MPEP § 1893.01(a)(2) — Article 19 Amendment (Filed With the International Bureau) (Annotated Rules)

§1893.01(a)(2) Article 19 Amendment (Filed With the International Bureau)

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1893.01(a)(2), 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.

Article 19 Amendment (Filed With the International Bureau)

This section addresses Article 19 Amendment (Filed With the International Bureau). Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 371(d), 35 U.S.C. 371, and 37 CFR 1.121. Contains: 3 requirements, 1 prohibition, 2 permissions, and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Article 19 Amendment Scope

3 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1893-01-a-2-472260e90d517cab26d8259e]
Amendments After Search Report Issuance Permitted
Note:
Claims of an international application may be amended after the search report is issued, but not the description or drawings. The amendments must be in English and submitted by the national stage commencement date.

The claims of an international application may be amended under PCT Article 19 after issuance of the search report. The description and drawings may not be amended under PCT Article 19. The amendment is forwarded to the U.S. Designated Office by the International Bureau for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application. Article 19 amendments including a complete claim set in English will be entered by replacing the original English language claims of the international application with the amended claim set. If the Article 19 amendments were made in a language other than English, applicant must provide an English translation for the U.S. national stage application. The Article 19 amendment(s) and the English translation of the amendment(s) must be received by the Office by the date of commencement of the national stage (see MPEP § 1893.01). Otherwise, the amendment(s) will be considered to be canceled, 35 U.S.C. 371(d). If such canceled amendments are desired, they must be offered under 37 CFR 1.121 as a preliminary amendment or a responsive amendment under 37 CFR 1.111. In this regard, the “Transmittal Letter To The United States Designated/Elected Office (DO/EO/US) Concerning A Submission Under 35 U.S.C. 371” (Form PTO-1390) available at www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms includes a check box by which the applicant may expressly instruct the U.S. Designated/Elected Office not to enter the Article 19 amendment(s) in the United States national stage application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.121Article 19 Amendment ScopeArticle 19 Amendment TimingInternational Searching Authority (ISA)
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-01-a-2-f750998ae99344d4ede42337]
Amendment Forwarded to U.S. Designated Office for National Stage Application
Note:
The amendment is sent by the International Bureau to the U.S. Designated Office for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application.

The claims of an international application may be amended under PCT Article 19 after issuance of the search report. The description and drawings may not be amended under PCT Article 19. The amendment is forwarded to the U.S. Designated Office by the International Bureau for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application. Article 19 amendments including a complete claim set in English will be entered by replacing the original English language claims of the international application with the amended claim set. If the Article 19 amendments were made in a language other than English, applicant must provide an English translation for the U.S. national stage application. The Article 19 amendment(s) and the English translation of the amendment(s) must be received by the Office by the date of commencement of the national stage (see MPEP § 1893.01). Otherwise, the amendment(s) will be considered to be canceled, 35 U.S.C. 371(d). If such canceled amendments are desired, they must be offered under 37 CFR 1.121 as a preliminary amendment or a responsive amendment under 37 CFR 1.111. In this regard, the “Transmittal Letter To The United States Designated/Elected Office (DO/EO/US) Concerning A Submission Under 35 U.S.C. 371” (Form PTO-1390) available at www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms includes a check box by which the applicant may expressly instruct the U.S. Designated/Elected Office not to enter the Article 19 amendment(s) in the United States national stage application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.121Article 19 Amendment ScopeStatement Under Article 19Nationals and Residents
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-01-a-2-1438f875ef31fb337ff0c52f]
Claims Must Be Amended Completely In English
Note:
The claims of the international application must be fully replaced with a new claim set in English for Article 19 amendments.

The claims of an international application may be amended under PCT Article 19 after issuance of the search report. The description and drawings may not be amended under PCT Article 19. The amendment is forwarded to the U.S. Designated Office by the International Bureau for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application. Article 19 amendments including a complete claim set in English will be entered by replacing the original English language claims of the international application with the amended claim set. If the Article 19 amendments were made in a language other than English, applicant must provide an English translation for the U.S. national stage application. The Article 19 amendment(s) and the English translation of the amendment(s) must be received by the Office by the date of commencement of the national stage (see MPEP § 1893.01). Otherwise, the amendment(s) will be considered to be canceled, 35 U.S.C. 371(d). If such canceled amendments are desired, they must be offered under 37 CFR 1.121 as a preliminary amendment or a responsive amendment under 37 CFR 1.111. In this regard, the “Transmittal Letter To The United States Designated/Elected Office (DO/EO/US) Concerning A Submission Under 35 U.S.C. 371” (Form PTO-1390) available at www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms includes a check box by which the applicant may expressly instruct the U.S. Designated/Elected Office not to enter the Article 19 amendment(s) in the United States national stage application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.121Article 19 Amendment ScopePCT Claims FormatTranslation Requirements
Topic

Statement Under Article 19

3 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1893-01-a-2-7b7f47dc371fe27df0a639cb]
Article 19 Amendments and English Translations Must Be Received By National Stage Commencement Date
Note:
The Article 19 amendments including complete claim sets in English and their translations must be submitted by the national stage commencement date.

The claims of an international application may be amended under PCT Article 19 after issuance of the search report. The description and drawings may not be amended under PCT Article 19. The amendment is forwarded to the U.S. Designated Office by the International Bureau for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application. Article 19 amendments including a complete claim set in English will be entered by replacing the original English language claims of the international application with the amended claim set. If the Article 19 amendments were made in a language other than English, applicant must provide an English translation for the U.S. national stage application. The Article 19 amendment(s) and the English translation of the amendment(s) must be received by the Office by the date of commencement of the national stage (see MPEP § 1893.01). Otherwise, the amendment(s) will be considered to be canceled, 35 U.S.C. 371(d). If such canceled amendments are desired, they must be offered under 37 CFR 1.121 as a preliminary amendment or a responsive amendment under 37 CFR 1.111. In this regard, the “Transmittal Letter To The United States Designated/Elected Office (DO/EO/US) Concerning A Submission Under 35 U.S.C. 371” (Form PTO-1390) available at www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms includes a check box by which the applicant may expressly instruct the U.S. Designated/Elected Office not to enter the Article 19 amendment(s) in the United States national stage application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.121Statement Under Article 19Nationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1893-01-a-2-d2570c201078df5578c9299f]
Canceled Article 19 Amendments Must Be Resubmitted
Note:
If amendments made under PCT Article 19 are canceled, they must be resubmitted as preliminary or responsive amendments.

The claims of an international application may be amended under PCT Article 19 after issuance of the search report. The description and drawings may not be amended under PCT Article 19. The amendment is forwarded to the U.S. Designated Office by the International Bureau for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application. Article 19 amendments including a complete claim set in English will be entered by replacing the original English language claims of the international application with the amended claim set. If the Article 19 amendments were made in a language other than English, applicant must provide an English translation for the U.S. national stage application. The Article 19 amendment(s) and the English translation of the amendment(s) must be received by the Office by the date of commencement of the national stage (see MPEP § 1893.01). Otherwise, the amendment(s) will be considered to be canceled, 35 U.S.C. 371(d). If such canceled amendments are desired, they must be offered under 37 CFR 1.121 as a preliminary amendment or a responsive amendment under 37 CFR 1.111. In this regard, the “Transmittal Letter To The United States Designated/Elected Office (DO/EO/US) Concerning A Submission Under 35 U.S.C. 371” (Form PTO-1390) available at www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms includes a check box by which the applicant may expressly instruct the U.S. Designated/Elected Office not to enter the Article 19 amendment(s) in the United States national stage application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.121Statement Under Article 19Amendments in National StagePCT Article 19 Amendments
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1893-01-a-2-498e6ab6fc424843a430c480]
Option to Exclude Article 19 Amendments from US National Stage
Note:
Applicants can choose not to include PCT Article 19 amendments in their U.S. national stage application via a check box on Form PTO-1390.

The claims of an international application may be amended under PCT Article 19 after issuance of the search report. The description and drawings may not be amended under PCT Article 19. The amendment is forwarded to the U.S. Designated Office by the International Bureau for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application. Article 19 amendments including a complete claim set in English will be entered by replacing the original English language claims of the international application with the amended claim set. If the Article 19 amendments were made in a language other than English, applicant must provide an English translation for the U.S. national stage application. The Article 19 amendment(s) and the English translation of the amendment(s) must be received by the Office by the date of commencement of the national stage (see MPEP § 1893.01). Otherwise, the amendment(s) will be considered to be canceled, 35 U.S.C. 371(d). If such canceled amendments are desired, they must be offered under 37 CFR 1.121 as a preliminary amendment or a responsive amendment under 37 CFR 1.111. In this regard, the “Transmittal Letter To The United States Designated/Elected Office (DO/EO/US) Concerning A Submission Under 35 U.S.C. 371” (Form PTO-1390) available at www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms includes a check box by which the applicant may expressly instruct the U.S. Designated/Elected Office not to enter the Article 19 amendment(s) in the United States national stage application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.121Statement Under Article 19Article 19 Amendment TimingNationals and Residents
Topic

PCT Description Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-1893-01-a-2-3216af492bdb377a0dc3be96]
Description and Drawings Cannot Be Amended Under PCT Article 19
Note:
The description and drawings of an international application cannot be amended after the search report is issued under PCT Article 19.

The claims of an international application may be amended under PCT Article 19 after issuance of the search report. The description and drawings may not be amended under PCT Article 19. The amendment is forwarded to the U.S. Designated Office by the International Bureau for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application. Article 19 amendments including a complete claim set in English will be entered by replacing the original English language claims of the international application with the amended claim set. If the Article 19 amendments were made in a language other than English, applicant must provide an English translation for the U.S. national stage application. The Article 19 amendment(s) and the English translation of the amendment(s) must be received by the Office by the date of commencement of the national stage (see MPEP § 1893.01). Otherwise, the amendment(s) will be considered to be canceled, 35 U.S.C. 371(d). If such canceled amendments are desired, they must be offered under 37 CFR 1.121 as a preliminary amendment or a responsive amendment under 37 CFR 1.111. In this regard, the “Transmittal Letter To The United States Designated/Elected Office (DO/EO/US) Concerning A Submission Under 35 U.S.C. 371” (Form PTO-1390) available at www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms includes a check box by which the applicant may expressly instruct the U.S. Designated/Elected Office not to enter the Article 19 amendment(s) in the United States national stage application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.121PCT Description RequirementsPCT Article 19 AmendmentsPCT Description and Claims
Topic

Nationals and Residents

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1893-01-a-2-b791be61337fabf0fa3be5b0]
Article 19 Amendments Must Be Translated to English for U.S. National Stage
Note:
If Article 19 amendments are made in a language other than English, the applicant must provide an English translation for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application.

The claims of an international application may be amended under PCT Article 19 after issuance of the search report. The description and drawings may not be amended under PCT Article 19. The amendment is forwarded to the U.S. Designated Office by the International Bureau for inclusion in the U.S. national stage application. Article 19 amendments including a complete claim set in English will be entered by replacing the original English language claims of the international application with the amended claim set. If the Article 19 amendments were made in a language other than English, applicant must provide an English translation for the U.S. national stage application. The Article 19 amendment(s) and the English translation of the amendment(s) must be received by the Office by the date of commencement of the national stage (see MPEP § 1893.01). Otherwise, the amendment(s) will be considered to be canceled, 35 U.S.C. 371(d). If such canceled amendments are desired, they must be offered under 37 CFR 1.121 as a preliminary amendment or a responsive amendment under 37 CFR 1.111. In this regard, the “Transmittal Letter To The United States Designated/Elected Office (DO/EO/US) Concerning A Submission Under 35 U.S.C. 371” (Form PTO-1390) available at www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms includes a check box by which the applicant may expressly instruct the U.S. Designated/Elected Office not to enter the Article 19 amendment(s) in the United States national stage application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.121Nationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)National Stage Entry Requirements

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Nationals and Residents
PCT Description Requirements
Statement Under Article 19
35 U.S.C. § 371
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Nationals and Residents
PCT Description Requirements
Statement Under Article 19
35 U.S.C. § 371(d)
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Nationals and Residents
PCT Description Requirements
Statement Under Article 19
37 CFR § 1.111
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Nationals and Residents
PCT Description Requirements
Statement Under Article 19
37 CFR § 1.121
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Nationals and Residents
PCT Description Requirements
Statement Under Article 19
MPEP § 1893.01
Article 19 Amendment Scope
Nationals and Residents
PCT Description Requirements
Statement Under Article 19
PCT Article 19

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

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BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31