MPEP § 1893.03(g) — Information Disclosure Statement in a National Stage Application (Annotated Rules)

§1893.03(g) Information Disclosure Statement in a National Stage Application

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1893.03(g), 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.

Information Disclosure Statement in a National Stage Application

This section addresses Information Disclosure Statement in a National Stage Application. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 111(a), 35 U.S.C. 365(a), and 35 U.S.C. 371. Contains: 1 requirement and 4 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

International Searching Authority (ISA)

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-c49281fc18d828539b2d335b]
ISA Search Report and Citations Must Be Present
Note:
The examiner will consider the international search report and any cited documents when both are present in the national stage file without further action by the applicant.

When all the requirements for a national stage application have been completed, applicant is notified (Form PCT/DO/EO/903) of the acceptance of the application under 35 U.S.C. 371, including an itemized list of the items received. The itemized list includes an indication of whether a copy of the international search report and copies of the references cited therein are present in the national stage file. The examiner will consider the documents cited in the international search report and any supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis, without any further action by applicant under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98, when both the international search report (or supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis) and copies of the documents are indicated to be present in the national stage file. The examiner will note the consideration in the first Office action. There is no requirement that the examiners list the documents on a PTO-892 form. See form paragraphs 6.53, 6.54, and 6.55 (reproduced in MPEP § 609.03). Otherwise, applicant must follow the procedure set forth in 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 in order to ensure that the examiner considers the documents cited in the international search report.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.97International Searching Authority (ISA)International Search ReportAmendments in National Stage
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-009431cb4552dc6edb663ff5]
Documents Cited from International Search Report Must Be Submitted
Note:
Applicant must submit copies of documents cited in the international search report as required by 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 to ensure the examiner considers them.

When all the requirements for a national stage application have been completed, applicant is notified (Form PCT/DO/EO/903) of the acceptance of the application under 35 U.S.C. 371, including an itemized list of the items received. The itemized list includes an indication of whether a copy of the international search report and copies of the references cited therein are present in the national stage file. The examiner will consider the documents cited in the international search report and any supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis, without any further action by applicant under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98, when both the international search report (or supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis) and copies of the documents are indicated to be present in the national stage file. The examiner will note the consideration in the first Office action. There is no requirement that the examiners list the documents on a PTO-892 form. See form paragraphs 6.53, 6.54, and 6.55 (reproduced in MPEP § 609.03). Otherwise, applicant must follow the procedure set forth in 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 in order to ensure that the examiner considers the documents cited in the international search report.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.97International Searching Authority (ISA)International Search ReportInterviews in National Stage
Topic

IDS Fees and Certification

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-472f396f6a5e6b23a1569050]
Duty to Disclose Material Information for National Stage Applications
Note:
The duty to disclose information material to patentability as defined in 37 CFR 1.56 applies to individuals associated with filing and prosecuting U.S. national stage applications, similar to domestic applications.

An extensive discussion of Information Disclosure Statement practice is to be found in MPEP § 609. Although not specifically stated therein, the duty to disclose information material to patentability as defined in 37 CFR 1.56 is placed on individuals associated with the filing and prosecution of a national stage application in the same manner as for a domestic national application. The averment with respect to the duty under 37 CFR 1.56 required under 37 CFR 1.63(b)(3) in an oath or declaration is applicable to oaths and declarations filed in U.S. national stage applications. See 37 CFR 1.497(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.56IDS Fees and CertificationInformation Disclosure StatementTiming of Duty
Topic

Timing of Duty

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-587cc1b1b78d010b7b4eaaa9]
Duty to Disclose Material Information for National Stage Applications
Note:
Individuals associated with filing and prosecuting national stage applications must disclose information material to patentability as required for domestic applications.

An extensive discussion of Information Disclosure Statement practice is to be found in MPEP § 609. Although not specifically stated therein, the duty to disclose information material to patentability as defined in 37 CFR 1.56 is placed on individuals associated with the filing and prosecution of a national stage application in the same manner as for a domestic national application. The averment with respect to the duty under 37 CFR 1.56 required under 37 CFR 1.63(b)(3) in an oath or declaration is applicable to oaths and declarations filed in U.S. national stage applications. See 37 CFR 1.497(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.56Timing of DutyMaterial Information DefinitionDuty of Disclosure Fundamentals
Topic

Duty of Disclosure Fundamentals

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-fd6310f2f2d94dbb940ce187]
Duty to Disclose Material Information Required for Oaths/Declarations in National Stage Applications
Note:
Oath or declaration filed in U.S. national stage applications must include an averment regarding the duty under 37 CFR 1.56 as required by 37 CFR 1.63(b)(3).

An extensive discussion of Information Disclosure Statement practice is to be found in MPEP § 609. Although not specifically stated therein, the duty to disclose information material to patentability as defined in 37 CFR 1.56 is placed on individuals associated with the filing and prosecution of a national stage application in the same manner as for a domestic national application. The averment with respect to the duty under 37 CFR 1.56 required under 37 CFR 1.63(b)(3) in an oath or declaration is applicable to oaths and declarations filed in U.S. national stage applications. See 37 CFR 1.497(c).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.56Duty of Disclosure FundamentalsDuty of DisclosureTiming of Duty
Topic

Article 19 Amendment Scope

1 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-2769273f03a7d7c572232107]
U.S. Examiner Must Consider International Cited Documents
Note:
The U.S. examiner is required to consider prior art documents cited in the international application during examination of a national stage application or an application claiming its benefit under PCT.

When an international application is filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), prior art documents may be cited by the examiner in the international search report and/or the international preliminary examination report. It is desirable for the U.S. examiner to consider the documents cited in the international application when examining the U.S. national stage application or when examining an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) which claims the benefit of the international application under 35 U.S.C. 365(a) or (c).

Jump to MPEP SourceArticle 19 Amendment ScopeArticle 19 Amendment TimingNationals and Residents
Topic

National Stage Entry Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-e173cefaf36bc5f1f0cbf7df]
Notification of National Stage Application Acceptance
Note:
Applicant is notified (Form PCT/DO/EO/903) upon completion of all national stage application requirements, including an itemized list of received items and indication of international search report presence.

When all the requirements for a national stage application have been completed, applicant is notified (Form PCT/DO/EO/903) of the acceptance of the application under 35 U.S.C. 371, including an itemized list of the items received. The itemized list includes an indication of whether a copy of the international search report and copies of the references cited therein are present in the national stage file. The examiner will consider the documents cited in the international search report and any supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis, without any further action by applicant under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98, when both the international search report (or supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis) and copies of the documents are indicated to be present in the national stage file. The examiner will note the consideration in the first Office action. There is no requirement that the examiners list the documents on a PTO-892 form. See form paragraphs 6.53, 6.54, and 6.55 (reproduced in MPEP § 609.03). Otherwise, applicant must follow the procedure set forth in 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 in order to ensure that the examiner considers the documents cited in the international search report.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.97National Stage Entry RequirementsAmendments in National StageRequest Content and Form
Topic

Citation of References (MPEP 707.05)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-87a40133f54533cc9f016c89]
Itemized List of Received Documents Must Include Search Report References
Note:
The itemized list must indicate whether copies of the international search report and references cited therein are present in the national stage file.

When all the requirements for a national stage application have been completed, applicant is notified (Form PCT/DO/EO/903) of the acceptance of the application under 35 U.S.C. 371, including an itemized list of the items received. The itemized list includes an indication of whether a copy of the international search report and copies of the references cited therein are present in the national stage file. The examiner will consider the documents cited in the international search report and any supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis, without any further action by applicant under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98, when both the international search report (or supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis) and copies of the documents are indicated to be present in the national stage file. The examiner will note the consideration in the first Office action. There is no requirement that the examiners list the documents on a PTO-892 form. See form paragraphs 6.53, 6.54, and 6.55 (reproduced in MPEP § 609.03). Otherwise, applicant must follow the procedure set forth in 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 in order to ensure that the examiner considers the documents cited in the international search report.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.97Citation of References (MPEP 707.05)International Searching Authority (ISA)International Search Report
Topic

First Action on Merits (FAOM)

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-1e04993339a475e39ad2ad54]
Examiner Will Consider International Search Report in First Office Action
Note:
The examiner must consider the documents cited in the international search report without further action by the applicant when both the report and referenced documents are present in the national stage file.

When all the requirements for a national stage application have been completed, applicant is notified (Form PCT/DO/EO/903) of the acceptance of the application under 35 U.S.C. 371, including an itemized list of the items received. The itemized list includes an indication of whether a copy of the international search report and copies of the references cited therein are present in the national stage file. The examiner will consider the documents cited in the international search report and any supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis, without any further action by applicant under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98, when both the international search report (or supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis) and copies of the documents are indicated to be present in the national stage file. The examiner will note the consideration in the first Office action. There is no requirement that the examiners list the documents on a PTO-892 form. See form paragraphs 6.53, 6.54, and 6.55 (reproduced in MPEP § 609.03). Otherwise, applicant must follow the procedure set forth in 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 in order to ensure that the examiner considers the documents cited in the international search report.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.97First Action on Merits (FAOM)Types of Office ActionsInterviews in National Stage
Topic

PTO-892 Notice of References Cited

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-6255281b37b6f70f514bd44d]
Documents Not Required on PTO-892 Form
Note:
Examiners are not required to list documents on the PTO-892 form when considering international search report citations.

When all the requirements for a national stage application have been completed, applicant is notified (Form PCT/DO/EO/903) of the acceptance of the application under 35 U.S.C. 371, including an itemized list of the items received. The itemized list includes an indication of whether a copy of the international search report and copies of the references cited therein are present in the national stage file. The examiner will consider the documents cited in the international search report and any supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis, without any further action by applicant under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98, when both the international search report (or supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis) and copies of the documents are indicated to be present in the national stage file. The examiner will note the consideration in the first Office action. There is no requirement that the examiners list the documents on a PTO-892 form. See form paragraphs 6.53, 6.54, and 6.55 (reproduced in MPEP § 609.03). Otherwise, applicant must follow the procedure set forth in 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 in order to ensure that the examiner considers the documents cited in the international search report.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.97PTO-892 Notice of References CitedCitation of References (MPEP 707.05)Request Content and Form
Topic

Request Content and Form

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-925862143eb59bd34b158bf6]
Examiner Considers International Search Report Without Further Action
Note:
When the national stage application requirements are met, the examiner will consider the international search report and cited documents without further action from the applicant.

When all the requirements for a national stage application have been completed, applicant is notified (Form PCT/DO/EO/903) of the acceptance of the application under 35 U.S.C. 371, including an itemized list of the items received. The itemized list includes an indication of whether a copy of the international search report and copies of the references cited therein are present in the national stage file. The examiner will consider the documents cited in the international search report and any supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis, without any further action by applicant under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98, when both the international search report (or supplementary international search report under PCT Rule 45bis) and copies of the documents are indicated to be present in the national stage file. The examiner will note the consideration in the first Office action. There is no requirement that the examiners list the documents on a PTO-892 form. See form paragraphs 6.53, 6.54, and 6.55 (reproduced in MPEP § 609.03). Otherwise, applicant must follow the procedure set forth in 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 in order to ensure that the examiner considers the documents cited in the international search report.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.97Request Content and FormPCT Request FormFirst Action on Merits (FAOM)
Topic

International Filing Date

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-1893-03-g-eb2485387151a45040fb260d]
Requirement for Documents Cited in International Search Report
Note:
This rule requires that documents cited in the international search report related to a national stage application filed under 35 U.S.C. 371 must be included, but not those in the preliminary examination report or applications claiming an international filing date under 35 U.S.C. 111(a).

This practice applies only to documents cited in the international search report relative to a national stage application filed under 35 U.S.C. 371. It does not apply to documents cited in an international preliminary examination report that are not cited in the search report. It does not apply to applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) claiming the benefit of an international application filing date.

Jump to MPEP SourceInternational Filing DateNationals and ResidentsReceiving Office (RO/US)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Article 19 Amendment Scope
International Filing Date
35 U.S.C. § 111(a)
Article 19 Amendment Scope35 U.S.C. § 365(a)
Citation of References (MPEP 707.05)
First Action on Merits (FAOM)
International Filing Date
International Searching Authority (ISA)
National Stage Entry Requirements
PTO-892 Notice of References Cited
Request Content and Form
35 U.S.C. § 371
Duty of Disclosure Fundamentals
IDS Fees and Certification
Timing of Duty
37 CFR § 1.497(c)
Duty of Disclosure Fundamentals
IDS Fees and Certification
Timing of Duty
37 CFR § 1.56
Duty of Disclosure Fundamentals
IDS Fees and Certification
Timing of Duty
37 CFR § 1.63(b)(3)
Citation of References (MPEP 707.05)
First Action on Merits (FAOM)
International Searching Authority (ISA)
National Stage Entry Requirements
PTO-892 Notice of References Cited
Request Content and Form
37 CFR § 1.97
Duty of Disclosure Fundamentals
IDS Fees and Certification
Timing of Duty
MPEP § 609
Citation of References (MPEP 707.05)
First Action on Merits (FAOM)
International Searching Authority (ISA)
National Stage Entry Requirements
PTO-892 Notice of References Cited
Request Content and Form
MPEP § 609.03
Citation of References (MPEP 707.05)
First Action on Merits (FAOM)
International Searching Authority (ISA)
National Stage Entry Requirements
PTO-892 Notice of References Cited
Request Content and Form
PCT Rule 45bis

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