MPEP § 714.10 — Claims Added in Excess of Claims Previously Paid For (Annotated Rules)

§714.10 Claims Added in Excess of Claims Previously Paid For

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

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 714.10, 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.

Claims Added in Excess of Claims Previously Paid For

This section addresses Claims Added in Excess of Claims Previously Paid For. Primary authority: 37 CFR 1.75(c)) and 37 CFR 1.75(c). Contains: 3 requirements.

Key Rules

Topic

Fee Requirements

3 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-714-10-9d5de87171dbe015b95aa5c0]
Excess Claims Fees for Additional Independent and Dependent Claims
Note:
Applicant must pay additional fees for each new independent claim beyond the initial three and any dependent claims exceeding twenty in an application.

Applicant is required to pay excess claims fees for each claim that is in excess of 3 in independent form or in excess of 20 (whether dependent or independent). Fees for a proper multiple dependent claim are calculated based on the number of claims to which the multiple dependent claim refers (37 CFR 1.75(c)) and a separate fee is also required in each application containing a proper multiple dependent claim. See MPEP § 607. When applicant adds a new excess claim that is in excess of the number of claims that were previously paid for after taking into account claims that have been canceled, applicant must pay the required excess claims fees before the examiner considers the new claim. For example, in an application that contains 6 independent claims and 30 total claims for which the excess claims fees were previously paid, when applicant cancels 10 claims, 2 of which are independent, and adds 11 claims, 3 of which are independent, excess claims fees for a 7 th independent claim and a 31 st claim are required.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.75(c))Fee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-714-10-a9ed3efc7769283ae96a7fb6]
Fees for Proper Multiple Dependent Claims Required in Each Application
Note:
A separate fee is required for each application containing a proper multiple dependent claim, based on the number of claims it refers to.

Applicant is required to pay excess claims fees for each claim that is in excess of 3 in independent form or in excess of 20 (whether dependent or independent). Fees for a proper multiple dependent claim are calculated based on the number of claims to which the multiple dependent claim refers (37 CFR 1.75(c)) and a separate fee is also required in each application containing a proper multiple dependent claim. See MPEP § 607. When applicant adds a new excess claim that is in excess of the number of claims that were previously paid for after taking into account claims that have been canceled, applicant must pay the required excess claims fees before the examiner considers the new claim. For example, in an application that contains 6 independent claims and 30 total claims for which the excess claims fees were previously paid, when applicant cancels 10 claims, 2 of which are independent, and adds 11 claims, 3 of which are independent, excess claims fees for a 7 th independent claim and a 31 st claim are required.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.75(c))Fee Requirements
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-714-10-e31aa07745d99940ad93f3f4]
Excess Claims Fees for New Claims After Cancellations
Note:
Applicant must pay excess claims fees for new claims added after canceling existing ones, ensuring the total exceeds previously paid limits.

Applicant is required to pay excess claims fees for each claim that is in excess of 3 in independent form or in excess of 20 (whether dependent or independent). Fees for a proper multiple dependent claim are calculated based on the number of claims to which the multiple dependent claim refers (37 CFR 1.75(c)) and a separate fee is also required in each application containing a proper multiple dependent claim. See MPEP § 607. When applicant adds a new excess claim that is in excess of the number of claims that were previously paid for after taking into account claims that have been canceled, applicant must pay the required excess claims fees before the examiner considers the new claim. For example, in an application that contains 6 independent claims and 30 total claims for which the excess claims fees were previously paid, when applicant cancels 10 claims, 2 of which are independent, and adds 11 claims, 3 of which are independent, excess claims fees for a 7 th independent claim and a 31 st claim are required.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.75(c))Fee Requirements
Topic

Maintenance Fee Payment

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-714-10-7f24171236a806255d51245d]
Withdrawn Claims Count for Fees After Amendment
Note:
Claims withdrawn after a restriction requirement will be included in fee calculations for subsequent amendments unless canceled.

Nonelected claims that are withdrawn from consideration after a requirement for restriction will be included in determining the fees due in connection with a subsequent amendment, unless the nonelected claims are canceled. See MPEP § 607, subsection III.

Jump to MPEP SourceMaintenance Fee Payment

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Fee Requirements37 CFR § 1.75(c)
Fee Requirements
Maintenance Fee Payment
MPEP § 607

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