MPEP § 317 — Handling of Documents in the Assignment Recordation Branch (Annotated Rules)

§317 Handling of Documents in the Assignment Recordation Branch

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 317, 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.

Handling of Documents in the Assignment Recordation Branch

This section addresses Handling of Documents in the Assignment Recordation Branch. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.181. Contains: 1 permission and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Petition to Supervisory Authority (37 CFR 1.181)

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-317-8af9b37c5f1e08fe0dea6244]
Nonrecordable Documents Returned with Explanation
Note:
Documents and cover sheets deemed nonrecordable are returned to the sender by the Assignment Recordation Branch with an explanation. If the sender disagrees, they may petition the Director under 37 CFR 1.181.

Documents and cover sheets that are considered not to be recordable are returned to the sender by the Assignment Recordation Branch with an explanation. If the sender disagrees or believes that the document represents an unusual case which justifies recordation, the sender may present the question to the Director by way of petition under 37 CFR 1.181, filed with the Office of Petitions.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.181Petition to Supervisory Authority (37 CFR 1.181)Petition Procedures (MPEP 1002)Director Authority and Petitions (MPEP 1000)
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-317-6e4e6ddf1b91795cfb229ca6]
Sender Can Petition for Unusual Case Recordation
Note:
If the sender disagrees with a document being returned as non-recordable, they may petition the Director under 37 CFR 1.181 if they believe it represents an unusual case justifying recordation.

Documents and cover sheets that are considered not to be recordable are returned to the sender by the Assignment Recordation Branch with an explanation. If the sender disagrees or believes that the document represents an unusual case which justifies recordation, the sender may present the question to the Director by way of petition under 37 CFR 1.181, filed with the Office of Petitions.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.181Petition to Supervisory Authority (37 CFR 1.181)Petition Procedures (MPEP 1002)Director Authority and Petitions (MPEP 1000)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Petition to Supervisory Authority (37 CFR 1.181)37 CFR § 1.181

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