MPEP § 1129 — Request for Early Publication (Annotated Rules)

§1129 Request for Early Publication

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1129, 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.

Request for Early Publication

This section addresses Request for Early Publication. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.211, 37 CFR 1.211(a), and 37 CFR 1.18(d). Contains: 2 requirements, 2 permissions, and 4 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Filing, Search & Examination Fees

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1129-9bfe6ee39ed4f8ecf217f035]
Application Can Be Published Soon If Ready
Note:
The Office will publish an application as soon as possible if it meets all requirements and is ready for publication.

If an applicant wishes to have an application published earlier than the date that is eighteen months after the earliest filing date for which benefit is claimed, applicant may submit a request in compliance with 37 CFR 1.219 and the publication fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.18(d). The Office will publish the application as soon as possible if the application is otherwise ready for publication. The publication process takes approximately 14 weeks and does not begin until the application is complete and ready for publication (e.g., an executed oath or declaration has been filed and the filing fee has been paid). See MPEP § 1120. The Office will not give any consideration to requests for publication on a certain date. Note that if early publication is requested, and the publication fee paid, applicant will not be required to pay the publication fee at allowance.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.219Filing, Search & Examination FeesIssue FeesFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1129-52cf3f1433628bdd1fdb9798]
Application Must Be Complete Before Publication
Note:
The application must be fully complete, including an executed oath or declaration and payment of the filing fee, before the publication process begins, which takes approximately 14 weeks.

If an applicant wishes to have an application published earlier than the date that is eighteen months after the earliest filing date for which benefit is claimed, applicant may submit a request in compliance with 37 CFR 1.219 and the publication fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.18(d). The Office will publish the application as soon as possible if the application is otherwise ready for publication. The publication process takes approximately 14 weeks and does not begin until the application is complete and ready for publication (e.g., an executed oath or declaration has been filed and the filing fee has been paid). See MPEP § 1120. The Office will not give any consideration to requests for publication on a certain date. Note that if early publication is requested, and the publication fee paid, applicant will not be required to pay the publication fee at allowance.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.219Filing, Search & Examination FeesFee RequirementsIssue Fees
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1129-20507c05bb1fac83bd6762f3]
Office Will Not Consider Specific Publication Dates
Note:
The Office will not accept requests for specific publication dates, ensuring applications are published once they meet all requirements.

If an applicant wishes to have an application published earlier than the date that is eighteen months after the earliest filing date for which benefit is claimed, applicant may submit a request in compliance with 37 CFR 1.219 and the publication fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.18(d). The Office will publish the application as soon as possible if the application is otherwise ready for publication. The publication process takes approximately 14 weeks and does not begin until the application is complete and ready for publication (e.g., an executed oath or declaration has been filed and the filing fee has been paid). See MPEP § 1120. The Office will not give any consideration to requests for publication on a certain date. Note that if early publication is requested, and the publication fee paid, applicant will not be required to pay the publication fee at allowance.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.219Filing, Search & Examination FeesIssue FeesFee Requirements
Topic

Request for Early Publication

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1129-744208051acc27f6dbbb89dc]
Publication Fee Required for Early Publication Request
Note:
Applicants must pay the publication fee set forth in § 1.18(d) when requesting early publication of their application.

Applications that will be published under § 1.211 may be published earlier than as set forth in § 1.211(a) at the request of the applicant. Any request for early publication must be accompanied by the publication fee set forth in § 1.18(d). If the applicant does not submit a copy of the application in compliance with the USPTO patent electronic filing system requirements pursuant to § 1.215(c), the Office will publish the application as provided in § 1.215(a). No consideration will be given to requests for publication on a certain date, and such requests will be treated as a request for publication as soon as possible.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.211Request for Early PublicationIssue FeesFee Requirements
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1129-0dbe6ce5b46b1f3bf2260111]
Application Must Comply with Electronic Filing System for Early Publication
Note:
The application must meet USPTO electronic filing system requirements to be considered for early publication; otherwise, it will be published as soon as possible.

Applications that will be published under § 1.211 may be published earlier than as set forth in § 1.211(a) at the request of the applicant. Any request for early publication must be accompanied by the publication fee set forth in § 1.18(d). If the applicant does not submit a copy of the application in compliance with the USPTO patent electronic filing system requirements pursuant to § 1.215(c), the Office will publish the application as provided in § 1.215(a). No consideration will be given to requests for publication on a certain date, and such requests will be treated as a request for publication as soon as possible.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.211Request for Early PublicationPublication of Patent ApplicationsIssue Fees
Topic

Issue Fees

2 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1129-11f259ccec43d22d8c591cc7]
Request for Early Publication Before 18 Months
Note:
An applicant may request early publication of their application before the 18-month deadline by submitting a compliant request and paying the required fee.

If an applicant wishes to have an application published earlier than the date that is eighteen months after the earliest filing date for which benefit is claimed, applicant may submit a request in compliance with 37 CFR 1.219 and the publication fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.18(d). The Office will publish the application as soon as possible if the application is otherwise ready for publication. The publication process takes approximately 14 weeks and does not begin until the application is complete and ready for publication (e.g., an executed oath or declaration has been filed and the filing fee has been paid). See MPEP § 1120. The Office will not give any consideration to requests for publication on a certain date. Note that if early publication is requested, and the publication fee paid, applicant will not be required to pay the publication fee at allowance.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.219Issue FeesFee RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination Fees
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1129-fef7e95200fc3b203b9fc1a9]
Early Publication Fee Waived at Allowance
Note:
If early publication is requested and the fee is paid, applicant will not need to pay the allowance fee.

If an applicant wishes to have an application published earlier than the date that is eighteen months after the earliest filing date for which benefit is claimed, applicant may submit a request in compliance with 37 CFR 1.219 and the publication fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.18(d). The Office will publish the application as soon as possible if the application is otherwise ready for publication. The publication process takes approximately 14 weeks and does not begin until the application is complete and ready for publication (e.g., an executed oath or declaration has been filed and the filing fee has been paid). See MPEP § 1120. The Office will not give any consideration to requests for publication on a certain date. Note that if early publication is requested, and the publication fee paid, applicant will not be required to pay the publication fee at allowance.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.219Issue FeesFee RequirementsFiling, Search & Examination Fees
Topic

Publication of Patent Applications

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1129-4fef677d98febafd72e52846]
Request for Early Patent Application Publication
Note:
Applicants can request to publish their patent application earlier than specified, subject to the payment of a fee and compliance with electronic filing requirements.

Applications that will be published under § 1.211 may be published earlier than as set forth in § 1.211(a) at the request of the applicant. Any request for early publication must be accompanied by the publication fee set forth in § 1.18(d). If the applicant does not submit a copy of the application in compliance with the USPTO patent electronic filing system requirements pursuant to § 1.215(c), the Office will publish the application as provided in § 1.215(a). No consideration will be given to requests for publication on a certain date, and such requests will be treated as a request for publication as soon as possible.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.211Publication of Patent ApplicationsRequest for Early PublicationIssue Fees

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Issue Fees
Publication of Patent Applications
Request for Early Publication
37 CFR § 1.18(d)
Publication of Patent Applications
Request for Early Publication
37 CFR § 1.211
Publication of Patent Applications
Request for Early Publication
37 CFR § 1.211(a)
Publication of Patent Applications
Request for Early Publication
37 CFR § 1.215(a)
Publication of Patent Applications
Request for Early Publication
37 CFR § 1.215(c)
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Issue Fees
37 CFR § 1.219
Filing, Search & Examination Fees
Issue Fees
MPEP § 1120

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