MPEP § 214.01 — Time for Filing Priority Claim (Annotated Rules)

§214.01 Time for Filing Priority Claim

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 214.01, 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.

Time for Filing Priority Claim

This section addresses Time for Filing Priority Claim. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 111(a), 35 U.S.C. 119(b)(1), and 35 U.S.C. 371. Contains: 4 requirements, 1 permission, and 2 other statements.

Key Rules

Topic

Foreign Priority Claims

3 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-214-01-6c7ed039bfd3203fe0cde032]
Time Period for Filing Priority Claim
Note:
This rule outlines the time periods for filing a priority claim in an application under 35 U.S.C. 111(a).

37 CFR 1.55(d)(1) sets forth the time periods for filing a priority claim in an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a). See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(2) and MPEP § 213.06 for the time period for claiming priority in an application entering the national stage. The time periods set forth in 37 CFR 1.55(d) do not apply to design applications.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)Foreign Priority ClaimsPriority and Benefit Claims
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-214-01-91ba912557f946ba3defb437]
Priority Claim Time Periods Do Not Apply to Design Apps
Note:
The time periods specified for claiming priority in regular applications do not apply to design applications.

37 CFR 1.55(d)(1) sets forth the time periods for filing a priority claim in an application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a). See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(2) and MPEP § 213.06 for the time period for claiming priority in an application entering the national stage. The time periods set forth in 37 CFR 1.55(d) do not apply to design applications.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)Foreign Priority ClaimsPriority and Benefit Claims
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-214-01-7277f178339b57fd3fa67c53]
Claim for Foreign Priority Must Be Timely Filed
Note:
Claims for foreign priority must be presented within the time period specified in 37 CFR 1.55; otherwise, they are considered waived.

Claims for foreign priority not presented within the time period specified in 37 CFR 1.55 are considered to have been waived. If a claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) – (d) or (f), 365(a) or (b), or 386(a) or (b) is presented after the time period set in 37 CFR 1.55, the claim may be accepted if it includes the required identification information and is accompanied by a grantable petition to accept the unintentionally delayed claim for priority. See MPEP § 214.02 for the treatment of unintentionally delayed priority claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55Foreign Priority ClaimsPriority and Benefit ClaimsPetition for Delayed Priority Claim
Topic

Design Claim Form

3 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-214-01-1db667004581485e1521a63c]
Claim for Priority Must Identify Foreign Application
Note:
The applicant must file a claim for priority and specify the foreign application's number, country, and filing date within the required time period.

For original applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), the requirements of the statute are that the applicant must (a) file a claim for the right of priority and (b) identify the original foreign application by specifying the application number of the foreign application, the intellectual property authority or country in which the application was filed and the date of filing of the application. 35 U.S.C. 119(b)(1) specifies that the claim for priority and the required identification information must be filed at such time during the pendency of the application as set by the Director. For applications other than design applications, the Director has by rule set this time period as the later of four months from the actual filing date of the application or sixteen months from the filing date of the prior foreign application. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1). This time period is not extendable. In an application that entered the national stage from an international application after compliance with 35 U.S.C. 371, the claim for priority must be made during the pendency of the application and within the time limit set forth in the PCT and the Regulations under the PCT. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(2) and MPEP § 213.06. In a design application, a claim for priority may be made at any time during the pendency of the application. See 37 CFR 1.55(g). See also MPEP §§ 1504.10 and 2920.05(d) for additional information pertaining to priority claims in design applications.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)Design Claim FormPCT Claims FormatReceiving Office (RO/US)
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-214-01-1b6fa41ce8e3fcfbce21962b]
Priority Claim Must Be Filed During Pendency as Directed by Director
Note:
The claim for priority and required identification information must be filed within the time period set by the Director during the application's pendency.

For original applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), the requirements of the statute are that the applicant must (a) file a claim for the right of priority and (b) identify the original foreign application by specifying the application number of the foreign application, the intellectual property authority or country in which the application was filed and the date of filing of the application. 35 U.S.C. 119(b)(1) specifies that the claim for priority and the required identification information must be filed at such time during the pendency of the application as set by the Director. For applications other than design applications, the Director has by rule set this time period as the later of four months from the actual filing date of the application or sixteen months from the filing date of the prior foreign application. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1). This time period is not extendable. In an application that entered the national stage from an international application after compliance with 35 U.S.C. 371, the claim for priority must be made during the pendency of the application and within the time limit set forth in the PCT and the Regulations under the PCT. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(2) and MPEP § 213.06. In a design application, a claim for priority may be made at any time during the pendency of the application. See 37 CFR 1.55(g). See also MPEP §§ 1504.10 and 2920.05(d) for additional information pertaining to priority claims in design applications.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)Design Claim FormPCT Claims FormatForeign Priority Claim Requirements
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-214-01-8d99629739aeeb53ac0f505a]
Priority Claim at Any Time During Design Application Pendency
Note:
A claim for priority in a design application can be made at any time during the application's pendency.

For original applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), the requirements of the statute are that the applicant must (a) file a claim for the right of priority and (b) identify the original foreign application by specifying the application number of the foreign application, the intellectual property authority or country in which the application was filed and the date of filing of the application. 35 U.S.C. 119(b)(1) specifies that the claim for priority and the required identification information must be filed at such time during the pendency of the application as set by the Director. For applications other than design applications, the Director has by rule set this time period as the later of four months from the actual filing date of the application or sixteen months from the filing date of the prior foreign application. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1). This time period is not extendable. In an application that entered the national stage from an international application after compliance with 35 U.S.C. 371, the claim for priority must be made during the pendency of the application and within the time limit set forth in the PCT and the Regulations under the PCT. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(2) and MPEP § 213.06. In a design application, a claim for priority may be made at any time during the pendency of the application. See 37 CFR 1.55(g). See also MPEP §§ 1504.10 and 2920.05(d) for additional information pertaining to priority claims in design applications.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)Design Claim FormArticle 19 Amendment ScopePCT Claims Format
Topic

AIA Effective Dates

2 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-214-01-0515363eac41cccf1923fdb4]
Claim for Priority Must Be on Application Data Sheet
Note:
For applications filed after September 16, 2012, the claim for priority must be presented in an application data sheet.

For applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) on or after September 16, 2012, 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1) requires the claim for priority to be presented in an application data sheet. For applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) prior to September 16, 2012, unless provided in an application data sheet, the oath or declaration under 37 CFR 1.63 must identify the foreign application for patent or inventor’s certificate for which priority is claimed under 37 CFR 1.55, and any foreign applications having a filing date before that of the application on which priority is claimed, by specifying the application number, country, day, month, and year of its filing. See 37 CFR 1.55(n).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)AIA Effective DatesForeign Priority Claim RequirementsAIA Overview and Effective Dates
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-214-01-c1ddcbd464189c0eba11f44d]
Oath Must Identify Foreign Priority Applications
Note:
For pre-2012 applications, the oath must identify foreign priority applications and any earlier-filed foreign applications by their details.

For applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) on or after September 16, 2012, 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1) requires the claim for priority to be presented in an application data sheet. For applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) prior to September 16, 2012, unless provided in an application data sheet, the oath or declaration under 37 CFR 1.63 must identify the foreign application for patent or inventor’s certificate for which priority is claimed under 37 CFR 1.55, and any foreign applications having a filing date before that of the application on which priority is claimed, by specifying the application number, country, day, month, and year of its filing. See 37 CFR 1.55(n).

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)AIA Effective DatesAIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)AIA Overview and Effective Dates
Topic

International Filing Date

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-214-01-9e51deff6e0a2523f70fa74f]
Priority Claim Must Be Filed Within Later of Four Months or Sixteen Months
Note:
The applicant must file a claim for priority within the later of four months from the actual filing date or sixteen months from the prior foreign application's filing date.

For original applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), the requirements of the statute are that the applicant must (a) file a claim for the right of priority and (b) identify the original foreign application by specifying the application number of the foreign application, the intellectual property authority or country in which the application was filed and the date of filing of the application. 35 U.S.C. 119(b)(1) specifies that the claim for priority and the required identification information must be filed at such time during the pendency of the application as set by the Director. For applications other than design applications, the Director has by rule set this time period as the later of four months from the actual filing date of the application or sixteen months from the filing date of the prior foreign application. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1). This time period is not extendable. In an application that entered the national stage from an international application after compliance with 35 U.S.C. 371, the claim for priority must be made during the pendency of the application and within the time limit set forth in the PCT and the Regulations under the PCT. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(2) and MPEP § 213.06. In a design application, a claim for priority may be made at any time during the pendency of the application. See 37 CFR 1.55(g). See also MPEP §§ 1504.10 and 2920.05(d) for additional information pertaining to priority claims in design applications.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)International Filing DatePCT International Application FilingForeign Priority Claims
Topic

Three-Month Issue Fee Period

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-214-01-4e91489c6573d63766fd3dd2]
Claim for Priority Must Be Made During Pendency
Note:
The claim for priority must be made during the application's pendency and within the time limit set by the PCT and its Regulations.

For original applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), the requirements of the statute are that the applicant must (a) file a claim for the right of priority and (b) identify the original foreign application by specifying the application number of the foreign application, the intellectual property authority or country in which the application was filed and the date of filing of the application. 35 U.S.C. 119(b)(1) specifies that the claim for priority and the required identification information must be filed at such time during the pendency of the application as set by the Director. For applications other than design applications, the Director has by rule set this time period as the later of four months from the actual filing date of the application or sixteen months from the filing date of the prior foreign application. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1). This time period is not extendable. In an application that entered the national stage from an international application after compliance with 35 U.S.C. 371, the claim for priority must be made during the pendency of the application and within the time limit set forth in the PCT and the Regulations under the PCT. See 37 CFR 1.55(d)(2) and MPEP § 213.06. In a design application, a claim for priority may be made at any time during the pendency of the application. See 37 CFR 1.55(g). See also MPEP §§ 1504.10 and 2920.05(d) for additional information pertaining to priority claims in design applications.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55(d)(1)Three-Month Issue Fee PeriodDesign Claim FormArticle 19 Amendment Timing
Topic

Petition for Delayed Priority Claim

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-214-01-045428df0e64cc3df872dda7]
Petition for Unintentionally Delayed Priority Claim
Note:
A claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. sections can be accepted after the deadline if accompanied by a grantable petition and required identification information.

Claims for foreign priority not presented within the time period specified in 37 CFR 1.55 are considered to have been waived. If a claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) – (d) or (f), 365(a) or (b), or 386(a) or (b) is presented after the time period set in 37 CFR 1.55, the claim may be accepted if it includes the required identification information and is accompanied by a grantable petition to accept the unintentionally delayed claim for priority. See MPEP § 214.02 for the treatment of unintentionally delayed priority claims.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.55Petition for Delayed Priority ClaimUnintentional Delay StandardForeign Priority Claim Requirements

Citations

Primary topicCitation
AIA Effective Dates
Design Claim Form
Foreign Priority Claims
International Filing Date
Three-Month Issue Fee Period
35 U.S.C. § 111(a)
Foreign Priority Claims
Petition for Delayed Priority Claim
35 U.S.C. § 119(a)
Design Claim Form
International Filing Date
Three-Month Issue Fee Period
35 U.S.C. § 119(b)(1)
Design Claim Form
International Filing Date
Three-Month Issue Fee Period
35 U.S.C. § 371
AIA Effective Dates
Foreign Priority Claims
Petition for Delayed Priority Claim
37 CFR § 1.55
Foreign Priority Claims37 CFR § 1.55(d)
AIA Effective Dates
Design Claim Form
Foreign Priority Claims
International Filing Date
Three-Month Issue Fee Period
37 CFR § 1.55(d)(1)
Design Claim Form
Foreign Priority Claims
International Filing Date
Three-Month Issue Fee Period
37 CFR § 1.55(d)(2)
Design Claim Form
International Filing Date
Three-Month Issue Fee Period
37 CFR § 1.55(g)
AIA Effective Dates37 CFR § 1.55(n)
AIA Effective Dates37 CFR § 1.63
Design Claim Form
International Filing Date
Three-Month Issue Fee Period
MPEP § 1504.10
Design Claim Form
Foreign Priority Claims
International Filing Date
Three-Month Issue Fee Period
MPEP § 213.06
Foreign Priority Claims
Petition for Delayed Priority Claim
MPEP § 214.02

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