MPEP § 323 — Procedures for Correcting Errors in Recorded Assignment Document (Annotated Rules)

§323 Procedures for Correcting Errors in Recorded Assignment Document

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 323, 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.

Procedures for Correcting Errors in Recorded Assignment Document

This section addresses Procedures for Correcting Errors in Recorded Assignment Document. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.21(h). Contains: 3 requirements, 1 guidance statement, 1 permission, and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Miscellaneous Fees

4 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-323-08e5a580dcf2be47adfb1092]
Corrective Document Must Identify Error Location
Note:
The submission must be marked as a corrective document and specify the reel and frame number of the incorrectly recorded assignment document.

The new recordation form cover sheet must identify the submission as a “corrective document” submission and indicate the reel and frame number where the incorrectly recorded assignment document appears. The original cover sheet should be submitted with the corrective document. The corrective document will be recorded and given a new reel and frame number and recording date. The recording fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.21(h) is required for each patent application and patent against which the corrective document is being recorded. See MPEP § 302.06.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.21(h)Miscellaneous FeesFee RequirementsAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-323-f0b3d9a26ee234e153199969]
Original Cover Sheet Required for Corrective Document
Note:
The original cover sheet must be submitted with a corrective document to correct an incorrectly recorded assignment document.

The new recordation form cover sheet must identify the submission as a “corrective document” submission and indicate the reel and frame number where the incorrectly recorded assignment document appears. The original cover sheet should be submitted with the corrective document. The corrective document will be recorded and given a new reel and frame number and recording date. The recording fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.21(h) is required for each patent application and patent against which the corrective document is being recorded. See MPEP § 302.06.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.21(h)Miscellaneous FeesFee RequirementsAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-323-35fb20ececf92197adc4af2c]
Corrective Document Must Be Recorded With New Reel and Frame Number
Note:
A corrective document must be recorded with a new reel and frame number, along with the original cover sheet, and requires payment of the recording fee.

The new recordation form cover sheet must identify the submission as a “corrective document” submission and indicate the reel and frame number where the incorrectly recorded assignment document appears. The original cover sheet should be submitted with the corrective document. The corrective document will be recorded and given a new reel and frame number and recording date. The recording fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.21(h) is required for each patent application and patent against which the corrective document is being recorded. See MPEP § 302.06.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.21(h)Miscellaneous FeesFee RequirementsAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-323-11a71b759c668a61a5069201]
Recording Fee Required for Corrective Documents
Note:
The recording fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.21(h) must be paid for each patent application and patent against which a corrective document is recorded.

The new recordation form cover sheet must identify the submission as a “corrective document” submission and indicate the reel and frame number where the incorrectly recorded assignment document appears. The original cover sheet should be submitted with the corrective document. The corrective document will be recorded and given a new reel and frame number and recording date. The recording fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.21(h) is required for each patent application and patent against which the corrective document is being recorded. See MPEP § 302.06.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.21(h)Miscellaneous FeesFee RequirementsAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)
Topic

Assignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-323-52216368994c418f1c2a5e94]
Recorded Assignment Documents Cannot Be Expunged Even If Invalid
Note:
Office policy requires maintaining a complete history of property interests, so recorded assignment documents will not be removed even if found invalid.

Office policy regarding recordation of assignment documents is directed toward maintaining a complete history of claimed interests in property and, therefore, recorded assignment documents will not be expunged even if subsequently found to be invalid. See In re Ratny, 24 USPQ2d 1713 (Comm’r Pat. 1992). Once a document is recorded with the Assignment Recordation Branch, the Assignment Recordation Branch will not remove the papers from the record relating to that application or patent. See MPEP § 323.01(d).

Jump to MPEP SourceAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-323-af1ea9b41a72daebaa1036ba]
Recorded Assignments Not Expunged Even If Invalid
Note:
Once an assignment document is recorded, it cannot be removed from the record even if found invalid.

Office policy regarding recordation of assignment documents is directed toward maintaining a complete history of claimed interests in property and, therefore, recorded assignment documents will not be expunged even if subsequently found to be invalid. See In re Ratny, 24 USPQ2d 1713 (Comm’r Pat. 1992). Once a document is recorded with the Assignment Recordation Branch, the Assignment Recordation Branch will not remove the papers from the record relating to that application or patent. See MPEP § 323.01(d).

Jump to MPEP SourceAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-323-04d3de89f94fd7516712a7a4]
Assignment Documents Cannot Be Removed Once Recorded
Note:
Once an assignment document is recorded with the Assignment Recordation Branch, it cannot be removed from the record, even if found invalid.

Office policy regarding recordation of assignment documents is directed toward maintaining a complete history of claimed interests in property and, therefore, recorded assignment documents will not be expunged even if subsequently found to be invalid. See In re Ratny, 24 USPQ2d 1713 (Comm’r Pat. 1992). Once a document is recorded with the Assignment Recordation Branch, the Assignment Recordation Branch will not remove the papers from the record relating to that application or patent. See MPEP § 323.01(d).

Jump to MPEP SourceAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)
Topic

Grounds for Reissue

2 rules
MPEP GuidanceRequiredAlways
[mpep-323-ca999641721384772f1598e0]
Requirement for Submitting Corrective Document to Amend Recorded Assignment
Note:
A corrective document must be submitted to the Assignment Recordation Branch with a copy of the original assignment document showing corrections initialed and dated by the party conveying the interest, along with a new Recordation Form Cover Sheet.
An error in a recorded assignment document will be corrected by Assignment Recordation Branch provided a “corrective document” is submitted. The “corrective document” must include the following:
  • (A) A copy of the original assignment document with the corrections made therein. The corrections must be initialed and dated by the party conveying the interest; and
  • (B) A new Recordation Form Cover Sheet (form PTO-1595) (See MPEP § 302.07).
Jump to MPEP SourceGrounds for ReissueAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)Reissue Patent Practice
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-323-2b51e79ac1693ec5ec22dbc3]
New Recordation Form Cover Sheet Required for Corrections
Note:
A new Recordation Form Cover Sheet (form PTO-1595) must be included in the corrective document submitted to correct an error in a recorded assignment document.

An error in a recorded assignment document will be corrected by Assignment Recordation Branch provided a “corrective document” is submitted. The “corrective document” must include the following:

(B) A new Recordation Form Cover Sheet (form PTO-1595) (See MPEP § 302.07).

Jump to MPEP SourceGrounds for ReissueAssignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)Reissue Patent Practice
Topic

Change of Name and Merger (MPEP 314-315)

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-323-effccd5b6645c9ac071d6bdb]
Corrections for Mergers and Name Changes
Note:
Permits corrections to the original assignment document by lining out incorrect patent or application numbers during a merger or change of name.

Corrections may be made on the original assignment document, for example, by lining out an incorrect patent or application number in a merger or change of name (see MPEP § 314).

Jump to MPEP SourceChange of Name and Merger (MPEP 314-315)Assignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Miscellaneous Fees37 CFR § 1.21(h)
Miscellaneous FeesMPEP § 302.06
Grounds for ReissueMPEP § 302.07
Change of Name and Merger (MPEP 314-315)MPEP § 314
Assignment and Ownership (MPEP Chapter 300)MPEP § 323.01(d)

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