MPEP § 707.08 — Reviewing and Initialing by Assistant Examiner (Annotated Rules)

§707.08 Reviewing and Initialing by Assistant Examiner

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 707.08, 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.

Reviewing and Initialing by Assistant Examiner

This section addresses Reviewing and Initialing by Assistant Examiner. Contains: 4 guidance statements and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

Examiner's Action (37 CFR 1.104)

2 rules
MPEP GuidanceInformativeAlways
[mpep-707-08-23e5a0735bc29dc1f6652cd3]
Examiner’s Full Surname Must Be Typed at End of Office Action
Note:
The full surname of the examiner who prepares the office action must be included at the end, along with contact information for further discussion or interviews.

The full surname of the examiner who prepares the Office action will, in all cases, be typed at the end of the action. The name and telephone number of the examiner who should be called if the application is to be discussed or an interview arranged will also be provided in the Office action. Form paragraph 7.100, 7.101 or 7.102 should be used.

Jump to MPEP SourceExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)Examination ProceduresForm Paragraph Usage
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-08-76418c13602668d7da9f890a]
Examiner's Name and Phone for Interviews Provided in Office Action
Note:
The Office action must include the examiner’s full name and phone number to facilitate discussions or interviews.

The full surname of the examiner who prepares the Office action will, in all cases, be typed at the end of the action. The name and telephone number of the examiner who should be called if the application is to be discussed or an interview arranged will also be provided in the Office action. Form paragraph 7.100, 7.101 or 7.102 should be used.

Jump to MPEP SourceExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)Examination ProceduresForm Paragraph Usage
Topic

Signature Requirements

2 rules
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-08-eeed94afa7ba8171bba9c6c6]
Signature Requirement for Examiner Actions
Note:
The examiner who prepared the action must include their surname or initials and date at the end of the action. If they lack signing authority, they should initial and forward to an authorized signatory.

The surname or initials of the examiner who prepared the action and the date on which the action was prepared should appear at the end of the action. If this examiner does not have the authority to sign the action, they should initial as appropriate, and forward the action to the authorized signatory examiner for signing.

Jump to MPEP SourceSignature Requirements
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-08-6eee0843616b60b2ebc52712]
Initial Action When Authority Missing
Note:
An examiner without signing authority should initial the action and forward it to an authorized examiner for signature.

The surname or initials of the examiner who prepared the action and the date on which the action was prepared should appear at the end of the action. If this examiner does not have the authority to sign the action, they should initial as appropriate, and forward the action to the authorized signatory examiner for signing.

Jump to MPEP SourceSignature Requirements
Topic

Form Paragraph Usage

1 rules
MPEP GuidanceRecommendedAlways
[mpep-707-08-04c2b6aefda578ca309b7ff7]
Examiner Must Use Form Paragraphs
Note:
The examiner is required to use form paragraphs 7.100, 7.101, or 7.102 in the Office action.

The full surname of the examiner who prepares the Office action will, in all cases, be typed at the end of the action. The name and telephone number of the examiner who should be called if the application is to be discussed or an interview arranged will also be provided in the Office action. Form paragraph 7.100, 7.101 or 7.102 should be used.

Jump to MPEP SourceForm Paragraph UsageForm ParagraphsExaminer's Action (37 CFR 1.104)

Examiner Form Paragraphs

Examiner form paragraphs are standard language that you might see in an Office Action or communication from the USPTO. Examiners have latitude to change the form paragraphs, but you will often see this exact language.

¶ 7.100 ¶ 7.100 Name And Number of Examiner To Be Contacted

Any inquiry concerning this communication should be directed to [1] at telephone number [2] .

Examiner interviews are available via a variety of formats. See MPEP § 713.01 . To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/InterviewPractice .

¶ 7.101 ¶ 7.101 Telephone Inquiry Contacts- Non 5/4/9 Schedule

Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to [1] whose telephone number is [2] . The examiner can normally be reached on [3] from [4] to [5] .

If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, [6] , can be reached at telephone number [7] . The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.

Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from Patent Center. Status information for published applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Patent Center to authorized users only. Should you have questions about access to the USPTO patent electronic filing system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).

Examiner interviews are available via a variety of formats see MPEP § 713.01 . To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/InterviewPractice .

¶ 7.102 ¶ 7.102 Telephone Inquiry Contacts- 5/4/9 Schedule

Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to [1] whose telephone number is [2] . The examiner can normally be reached on [3] from [4] to [5] . The examiner can also be reached on alternate [6] .

If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, [7] , can be reached at telephone number [8] . The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.

Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from Patent Center. Status information for published applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Patent Center to authorized users only. Should you have questions about access to the USPTO patent electronic filing system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).

Examiner interviews are available via a variety of formats. See MPEP § 713.01 . To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/InterviewPractice .

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Examiner's Action (37 CFR 1.104)
Form Paragraph Usage
Form Paragraph § 7.100
Form Paragraph § 7.101
Form Paragraph § 7.102

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