MPEP § 2413.01(c) — The “Sequence Listing XML” Must Contain an XML Declaration (Annotated Rules)

§2413.01(c) The “Sequence Listing XML” Must Contain an XML Declaration

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2413.01(c), 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.

The “Sequence Listing XML” Must Contain an XML Declaration

This section addresses The “Sequence Listing XML” Must Contain an XML Declaration. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.831(b) and 37 CFR 1.833. Contains: 2 requirements, 1 permission, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Sequence Listing Format

3 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2413-01-c-8abdc16fa0804b1ae452f61a]
XML Format for Sequence Listings Required
Note:
The 'Sequence Listing XML' must contain an XML declaration as required by the Sequence Listing format rules.

[Editor Note: This section is applicable to all applications with a filing date, or, for national phase applications, an international filing date, on or after July 1, 2022, having disclosure of one or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as defined in 37 CFR 1.831(b). Formatting representations of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) elements in this section appear different than shown in Standard ST.26, which may be accessed at: www.wipo.int /export/sites/www/standards/en/pdf/03-26-01.pdf.]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.831(b)Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing RequirementsSequence Listing Content
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2413-01-c-80ffd96a2a3f7c98805e0abb]
XML Declaration Required for Sequence Listing
Note:
The 'Sequence Listing XML' must include an XML declaration as per WIPO Standard ST.26.
(b) The “Sequence Listing XML” presented in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section must further:
  • *****
  • (2) Comply with the requirements of WIPO Standard ST.26 to include:
    • (i) An XML declaration as defined in paragraph 39(a) of WIPO Standard ST.26;
Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.833Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing RequirementsSequence Listing Content
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-2413-01-c-1d7e13e87e5548b4e278c11b]
XML Declaration Must Be First Line of Sequence Listing XML
Note:
The first line of the XML instance for a sequence listing must contain the XML declaration as specified in WIPO Standard ST.26, paragraph 39(a).

WIPO Standard ST.26, paragraph 39(a), specifies that the first line of the XML instance must contain the XML declaration, which is:

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.833Sequence Listing FormatSequence Listing ContentSequence Listing Requirements
Topic

Sequence Listing Content

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2413-01-c-89712e84a9629a7f08b1132b]
XML Declaration Required for Sequence Listings
Note:
The 'Sequence Listing XML' must contain an XML declaration as of July 1, 2022.

[Editor Note: This section is applicable to all applications with a filing date, or, for national phase applications, an international filing date, on or after July 1, 2022, having disclosure of one or more nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as defined in 37 CFR 1.831(b). Formatting representations of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) elements in this section appear different than shown in Standard ST.26, which may be accessed at: www.wipo.int /export/sites/www/standards/en/pdf/03-26-01.pdf.]

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.831(b)Sequence Listing ContentSequence Listing RequirementsSequence Listing Format

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Sequence Listing Content
Sequence Listing Format
37 CFR § 1.831(b)

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