MPEP § 2815 — Time for Deciding Request (Annotated Rules)

§2815 Time for Deciding Request

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 2815, 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.

Time for Deciding Request

This section addresses Time for Deciding Request. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 257(a), 37 CFR 1.620(a), and 37 CFR 1.620. Contains: 2 guidance statements, 1 permission, and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Reexamination Certificate

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2815-946477ca7a5fdfbe80fef181]
Supplemental Examination Proceeding Concludes with Certificate Issuance
Note:
The examiner’s determination on a supplemental examination request is indicated by the issuance of a supplemental examination certificate after the three-month period.

Within 3 months following the filing date of a request for supplemental examination, the examiner will determine whether a SNQ affecting any claim of the patent is raised by any of the items of information properly presented in the request. See 35 U.S.C. 257(a) and 37 CFR 1.620(a). A supplemental examination proceeding concludes with the issuance of a supplemental examination certificate, indicating the results of the examiner’s determination. If the three-month period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, then the certificate should issue by the preceding business day.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(a)Reexamination CertificateDetermination on RequestConclusion of Ex Parte Reexamination
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2815-d46e0ad7e1022d969721b13b]
Supplemental Examination Certificate Before Holiday
Note:
If the three-month period for supplemental examination ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday in DC, the certificate must be issued by the preceding business day.

Within 3 months following the filing date of a request for supplemental examination, the examiner will determine whether a SNQ affecting any claim of the patent is raised by any of the items of information properly presented in the request. See 35 U.S.C. 257(a) and 37 CFR 1.620(a). A supplemental examination proceeding concludes with the issuance of a supplemental examination certificate, indicating the results of the examiner’s determination. If the three-month period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, then the certificate should issue by the preceding business day.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(a)Reexamination CertificateConclusion of Ex Parte ReexaminationSupplemental Examination Certificate
Topic

Supplemental Examination

2 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-2815-d273404156439355b9ac72d7]
Examiner Response After 6 Weeks
Note:
The examiner must respond to a supplemental examination request approximately 6 weeks after its filing date.

The examiner should take up a request about 6 weeks after the request’s filing date. A determination on the supplemental examination request may be made at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent. See MPEP § 2808.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620Supplemental Examination
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-2815-defcd412bf524d12303a5223]
Determination on Supplemental Exam at Any Time During Patent Enforceability
Note:
A decision on a supplemental examination request can be made anytime during the patent's enforceable period.

The examiner should take up a request about 6 weeks after the request’s filing date. A determination on the supplemental examination request may be made at any time during the period of enforceability of a patent. See MPEP § 2808.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620Supplemental Examination
Topic

SNQ Criteria

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-2815-f43335dc6347d98f294af379]
Examiner Must Determine SNQ After Request Filing
Note:
The examiner must review any new information presented in a supplemental examination request within three months to determine if it raises a substantial new question affecting the patent claims.

Within 3 months following the filing date of a request for supplemental examination, the examiner will determine whether a SNQ affecting any claim of the patent is raised by any of the items of information properly presented in the request. See 35 U.S.C. 257(a) and 37 CFR 1.620(a). A supplemental examination proceeding concludes with the issuance of a supplemental examination certificate, indicating the results of the examiner’s determination. If the three-month period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday within the District of Columbia, then the certificate should issue by the preceding business day.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.620(a)SNQ CriteriaDetermination on RequestReexamination After Supplemental Exam

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Reexamination Certificate
SNQ Criteria
35 U.S.C. § 257(a)
Reexamination Certificate
SNQ Criteria
37 CFR § 1.620(a)
Supplemental ExaminationMPEP § 2808

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