MPEP § 602.02 — New Oath or Substitute for Original (Annotated Rules)

§602.02 New Oath or Substitute for Original

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 602.02, 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.

New Oath or Substitute for Original

This section addresses New Oath or Substitute for Original. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.67(a), 37 CFR 1.76, and 37 CFR 1.63(a). Contains: 3 requirements and 1 guidance statement.

Key Rules

Topic

AIA Effective Dates

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-602-02-23d78406c2b348f6e221ec29]
Separate Oaths for Joint Inventors After Sep 16, 2012
Note:
For applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, joint inventors may execute separate oaths or declarations with only their names if an ADS provides the required inventor information.

For applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, joint inventors may execute separate oaths or declarations in which only the person executing the oath or declaration is identified if an ADS is filed that provides the required inventor information. If such an ADS is not filed, then each oath or declaration must name all of the inventors. See 37 CFR 1.63(a) and (b). Each separate oath or declaration by an inventor should be complete in itself.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.63(a)AIA Effective DatesAIA Overview and Effective DatesInventor's Oath/Declaration Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-602-02-ab52ee084c67bbe98b0593b7]
Combined Oaths Provide Inventor Data
Note:
For pre-September 16, 2012 applications, if neither the original nor substitute oath provides complete data but together they name all inventors and provide required information, no further oath is needed.

For applications filed before September 16, 2012, where neither the original oath or declaration, nor the substitute oath or declaration is complete in itself, but each oath or declaration names all of the inventors and the two taken together give all the required data, no further oath or declaration is needed.

Jump to MPEP SourceAIA Effective DatesAIA Overview and Effective DatesAIA vs Pre-AIA Practice
Topic

AIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-602-02-0fb391bec6d266c5f6bff2c8]
All Inventors Must Be Named If ADS Not Filed
Note:
If an Application Data Sheet is not filed, each oath or declaration must name all of the inventors as required by 37 CFR 1.63(a) and (b).

For applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, joint inventors may execute separate oaths or declarations in which only the person executing the oath or declaration is identified if an ADS is filed that provides the required inventor information. If such an ADS is not filed, then each oath or declaration must name all of the inventors. See 37 CFR 1.63(a) and (b). Each separate oath or declaration by an inventor should be complete in itself.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.63(a)AIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)Inventor's Oath/Declaration RequirementsAIA Effective Dates
Topic

Inventor's Oath/Declaration Requirements

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-602-02-7eaeb9610d57c8ca3f37cd4a]
Separate Oaths for Joint Inventors Required
Note:
Each inventor must submit a complete oath or declaration, especially when filing jointly.

For applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, joint inventors may execute separate oaths or declarations in which only the person executing the oath or declaration is identified if an ADS is filed that provides the required inventor information. If such an ADS is not filed, then each oath or declaration must name all of the inventors. See 37 CFR 1.63(a) and (b). Each separate oath or declaration by an inventor should be complete in itself.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.63(a)Inventor's Oath/Declaration RequirementsAIA Effective DatesAIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)

Citations

Primary topicCitation
AIA Effective Dates
AIA Oath/Declaration Requirements (37 CFR 1.63)
Inventor's Oath/Declaration Requirements
37 CFR § 1.63(a)
37 CFR § 1.67(a)
37 CFR § 1.76
MPEP § 601.05

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