MPEP § 1893.01(c) — Fees (Annotated Rules)
§1893.01(c) Fees
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1893.01(c), 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.
Fees
This section addresses Fees. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 111(a), 35 U.S.C. 371, and 37 CFR 1.495(a). Contains: 3 requirements and 9 other statements.
Key Rules
Surcharge Fee Amount
The basic national fee must be paid prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date to avoid abandonment of the international application as to the United States. This time period is not extendable. 37 CFR 1.495(a) – (b). This is distinguished from U.S. national application filings under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) in which the basic filing fee due on filing may be later accepted with a surcharge. Accordingly, in situations in which a payment of fees has been made in a national stage application prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date, but the applicant has not specified a sufficient amount for the payment of the basic national fee, the Office will apply the payment first to the basic national fee regardless of whether the applicant specified the fees to which the payment is to be applied.
The basic national fee must be paid prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date to avoid abandonment of the international application as to the United States. This time period is not extendable. 37 CFR 1.495(a) – (b). This is distinguished from U.S. national application filings under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) in which the basic filing fee due on filing may be later accepted with a surcharge. Accordingly, in situations in which a payment of fees has been made in a national stage application prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date, but the applicant has not specified a sufficient amount for the payment of the basic national fee, the Office will apply the payment first to the basic national fee regardless of whether the applicant specified the fees to which the payment is to be applied.
The processing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.492(i) will be required for acceptance of an English translation of the international application later than the expiration of thirty months after the priority date, and the surcharge fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.492(h) will be required for acceptance of any of the search fee, examination fee, or inventor’s oath or declaration after the date of commencement. 37 CFR 1.495(c)(4).
The processing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.492(i) will be required for acceptance of an English translation of the international application later than the expiration of thirty months after the priority date, and the surcharge fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.492(h) will be required for acceptance of any of the search fee, examination fee, or inventor’s oath or declaration after the date of commencement. 37 CFR 1.495(c)(4).
National Stage Fees
Fees under 37 CFR 1.16 relate to national applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), and not to international applications entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371. National stage fees are specifically provided for in 37 CFR 1.492. However, an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.16 in an international application entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be treated as an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.492. See 37 CFR 1.25(b). Accordingly, applications will not be held abandoned if an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.16 has been provided instead of an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.492.
Fees under 37 CFR 1.16 relate to national applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), and not to international applications entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371. National stage fees are specifically provided for in 37 CFR 1.492. However, an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.16 in an international application entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be treated as an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.492. See 37 CFR 1.25(b). Accordingly, applications will not be held abandoned if an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.16 has been provided instead of an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.492.
The application size fee for a national stage application (37 CFR 1.492(j)) is determined on the basis of the international application as published by WIPO pursuant to PCT Article 21. Specifically, the application size fee is calculated on the basis of the number of sheets of specification (including the description, claims, abstract, and, if present, a sequence listing in portable document format (PDF)) and drawings present in the published international application. This calculation is made without regard to the language of publication. Certain other sheets typically present in the international publication are not taken into account in determining the application size fee, e.g., Article 19 amendments/statement, the international search report, and any additional bibliographic sheets (other than the cover sheet containing the abstract). Nor are Article 34 amendments or preliminary amendments taken into account in determining the application size fee.
Article 19 Amendment Scope
A preliminary amendment accompanying the initial national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 that is effective to cancel claims and/or eliminate multiple dependent claims will be effective to reduce the number of claims to be considered in calculating extra claim fees required under 37 CFR 1.492(d) – (e) and/or eliminate the multiple dependent claim fee required under 37 CFR 1.492(f). A subsequently filed amendment canceling claims and/or eliminating multiple dependent claims will not entitle applicant to a refund of fees previously paid. See MPEP §§ 607 and 608.
A preliminary amendment accompanying the initial national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 that is effective to cancel claims and/or eliminate multiple dependent claims will be effective to reduce the number of claims to be considered in calculating extra claim fees required under 37 CFR 1.492(d) – (e) and/or eliminate the multiple dependent claim fee required under 37 CFR 1.492(f). A subsequently filed amendment canceling claims and/or eliminating multiple dependent claims will not entitle applicant to a refund of fees previously paid. See MPEP §§ 607 and 608.
The application size fee for a national stage application (37 CFR 1.492(j)) is determined on the basis of the international application as published by WIPO pursuant to PCT Article 21. Specifically, the application size fee is calculated on the basis of the number of sheets of specification (including the description, claims, abstract, and, if present, a sequence listing in portable document format (PDF)) and drawings present in the published international application. This calculation is made without regard to the language of publication. Certain other sheets typically present in the international publication are not taken into account in determining the application size fee, e.g., Article 19 amendments/statement, the international search report, and any additional bibliographic sheets (other than the cover sheet containing the abstract). Nor are Article 34 amendments or preliminary amendments taken into account in determining the application size fee.
Nationals and Residents
The basic national fee must be paid prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date to avoid abandonment of the international application as to the United States. This time period is not extendable. 37 CFR 1.495(a) – (b). This is distinguished from U.S. national application filings under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) in which the basic filing fee due on filing may be later accepted with a surcharge. Accordingly, in situations in which a payment of fees has been made in a national stage application prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date, but the applicant has not specified a sufficient amount for the payment of the basic national fee, the Office will apply the payment first to the basic national fee regardless of whether the applicant specified the fees to which the payment is to be applied.
Fees under 37 CFR 1.16 relate to national applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), and not to international applications entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371. National stage fees are specifically provided for in 37 CFR 1.492. However, an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.16 in an international application entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be treated as an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.492. See 37 CFR 1.25(b). Accordingly, applications will not be held abandoned if an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.16 has been provided instead of an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.492.
Effect of International Filing
The basic national fee must be paid prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date to avoid abandonment of the international application as to the United States. This time period is not extendable. 37 CFR 1.495(a) – (b). This is distinguished from U.S. national application filings under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) in which the basic filing fee due on filing may be later accepted with a surcharge. Accordingly, in situations in which a payment of fees has been made in a national stage application prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date, but the applicant has not specified a sufficient amount for the payment of the basic national fee, the Office will apply the payment first to the basic national fee regardless of whether the applicant specified the fees to which the payment is to be applied.
Publication Language
The application size fee for a national stage application (37 CFR 1.492(j)) is determined on the basis of the international application as published by WIPO pursuant to PCT Article 21. Specifically, the application size fee is calculated on the basis of the number of sheets of specification (including the description, claims, abstract, and, if present, a sequence listing in portable document format (PDF)) and drawings present in the published international application. This calculation is made without regard to the language of publication. Certain other sheets typically present in the international publication are not taken into account in determining the application size fee, e.g., Article 19 amendments/statement, the international search report, and any additional bibliographic sheets (other than the cover sheet containing the abstract). Nor are Article 34 amendments or preliminary amendments taken into account in determining the application size fee.
Statement Under Article 19
The application size fee for a national stage application (37 CFR 1.492(j)) is determined on the basis of the international application as published by WIPO pursuant to PCT Article 21. Specifically, the application size fee is calculated on the basis of the number of sheets of specification (including the description, claims, abstract, and, if present, a sequence listing in portable document format (PDF)) and drawings present in the published international application. This calculation is made without regard to the language of publication. Certain other sheets typically present in the international publication are not taken into account in determining the application size fee, e.g., Article 19 amendments/statement, the international search report, and any additional bibliographic sheets (other than the cover sheet containing the abstract). Nor are Article 34 amendments or preliminary amendments taken into account in determining the application size fee.
National Stage Entry Requirements
The application size fee for a national stage application (37 CFR 1.492(j)) is determined on the basis of the international application as published by WIPO pursuant to PCT Article 21. Specifically, the application size fee is calculated on the basis of the number of sheets of specification (including the description, claims, abstract, and, if present, a sequence listing in portable document format (PDF)) and drawings present in the published international application. This calculation is made without regard to the language of publication. Certain other sheets typically present in the international publication are not taken into account in determining the application size fee, e.g., Article 19 amendments/statement, the international search report, and any additional bibliographic sheets (other than the cover sheet containing the abstract). Nor are Article 34 amendments or preliminary amendments taken into account in determining the application size fee.
Fee Requirements
Because the national stage fees are subject to change, applicants and examiners should always consult the Official Gazette for the current fee listing.
Citations
| Primary topic | Citation |
|---|---|
| Effect of International Filing National Stage Fees Nationals and Residents Surcharge Fee Amount | 35 U.S.C. § 111(a) |
| Article 19 Amendment Scope National Stage Fees Nationals and Residents | 35 U.S.C. § 371 |
| National Stage Fees Nationals and Residents | 37 CFR § 1.16 |
| National Stage Fees Nationals and Residents | 37 CFR § 1.25(b) |
| National Stage Fees Nationals and Residents | 37 CFR § 1.492 |
| Article 19 Amendment Scope | 37 CFR § 1.492(d) |
| Article 19 Amendment Scope | 37 CFR § 1.492(f) |
| Surcharge Fee Amount | 37 CFR § 1.492(h) |
| Surcharge Fee Amount | 37 CFR § 1.492(i) |
| Article 19 Amendment Scope National Stage Entry Requirements National Stage Fees Publication Language Statement Under Article 19 | 37 CFR § 1.492(j) |
| Effect of International Filing Nationals and Residents Surcharge Fee Amount | 37 CFR § 1.495(a) |
| Surcharge Fee Amount | 37 CFR § 1.495(c)(4) |
| Article 19 Amendment Scope | MPEP § 607 |
| Article 19 Amendment Scope National Stage Entry Requirements National Stage Fees Publication Language Statement Under Article 19 | PCT Article 21 |
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.
Official MPEP § 1893.01(c) — Fees
Source: USPTO1893.01(c) Fees [R-01.2024]
Because the national stage fees are subject to change, applicants and examiners should always consult the Official Gazette for the current fee listing.
The basic national fee must be paid prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date to avoid abandonment of the international application as to the United States. This time period is not extendable. 37 CFR 1.495(a) – (b). This is distinguished from U.S. national application filings under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) in which the basic filing fee due on filing may be later accepted with a surcharge. Accordingly, in situations in which a payment of fees has been made in a national stage application prior to the expiration of 30 months from the priority date, but the applicant has not specified a sufficient amount for the payment of the basic national fee, the Office will apply the payment first to the basic national fee regardless of whether the applicant specified the fees to which the payment is to be applied.
Fees under 37 CFR 1.16 relate to national applications under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), and not to international applications entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371. National stage fees are specifically provided for in 37 CFR 1.492. However, an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.16 in an international application entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be treated as an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.492. See 37 CFR 1.25(b). Accordingly, applications will not be held abandoned if an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.16 has been provided instead of an authorization to charge fees under 37 CFR 1.492.
A preliminary amendment accompanying the initial national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 that is effective to cancel claims and/or eliminate multiple dependent claims will be effective to reduce the number of claims to be considered in calculating extra claim fees required under 37 CFR 1.492(d) – (e) and/or eliminate the multiple dependent claim fee required under 37 CFR 1.492(f). A subsequently filed amendment canceling claims and/or eliminating multiple dependent claims will not entitle applicant to a refund of fees previously paid. See MPEP §§ 607 and 608.
The application size fee for a national stage application (37 CFR 1.492(j)) is determined on the basis of the international application as published by WIPO pursuant to PCT Article 21. Specifically, the application size fee is calculated on the basis of the number of sheets of specification (including the description, claims, abstract, and, if present, a sequence listing in portable document format (PDF)) and drawings present in the published international application. This calculation is made without regard to the language of publication. Certain other sheets typically present in the international publication are not taken into account in determining the application size fee, e.g., Article 19 amendments/statement, the international search report, and any additional bibliographic sheets (other than the cover sheet containing the abstract). Nor are Article 34 amendments or preliminary amendments taken into account in determining the application size fee.
The processing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.492(i) will be required for acceptance of an English translation of the international application later than the expiration of thirty months after the priority date, and the surcharge fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.492(h) will be required for acceptance of any of the search fee, examination fee, or inventor’s oath or declaration after the date of commencement. 37 CFR 1.495(c)(4).