application (including any provisional applications and any reissue applications) filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 the specification (including claims) and drawings of which exceed 100 sheets of paper. The calculation of the application size fee required excludes any American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) plain text file or any eXtensible Markup Language XML file (as applicable) submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system for any “Sequence Listing,” any computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing,” any “Sequence Listing XML,” or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix.” See 37 CFR 1.52(f). The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof over 100 sheets of paper. A preliminary amendment that is present on the filing date of the application is part of the original disclosure of the application. See MPEP § 714.01(e), subsection II. Thus, the Office will count the pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date of the application, including multiple sets of drawings or multiple sets of a specification, e.g., clean and marked-up versions, in determining the application size fee required. Accordingly, the Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings with the initial filing of the application. The Office will not count the sheets of paper making up any English translation of a non-English language specification if submitted with the application on filing. However, if the originally-filed application papers did not comply with 37 CFR 1.52, any papers filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52 (if the page count of such papers is larger than the page count of the initial submission) will be counted for the purpose of determining the application size fee due, in place of the originally-filed specification and drawings. Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c) submitted on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e) or submitted in an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing XML” on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1) and (2).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Specification AmendmentsFiling, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee Amounts
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-38ef1e6200f692dd95fe50c7]
No Substitute Specification with Initial Filing
Note:
The Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings along with the initial application submission.

The application size fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s) applies to any application (including any provisional applications and any reissue applications) filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 the specification (including claims) and drawings of which exceed 100 sheets of paper. The calculation of the application size fee required excludes any American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) plain text file or any eXtensible Markup Language XML file (as applicable) submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system for any “Sequence Listing,” any computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing,” any “Sequence Listing XML,” or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix.” See 37 CFR 1.52(f). The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof over 100 sheets of paper. A preliminary amendment that is present on the filing date of the application is part of the original disclosure of the application. See MPEP § 714.01(e), subsection II. Thus, the Office will count the pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date of the application, including multiple sets of drawings or multiple sets of a specification, e.g., clean and marked-up versions, in determining the application size fee required. Accordingly, the Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings with the initial filing of the application. The Office will not count the sheets of paper making up any English translation of a non-English language specification if submitted with the application on filing. However, if the originally-filed application papers did not comply with 37 CFR 1.52, any papers filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52 (if the page count of such papers is larger than the page count of the initial submission) will be counted for the purpose of determining the application size fee due, in place of the originally-filed specification and drawings. Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c) submitted on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e) or submitted in an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing XML” on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1) and (2).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Specification AmendmentsFiling, Search & Examination FeesTranslation Requirements
Topic

Nonprovisional Applications

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-16f015ad56483092081ffbd0]
Fees Due on Nonprovisional Application Filing
Note:
Basic filing, search and examination fees must be paid upon submission of a nonprovisional application, with late payment allowed within specified time limits.

The basic filing, search and examination fees are due on filing of the nonprovisional application under 35 U.S.C. 111(a). These fees may be paid on a date later than the filing date of the application provided they are paid within the time period set forth in 37 CFR 1.53(f) and include the surcharge set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(f).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.53(f)Nonprovisional ApplicationsMaintenance Fee PaymentFiling, Search & Examination Fees
Topic

National Stage Fees

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-b7cdb5c1292c69f646b0f3a9]
Fees Required for National Entry
Note:
The rule requires the payment of fees for international applications entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371.

For international applications entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, see 37 CFR 1.492 for the required fees. See also MPEP § 1893.01(c). For international design applications under 35 U.S.C. 385, see 37 CFR 1.1031 for the required fees.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.492National Stage FeesNationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)
Topic

International Design Application Fees

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-2eae5b9c9387730907ea1296]
Fees Required for International Design Applications
Note:
The rule specifies that fees must be paid for international design applications under 35 U.S.C. 385.

For international applications entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, see 37 CFR 1.492 for the required fees. See also MPEP § 1893.01(c). For international design applications under 35 U.S.C. 385, see 37 CFR 1.1031 for the required fees.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.492International Design Application FeesInternational Design ApplicationsNational Stage Entry Requirements
Topic

Reissue Application Filing

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-9a4d56a1faec4a80247ef65d]
Filing Fee for Reissue Applications
Note:
The rule outlines the filing fee requirements for reissue applications as detailed in MPEP § 1415.

See also MPEP § 1415 for reissue application fees.

Jump to MPEP SourceReissue Application FilingReissue Patent PracticeReissue Fees
Topic

Support in Original Patent

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-86858045c91ebe1c7c40abd9]
Preliminary Amendment Counts Toward Application Size Fee
Note:
The Office includes pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date when determining the application size fee, including multiple sets of drawings or specifications.

The application size fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s) applies to any application (including any provisional applications and any reissue applications) filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 the specification (including claims) and drawings of which exceed 100 sheets of paper. The calculation of the application size fee required excludes any American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) plain text file or any eXtensible Markup Language XML file (as applicable) submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system for any “Sequence Listing,” any computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing,” any “Sequence Listing XML,” or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix.” See 37 CFR 1.52(f). The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof over 100 sheets of paper. A preliminary amendment that is present on the filing date of the application is part of the original disclosure of the application. See MPEP § 714.01(e), subsection II. Thus, the Office will count the pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date of the application, including multiple sets of drawings or multiple sets of a specification, e.g., clean and marked-up versions, in determining the application size fee required. Accordingly, the Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings with the initial filing of the application. The Office will not count the sheets of paper making up any English translation of a non-English language specification if submitted with the application on filing. However, if the originally-filed application papers did not comply with 37 CFR 1.52, any papers filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52 (if the page count of such papers is larger than the page count of the initial submission) will be counted for the purpose of determining the application size fee due, in place of the originally-filed specification and drawings. Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c) submitted on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e) or submitted in an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing XML” on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1) and (2).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Support in Original PatentNo New Matter in ReissueSpecification Amendments
Topic

Translation Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-b08a6bb8af9ca11c8feda09f]
English Translation Not Counted for Fee
Note:
The Office will not count the pages of an English translation submitted with a non-English language specification when determining the application size fee, unless additional papers are filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52.

The application size fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(s) applies to any application (including any provisional applications and any reissue applications) filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 the specification (including claims) and drawings of which exceed 100 sheets of paper. The calculation of the application size fee required excludes any American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) plain text file or any eXtensible Markup Language XML file (as applicable) submitted on read-only optical disc or via the USPTO patent electronic filing system for any “Sequence Listing,” any computer readable form (CRF) of a “Sequence Listing,” any “Sequence Listing XML,” or a “Computer Program Listing Appendix.” See 37 CFR 1.52(f). The application size fee applies for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof over 100 sheets of paper. A preliminary amendment that is present on the filing date of the application is part of the original disclosure of the application. See MPEP § 714.01(e), subsection II. Thus, the Office will count the pages of a preliminary amendment present on the filing date of the application, including multiple sets of drawings or multiple sets of a specification, e.g., clean and marked-up versions, in determining the application size fee required. Accordingly, the Office does not recommend filing a substitute specification or multiple sets of drawings with the initial filing of the application. The Office will not count the sheets of paper making up any English translation of a non-English language specification if submitted with the application on filing. However, if the originally-filed application papers did not comply with 37 CFR 1.52, any papers filed to comply with 37 CFR 1.52 (if the page count of such papers is larger than the page count of the initial submission) will be counted for the purpose of determining the application size fee due, in place of the originally-filed specification and drawings. Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c) submitted on a read-only optical disc under 37 CFR 1.52(e) or submitted in an ASCII plain text file via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing XML” on a read-only optical disc or submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1) and (2).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Translation RequirementsColumn and Line ReferencesSpecification Amendments
Topic

Drawing Standards

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-f76aa952cad50c0bb73e271b]
Specification and Drawings Paper Size Equivalent for Filing Fees
Note:
The paper size equivalent of the specification (including claims) and drawings submitted via USPTO electronic filing system is calculated as 75% of the actual number of sheets when determining the application size fee.

The paper size equivalent of the specification (including claims) and drawings of an application submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be considered to be seventy five percent of the number of sheets of paper present in the specification (including claims) and drawings of the application when entered into the Office file wrapper after being rendered by the USPTO patent electronic filing system for purposes of computing the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s). Any “Sequence Listing” or CRF of a “Sequence Listing” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.821(c) or (e) and any “Computer Program Listing Appendix” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.96(c), submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s) if the listing is submitted in ASCII plain text as part of an associated file of the application. Any “Sequence Listing XML” in compliance with 37 CFR 1.831(a) submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system will be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s) if the listing is submitted in XML file format as part of an associated file of the application. See 37 CFR 1.52(f)(1). “Sequence Listings” or computer program listings submitted via the USPTO patent electronic filing system in Portable Document Format (PDF) as part of the specification or as Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) drawing files would not be excluded when determining the application size fee required by 37 CFR 1.16(s).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(s)Drawing StandardsFiling, Search & Examination FeesFee Requirements
Topic

Sequence Listing Format

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-08e58cb7bec0b7e89a21e816]
Oversized Sequence Listings Require Special Handling
Note:
This rule requires that oversized submissions of sequence listings or XML files must follow specific procedures as detailed in MPEP § 2422.03 et seq.

For information on oversized submissions of a “Sequence Listing" or a “Sequence Listing XML” under 37 CFR 1.52(f)(3), see MPEP § 2422.03 et seq.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.52(f)(3)Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination Fees
Topic

First Action on Merits (FAOM)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-85f63fea03a4d42c3e44eb50]
Amendments Before First Action Not Allowed
Note:
Applicant cannot file amendments before the first action or without full additional fee for extra claims.

Amendments before the first action, or not filed in reply to an Office action, presenting additional claims in excess of the number already paid for, not accompanied by the full additional fee due, will not be entered in whole or in part and applicant will be so advised. Such amendments filed in reply to an Office action will be regarded as not responsive thereto and the practice set forth in MPEP § 714.03 will be followed.

Jump to MPEP SourceFirst Action on Merits (FAOM)First Action on MeritsTypes of Office Actions
Topic

Maintenance Fee Payment

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-607-f2c39111aec3306912400241]
Amendment Fees Must Be Paid Before Review
Note:
The additional fees for an amendment must be paid before the examiner will consider it.

The additional fees, if any, due with an amendment are required prior to any consideration of the amendment by the examiner.

Jump to MPEP SourceMaintenance Fee PaymentFiling, Search & Examination FeesMaintenance Fee Amounts
Topic

Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-c80d2e8013dc5ff020dc25e1]
Excess Claims Fees for Reexamination
Note:
Fees apply to additional claims submitted during a reexamination proceeding.

Excess claims fees set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(c)(3) and (c)(4) apply to excess claims that are presented during a reexamination proceeding.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.20(c)(3)Post-Issuance & Maintenance FeesFiling, Search & Examination FeesFee Requirements
Topic

International Stage Fees

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-607-c6054c80a92b498500c4877b]
Additional Fee for Non-Electronic Patent Applications
Note:
An additional fee is required for filing original patent applications not submitted electronically, starting November 15, 2011.

Section 10(h) of Public Law 112-29, September 16, 2011 (the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act) provided that an additional fee be established for each application for an original (i.e., non-reissue) patent, except for a design, plant, or provisional application, not filed by electronic means. See 37 CFR 1.16(t) for the non-electronic fee applicable to applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) filed on or after November 15, 2011 other than by the USPTO patent electronic filing system. See 37 CFR 1.445(a)(1)(ii) for the non-electronic filing fee portion of the transmittal fee due in an international application filed with the USPTO as receiving Office on or after November 15, 2011.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.16(t)International Stage FeesReceiving Office (RO/US)Filing, Search & Examination Fees

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
35 U.S.C. § 111
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
International Stage Fees
Nonprovisional Applications
35 U.S.C. § 111(a)
Fee Requirements
Provisional Application Requirements
35 U.S.C. § 111(b)
International Design Application Fees
National Stage Fees
35 U.S.C. § 371
International Design Application Fees
National Stage Fees
35 U.S.C. § 385
Fee Requirements35 U.S.C. § 41
Reissue Fees35 U.S.C. § 41(a)(2)
International Design Application Fees
National Stage Fees
37 CFR § 1.1031
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
37 CFR § 1.16
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
37 CFR § 1.16(a)
Fee Requirements
Provisional Application Requirements
37 CFR § 1.16(d)
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Nonprovisional Applications
37 CFR § 1.16(f)
Fee Requirements
Provisional Application Requirements
37 CFR § 1.16(g)
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Reissue Fees
37 CFR § 1.16(h)
Filing, Search & Examination Fees37 CFR § 1.16(i)
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
37 CFR § 1.16(j)
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
37 CFR § 1.16(k)
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
37 CFR § 1.16(o)
Drawing Standards
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
37 CFR § 1.16(s)
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
International Stage Fees
37 CFR § 1.16(t)
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
37 CFR § 1.16(u)
Fee Requirements37 CFR § 1.17(i)
Post-Issuance & Maintenance Fees37 CFR § 1.20(c)(3)
International Stage Fees37 CFR § 1.445(a)(1)(ii)
International Design Application Fees
National Stage Fees
37 CFR § 1.492
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
37 CFR § 1.52
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
37 CFR § 1.52(e)
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
37 CFR § 1.52(f)
Drawing Standards
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
37 CFR § 1.52(f)(1)
Sequence Listing Format37 CFR § 1.52(f)(3)
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Nonprovisional Applications
37 CFR § 1.53(f)
Provisional Application Requirements37 CFR § 1.53(g)
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
37 CFR § 1.75(c)
Drawing Standards
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
37 CFR § 1.821(c)
Drawing Standards
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
37 CFR § 1.831(a)
Drawing Standards
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
37 CFR § 1.96(c)
Reissue Application FilingMPEP § 1415
International Design Application Fees
National Stage Fees
MPEP § 1893.01(c)
Sequence Listing FormatMPEP § 2422.03
Filing, Search & Examination FeesMPEP § 509
Filing, Search & Examination FeesMPEP § 509.01
Fee RequirementsMPEP § 607.02
Fee Requirements
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
MPEP § 608.01(n)
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Maintenance Fee Amounts
Specification Amendments
Support in Original Patent
Translation Requirements
MPEP § 714.01(e)
First Action on Merits (FAOM)MPEP § 714.03

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31