37 CFR § 1.833 — Requirements for a “Sequence Listing (MPEP Coverage Index) – BlueIron IP

This page consolidates MPEP guidance interpreting 37 CFR § 1.833, including 132 rules from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Summary

The entire ‘Sequence Listing XML’ must be presented as a single file encoded using Unicode UTF-8, with an XML declaration in the first line and a DOCTYPE declaration on the second.

What this section covers

The entire ‘Sequence Listing XML’ must be presented as a single file.
The file must be encoded using Unicode UTF-8 as per WIPO Standard ST.26.

Key obligations

Include an XML declaration in the first line.
Mandate a DOCTYPE declaration on the second line of the XML instance.
Ensure that a root element is present to encapsulate all sequence data.

Practice notes

Ensure the XML declaration includes the correct version of XML.
Do not omit the DOCTYPE declaration as it is crucial for validation purposes.

Content of Sequence Listing XML RequiredMPEP 2413
XML File Format for Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413
Sequence Listing XML Must Be Single File UTF-8MPEP 2413.01(a)Required
Character Entity References for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(a)Permitted
Sequence Listing XML Must Be Valid According to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Conform to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)Required
Requirement for Sequence Listing XML Conforming to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)
XML Declaration Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(c)Required
XML Declaration Must Be First Line of Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(c)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Include DOCTYPE DeclarationMPEP 2413.01(d)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Contain DOCTYPE Declaration on Second LineMPEP 2413.01(d)Required
Root Element Required for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(e)Required
General Information Part Must Comply With WIPO ST.26MPEP 2413.01(f)Required
General Information Part of Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Applicant Name and Optional Inventor Name Must Be Indicated in Specific ElementsMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Language Code Must Be Indicated for Each Element in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Transliteration of Applicant Name Required for Non-Latin CharactersMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Inventor Name Must Be Indicated in Latin Alphabet If Non-Latin Characters Are UsedMPEP 2413.01(f)Permitted
Sequence Listing XML Must Include Sequence Data PartMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Sequence Data PartMPEP 2413.01(g)
Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Sequence Data ElementsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
SequenceData Element Must Contain SequenceIDNumberMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
SequenceData Must Contain INSDSeqMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
INSDSeq_length Must Disclose Sequence LengthMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Molecule Type Must Be Disclosed in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Disclose DNA or RNAMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Molecule Type for Amino Acid Sequences Must Be Indicated as AAMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
DNA Required for Combined DNA/RNA MoleculesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Requirement for Describing Combined DNA/RNA Molecules in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
DNA and RNA Segments Must Be DescribedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
INSDSeq_sequence Must Disclose Nucleotide/Amino Acid SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Nucleotide and Amino Acid Symbols RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Symbols for Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
Feature Keys for Sequence Listings RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Requirement for Exclusive Sequence Feature KeysMPEP 2413.01(g)
Source Feature Key Required for SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)
Single Source Feature Key Required for SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Requirement for Describing Multiple Sources in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Sequence Location Descriptors Must Be DefinedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Single Location Descriptor Required for Amino AcidsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Multiple Location Descriptors for Nucleotide SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Location Descriptor Can Be Single Residue, Span, Or Extended SiteMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Location Descriptor Must Not Include Residue Numbers Beyond Sequence RangeMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
Site Between Adjacent Residue Numbers Allowed for Nucleotide SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Multiple Location Descriptors Required for Discontinuous Nucleotide FeaturesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
INSDFeature_location Must Contain Location OperatorsMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Location Operator for Nucleotide Sequences Must Specify Feature LocationMPEP 2413.01(g)
Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Location Operators for Nucleotide FeaturesMPEP 2413.01(g)
Location Operators for Nucleotides OnlyMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
At Least Two Location Descriptors Required for Join/Order OperatorsMPEP 2413.01(g)
Join and Order Location Descriptors Prohibited for x^y SitesMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
Join Location Describes Physically Contacted ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)
Characters < and > Must Be Replaced In Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Qualifiers Must Provide Additional Feature InformationMPEP 2413.01(g)
Qualifier Values Must Be Separately IncludedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Naturally Occurring Sequence Requires Latin Genus and SpeciesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Note Qualifier for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
Organism Qualifier Must Indicate Genus Sp for Naturally Occurring Sequences with Known GenusMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Unidentified Organism Qualifier for Naturally Occurring Sequences Must Be IndicatedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Taxonomic Information Must Be Included in Sequence NotesMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended
Organism Name Required for Naturally Occurring VirusesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Non-Naturally Occurring Sequence Must Be Labeled as Synthetic ConstructMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Note Required for Sequence Generation MethodMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Mol_Type Qualifier for Sequence Types Must Be DisclosedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Mol_Type for Amino Acids Must Be ProteinMPEP 2413.01(g)
Free Text as Qualifier Value FormatMPEP 2413.01(g)
Free Text Limitation for Sequence CharacteristicsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Free Text Must Not Exceed 1000 Characters for Qualifiers Other Than TranslationMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
Qualifiers with Language-Dependent Free Text Values for Sequences Must Be TranslatedMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Qualifiers for Nucleotide Sequences with Language-Dependent Free Text Values RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)
Qualifiers for Amino Acid Sequences with Language-Dependent TextMPEP 2413.01(g)
CDS Feature Key Identifies Coding SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
CDS Feature Must Include Stop CodonMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Qualifiers for CDS Feature Key in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Standard Code Table Assumed Without Transl_Table QualifierMPEP 2413.01(g)
CDS Feature Key Requires Transl_except for Pyrrolysine and SelenocysteineMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Amino Acid Sequence Must Be Included in ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Protein ID Must Be Provided for Amino Acid SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Organism Must Match for Amino Acid Sequence and Coding SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Representation and Inclusion of Variants in Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(g)
Primary Sequence and Variants Must Be ListedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Variant Sequences Must Be Included in ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended
Variant Sequence Must Be Separately Identified If Over 1000 ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Proper Use of Feature Keys and Qualifiers for Sequence VariantsMPEP 2413.01(g)
Symbols for Variant Residues Must Be UsedMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended
Note Qualifier for Modified Residues Must Use Full NameMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Modified Residues Must Be Described in Feature TableMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Insertion Must Be ListedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Include Language Dependent Qualifiers in EnglishMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Language-Dependent Free Text Qualifiers Require TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted
Free Text Limited for Sequence CharacteristicsMPEP 2413.01(h)
Free Text Must Not Exceed 1000 Characters for Qualifiers Other Than TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Prohibited
Language Dependent Free Text for Sequence Listing Qualifiers RequiredMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted
Language Dependent Free Text Qualifiers for Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(h)
Sequence Listing XML Must Use English for Language-Dependent Free TextMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Language Dependent Free Text Qualifier Values RequiredMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Organism Names Require No TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Technical Terms Considered English for INSDQualifier_valueMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Non-English Qualifiers Must Use Correct Language CodeMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
NonEnglishQualifier Value Language RequirementMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Non-English Qualifiers Must Have Language CodesMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted
NonEnglish and INSD Qualifier Values Must Be EquivalentMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Translation Requirement for Sequence Listing QualifiersMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Optional ID for Language Dependent Qualifiers in Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted
INSDQualifier ID Must Be UniqueMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Translation of Sequence Listing XML is Not an Amended Sequence ListingMPEP 2414.04Required
Translation of Sequence Listing XML RequiredMPEP 2414.04Required
Updated Values Not Considered Amendments for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2414.04

Sequence Listing XML Must Be Single File UTF-8MPEP 2413.01(a)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Be Single File Encoded UTF-8MPEP 2413.01(a)Required
Sequence Listing XML Character RestrictionsMPEP 2413.01(a)Required
Reserved Characters Must Be Replaced In Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(a)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Be Valid According to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Conform to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)Required
XML Declaration Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(c)Required
XML Declaration Must Be First Line of Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(c)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Include DOCTYPE DeclarationMPEP 2413.01(d)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Contain DOCTYPE Declaration on Second LineMPEP 2413.01(d)Required
Root Element Required for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(e)Required
General Information Part Must Comply With WIPO ST.26MPEP 2413.01(f)Required
General Information Part of Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Applicant Name and Optional Inventor Name Must Be Indicated in Specific ElementsMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Language Code Must Be Indicated for Each Element in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Transliteration of Applicant Name Required for Non-Latin CharactersMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Invention Title Must Be Indicated In Multiple Languages If NeededMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Language Code Must Be Indicated for InventionTitle in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Include Sequence Data PartMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Sequence Data ElementsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
SequenceData Element Must Contain SequenceIDNumberMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
SequenceData Must Contain INSDSeqMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
INSDSeq_length Must Disclose Sequence LengthMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Molecule Type Must Be Disclosed in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Disclose DNA or RNAMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Molecule Type for Amino Acid Sequences Must Be Indicated as AAMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
DNA Required for Combined DNA/RNA MoleculesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Requirement for Describing Combined DNA/RNA Molecules in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
DNA and RNA Segments Must Be DescribedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
INSDSeq_sequence Must Disclose Nucleotide/Amino Acid SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Nucleotide and Amino Acid Symbols RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Feature Keys for Sequence Listings RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Single Source Feature Key Required for SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Location Descriptors Must Be DefinedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Single Location Descriptor Required for Amino AcidsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Multiple Location Descriptors Required for Discontinuous Nucleotide FeaturesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Characters < and > Must Be Replaced In Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Qualifier Values Must Be Separately IncludedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Organism Qualifier Must Disclose Sequence SourceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Naturally Occurring Sequence Requires Latin Genus and SpeciesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Organism Qualifier Must Indicate Genus Sp for Naturally Occurring Sequences with Known GenusMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Unidentified Organism Qualifier for Naturally Occurring Sequences Must Be IndicatedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Organism Name Required for Naturally Occurring VirusesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Non-Naturally Occurring Sequence Must Be Labeled as Synthetic ConstructMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Mol_Type Qualifier for Sequence Types Must Be DisclosedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Free Text Limitation for Sequence CharacteristicsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
CDS Feature Must Include Stop CodonMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
CDS Feature Key Requires Transl_except for Pyrrolysine and SelenocysteineMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Amino Acid Sequence Must Be Included in ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Protein ID Must Be Provided for Amino Acid SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Organism Must Match for Amino Acid Sequence and Coding SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Primary Sequence and Variants Must Be ListedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Variant Sequence Must Be Represented by Most Restrictive Ambiguity SymbolMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Variant Sequence Must Be Separately Identified If Over 1000 ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Annotation of Sequence Variants Must Include Key and QualifierMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Replace Qualifier Must Contain Single Nucleotide or SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Listing of Alternative Amino Acids Required When 'X' is UsedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Deletions Must Be Indicated By Empty Qualifier Or NoteMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Requirement for Inserted or Substituted Residues in Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Note Qualifier for Modified Residues Must Use Full NameMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Modified Residues Must Be Described in Feature TableMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Insertion Must Be ListedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Include Language Dependent Qualifiers in EnglishMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Sequence Listing XML Must Use English for Language-Dependent Free TextMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Language Dependent Free Text Qualifier Values RequiredMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Organism Names Require No TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Technical Terms Considered English for INSDQualifier_valueMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Non-English Qualifiers Must Use Correct Language CodeMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
NonEnglishQualifier Value Language RequirementMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
NonEnglish and INSD Qualifier Values Must Be EquivalentMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Translation Requirement for Sequence Listing QualifiersMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
INSDQualifier ID Must Be UniqueMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
Translation of Sequence Listing XML is Not an Amended Sequence ListingMPEP 2414.04Required
Translation of Sequence Listing XML RequiredMPEP 2414.04Required

XML for Sequence Data Part RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)
Feature Table Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)
Feature Table Required for Sequences Except Skipped OnesMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
Feature Table Must Be Contained In INSDSeq_feature-table ElementMPEP 2413.01(g)
Feature Table Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)
Complement Operator Can Be Used With Join or Order Within Same LocationMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Join and Order Combinations Prohibited Within Same LocationMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
Location Operator Combinations RestrictedMPEP 2413.01(g)
Organism Designations Must Be From Taxonomy DatabaseMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended
Note Qualifier for Alternative ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
Qualifier Value Must Be Within 1000 CharactersMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
Free Text Is a Value Format for Descriptive QualifiersMPEP 2413.01(h)

- Note Qualifier for Alternative ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
- - Transliteration of Applicant Name Required for Non-Latin CharactersMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
  - Inventor Name Must Be Indicated in Latin Alphabet If Non-Latin Characters Are UsedMPEP 2413.01(f)Permitted
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Sequence Data PartMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - SequenceData Element Must Contain SequenceIDNumberMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - XML for Sequence Data Part RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Disclose DNA or RNAMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Molecule Type for Amino Acid Sequences Must Be Indicated as AAMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - DNA Required for Combined DNA/RNA MoleculesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Requirement for Describing Combined DNA/RNA Molecules in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - DNA and RNA Segments Must Be DescribedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Feature Table Must Be Contained In INSDSeq_feature-table ElementMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Requirement for Exclusive Sequence Feature KeysMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Source Feature Key Required for SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Requirement for Describing Multiple Sources in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Single Location Descriptor Required for Amino AcidsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Multiple Location Descriptors for Nucleotide SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Location Descriptor Can Be Single Residue, Span, Or Extended SiteMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Site Between Adjacent Residue Numbers Allowed for Nucleotide SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Multiple Location Descriptors Required for Discontinuous Nucleotide FeaturesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - INSDFeature_location Must Contain Location OperatorsMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Location Operators for Nucleotide FeaturesMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Location Operators for Nucleotides OnlyMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Join and Order Location Descriptors Prohibited for x^y SitesMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
  - Join Location Describes Physically Contacted ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Join and Order Combinations Prohibited Within Same LocationMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
  - Qualifier Values Must Be Separately IncludedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Organism Qualifier Must Disclose Sequence SourceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Note Qualifier for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
  - Taxonomic Information Must Be Included in Sequence NotesMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended
  - Note Required for Sequence Generation MethodMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Mol_Type Qualifier for Sequence Types Must Be DisclosedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Mol_Type for Amino Acids Must Be ProteinMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Free Text Must Not Exceed 1000 Characters for Qualifiers Other Than TranslationMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
  - Qualifiers for Nucleotide Sequences with Language-Dependent Free Text Values RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Qualifiers for Amino Acid Sequences with Language-Dependent TextMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - CDS Feature Must Include Stop CodonMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Amino Acid Sequence Must Be Included in ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Protein ID Must Be Provided for Amino Acid SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Organism Must Match for Amino Acid Sequence and Coding SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Representation and Inclusion of Variants in Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Primary Sequence and Variants Must Be ListedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Variant Sequence Must Be Represented by Most Restrictive Ambiguity SymbolMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Variant Sequence Must Be Separately Identified If Over 1000 ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Proper Use of Feature Keys and Qualifiers for Sequence VariantsMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Replace Qualifier Must Contain Single Nucleotide or SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Deletions Must Be Indicated By Empty Qualifier Or NoteMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Requirement for Inserted or Substituted Residues in Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Note Qualifier for Modified Residues Must Use Full NameMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Modified Residues Must Be Described in Feature TableMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Sequence Insertion Must Be ListedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Free Text Must Not Exceed 1000 Characters for Qualifiers Other Than TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Prohibited
  - Language Dependent Free Text Qualifiers for Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(h)
  - Language Dependent Free Text Qualifier Values RequiredMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - Organism Names Require No TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - Technical Terms Considered English for INSDQualifier_valueMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - NonEnglish and INSD Qualifier Values Must Be EquivalentMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - Translation Requirement for Sequence Listing QualifiersMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - Optional ID for Language Dependent Qualifiers in Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted
- - Content of Sequence Listing XML RequiredMPEP 2413
  - XML File Format for Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Be Single File UTF-8MPEP 2413.01(a)Required
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Be Single File Encoded UTF-8MPEP 2413.01(a)Required
  - Sequence Listing XML Character RestrictionsMPEP 2413.01(a)Required
  - Reserved Characters Must Be Replaced In Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(a)Required
  - Character Entity References for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(a)Permitted
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Be Valid According to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)Required
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Conform to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)Required
  - Requirement for Sequence Listing XML Conforming to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)
  - XML Declaration Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(c)Required
  - XML Declaration Must Be First Line of Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(c)Required
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Include DOCTYPE DeclarationMPEP 2413.01(d)Required
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Contain DOCTYPE Declaration on Second LineMPEP 2413.01(d)Required
  - Root Element Required for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(e)Required
  - General Information Part Must Comply With WIPO ST.26MPEP 2413.01(f)Required
  - General Information Part of Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
  - Applicant Name and Optional Inventor Name Must Be Indicated in Specific ElementsMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
  - Language Code Must Be Indicated for Each Element in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
  - Invention Title Must Be Indicated In Multiple Languages If NeededMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
  - Language Code Must Be Indicated for InventionTitle in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Include Sequence Data PartMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Sequence Data ElementsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - SequenceData Must Contain INSDSeqMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - INSDSeq_length Must Disclose Sequence LengthMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Molecule Type Must Be Disclosed in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - INSDSeq_sequence Must Disclose Nucleotide/Amino Acid SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Nucleotide and Amino Acid Symbols RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Symbols for Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
  - Feature Table Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Feature Table Required for Sequences Except Skipped OnesMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
  - Feature Table Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Feature Keys for Sequence Listings RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Single Source Feature Key Required for SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Sequence Location Descriptors Must Be DefinedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Location Descriptor Must Not Include Residue Numbers Beyond Sequence RangeMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
  - Location Operator for Nucleotide Sequences Must Specify Feature LocationMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - At Least Two Location Descriptors Required for Join/Order OperatorsMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Complement Operator Can Be Used With Join or Order Within Same LocationMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Location Operator Combinations RestrictedMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Characters < and > Must Be Replaced In Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Qualifiers Must Provide Additional Feature InformationMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Organism Designations Must Be From Taxonomy DatabaseMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended
  - Naturally Occurring Sequence Requires Latin Genus and SpeciesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Organism Qualifier Must Indicate Genus Sp for Naturally Occurring Sequences with Known GenusMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Unidentified Organism Qualifier for Naturally Occurring Sequences Must Be IndicatedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Organism Name Required for Naturally Occurring VirusesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Non-Naturally Occurring Sequence Must Be Labeled as Synthetic ConstructMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Free Text as Qualifier Value FormatMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - Free Text Limitation for Sequence CharacteristicsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Qualifiers with Language-Dependent Free Text Values for Sequences Must Be TranslatedMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - CDS Feature Key Identifies Coding SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Qualifiers for CDS Feature Key in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted
  - Standard Code Table Assumed Without Transl_Table QualifierMPEP 2413.01(g)
  - CDS Feature Key Requires Transl_except for Pyrrolysine and SelenocysteineMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Variant Sequences Must Be Included in ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended
  - Annotation of Sequence Variants Must Include Key and QualifierMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Listing of Alternative Amino Acids Required When 'X' is UsedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
  - Qualifier Value Must Be Within 1000 CharactersMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited
  - Symbols for Variant Residues Must Be UsedMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Include Language Dependent Qualifiers in EnglishMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - Language-Dependent Free Text Qualifiers Require TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted
  - Free Text Is a Value Format for Descriptive QualifiersMPEP 2413.01(h)
  - Free Text Limited for Sequence CharacteristicsMPEP 2413.01(h)
  - Language Dependent Free Text for Sequence Listing Qualifiers RequiredMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted
  - Sequence Listing XML Must Use English for Language-Dependent Free TextMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - Non-English Qualifiers Must Use Correct Language CodeMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - NonEnglishQualifier Value Language RequirementMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - Non-English Qualifiers Must Have Language CodesMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted
  - INSDQualifier ID Must Be UniqueMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
  - Translation of Sequence Listing XML is Not an Amended Sequence ListingMPEP 2414.04Required
  - Translation of Sequence Listing XML RequiredMPEP 2414.04Required
  - Updated Values Not Considered Amendments for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2414.04

MPEP Section	Rules
MPEP § 2413	Content of Sequence Listing XML RequiredMPEP 2413 XML File Format for Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413
MPEP § 2413.01(a)	Sequence Listing XML Must Be Single File UTF-8MPEP 2413.01(a)Required Sequence Listing XML Must Be Single File Encoded UTF-8MPEP 2413.01(a)Required Sequence Listing XML Character RestrictionsMPEP 2413.01(a)Required Reserved Characters Must Be Replaced In Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(a)Required Character Entity References for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(a)Permitted
MPEP § 2413.01(b)	Sequence Listing XML Must Be Valid According to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)Required Sequence Listing XML Must Conform to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)Required Requirement for Sequence Listing XML Conforming to DTDMPEP 2413.01(b)
MPEP § 2413.01(c)	XML Declaration Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(c)Required XML Declaration Must Be First Line of Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(c)Required
MPEP § 2413.01(d)	Sequence Listing XML Must Include DOCTYPE DeclarationMPEP 2413.01(d)Required Sequence Listing XML Must Contain DOCTYPE Declaration on Second LineMPEP 2413.01(d)Required
MPEP § 2413.01(e)	Root Element Required for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(e)Required
MPEP § 2413.01(f)	General Information Part Must Comply With WIPO ST.26MPEP 2413.01(f)Required General Information Part of Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413.01(f)Required Applicant Name and Optional Inventor Name Must Be Indicated in Specific ElementsMPEP 2413.01(f)Required Language Code Must Be Indicated for Each Element in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(f)Required Transliteration of Applicant Name Required for Non-Latin CharactersMPEP 2413.01(f)Required Inventor Name Must Be Indicated in Latin Alphabet If Non-Latin Characters Are UsedMPEP 2413.01(f)Permitted Invention Title Must Be Indicated In Multiple Languages If NeededMPEP 2413.01(f)Required Language Code Must Be Indicated for InventionTitle in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(f)Required
MPEP § 2413.01(g)	Sequence Listing XML Must Include Sequence Data PartMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Sequence Data PartMPEP 2413.01(g) Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Sequence Data ElementsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required SequenceData Element Must Contain SequenceIDNumberMPEP 2413.01(g)Required SequenceData Must Contain INSDSeqMPEP 2413.01(g)Required XML for Sequence Data Part RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g) INSDSeq_length Must Disclose Sequence LengthMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Molecule Type Must Be Disclosed in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Sequence Listing XML Must Disclose DNA or RNAMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Molecule Type for Amino Acid Sequences Must Be Indicated as AAMPEP 2413.01(g)Required DNA Required for Combined DNA/RNA MoleculesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Requirement for Describing Combined DNA/RNA Molecules in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required DNA and RNA Segments Must Be DescribedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required INSDSeq_sequence Must Disclose Nucleotide/Amino Acid SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Nucleotide and Amino Acid Symbols RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Symbols for Sequence Listing RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited Feature Table Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g) Feature Table Required for Sequences Except Skipped OnesMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited Feature Table Must Be Contained In INSDSeq_feature-table ElementMPEP 2413.01(g) Feature Table Required for Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g) Feature Keys for Sequence Listings RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Requirement for Exclusive Sequence Feature KeysMPEP 2413.01(g) Source Feature Key Required for SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g) Single Source Feature Key Required for SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Requirement for Describing Multiple Sources in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Sequence Location Descriptors Must Be DefinedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Single Location Descriptor Required for Amino AcidsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Multiple Location Descriptors for Nucleotide SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Location Descriptor Can Be Single Residue, Span, Or Extended SiteMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Location Descriptor Must Not Include Residue Numbers Beyond Sequence RangeMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited Site Between Adjacent Residue Numbers Allowed for Nucleotide SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Multiple Location Descriptors Required for Discontinuous Nucleotide FeaturesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required INSDFeature_location Must Contain Location OperatorsMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Location Operator for Nucleotide Sequences Must Specify Feature LocationMPEP 2413.01(g) Sequence Listing XML Must Contain Location Operators for Nucleotide FeaturesMPEP 2413.01(g) Location Operators for Nucleotides OnlyMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted At Least Two Location Descriptors Required for Join/Order OperatorsMPEP 2413.01(g) Join and Order Location Descriptors Prohibited for x^y SitesMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited Join Location Describes Physically Contacted ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g) Complement Operator Can Be Used With Join or Order Within Same LocationMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Join and Order Combinations Prohibited Within Same LocationMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited Location Operator Combinations RestrictedMPEP 2413.01(g) Characters < and > Must Be Replaced In Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Qualifiers Must Provide Additional Feature InformationMPEP 2413.01(g) Qualifier Values Must Be Separately IncludedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Organism Qualifier Must Disclose Sequence SourceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Organism Designations Must Be From Taxonomy DatabaseMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended Naturally Occurring Sequence Requires Latin Genus and SpeciesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Note Qualifier for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited Organism Qualifier Must Indicate Genus Sp for Naturally Occurring Sequences with Known GenusMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Unidentified Organism Qualifier for Naturally Occurring Sequences Must Be IndicatedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Taxonomic Information Must Be Included in Sequence NotesMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended Organism Name Required for Naturally Occurring VirusesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Non-Naturally Occurring Sequence Must Be Labeled as Synthetic ConstructMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Note Required for Sequence Generation MethodMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Mol_Type Qualifier for Sequence Types Must Be DisclosedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Mol_Type for Amino Acids Must Be ProteinMPEP 2413.01(g) Free Text as Qualifier Value FormatMPEP 2413.01(g) Free Text Limitation for Sequence CharacteristicsMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Free Text Must Not Exceed 1000 Characters for Qualifiers Other Than TranslationMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited Qualifiers with Language-Dependent Free Text Values for Sequences Must Be TranslatedMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Qualifiers for Nucleotide Sequences with Language-Dependent Free Text Values RequiredMPEP 2413.01(g) Qualifiers for Amino Acid Sequences with Language-Dependent TextMPEP 2413.01(g) CDS Feature Key Identifies Coding SequencesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted CDS Feature Must Include Stop CodonMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Qualifiers for CDS Feature Key in Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Standard Code Table Assumed Without Transl_Table QualifierMPEP 2413.01(g) CDS Feature Key Requires Transl_except for Pyrrolysine and SelenocysteineMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Amino Acid Sequence Must Be Included in ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Protein ID Must Be Provided for Amino Acid SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Organism Must Match for Amino Acid Sequence and Coding SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Representation and Inclusion of Variants in Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(g) Primary Sequence and Variants Must Be ListedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Variant Sequence Must Be Represented by Most Restrictive Ambiguity SymbolMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Variant Sequences Must Be Included in ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended Variant Sequence Must Be Separately Identified If Over 1000 ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Proper Use of Feature Keys and Qualifiers for Sequence VariantsMPEP 2413.01(g) Annotation of Sequence Variants Must Include Key and QualifierMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Replace Qualifier Must Contain Single Nucleotide or SequenceMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Note Qualifier for Alternative ResiduesMPEP 2413.01(g)Permitted Listing of Alternative Amino Acids Required When 'X' is UsedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Deletions Must Be Indicated By Empty Qualifier Or NoteMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Requirement for Inserted or Substituted Residues in Sequence ListingMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Qualifier Value Must Be Within 1000 CharactersMPEP 2413.01(g)Prohibited Symbols for Variant Residues Must Be UsedMPEP 2413.01(g)Recommended Note Qualifier for Modified Residues Must Use Full NameMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Modified Residues Must Be Described in Feature TableMPEP 2413.01(g)Required Sequence Insertion Must Be ListedMPEP 2413.01(g)Required
MPEP § 2413.01(h)	Sequence Listing XML Must Include Language Dependent Qualifiers in EnglishMPEP 2413.01(h)Required Language-Dependent Free Text Qualifiers Require TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted Free Text Is a Value Format for Descriptive QualifiersMPEP 2413.01(h) Free Text Limited for Sequence CharacteristicsMPEP 2413.01(h) Free Text Must Not Exceed 1000 Characters for Qualifiers Other Than TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Prohibited Language Dependent Free Text for Sequence Listing Qualifiers RequiredMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted Language Dependent Free Text Qualifiers for Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(h) Sequence Listing XML Must Use English for Language-Dependent Free TextMPEP 2413.01(h)Required Language Dependent Free Text Qualifier Values RequiredMPEP 2413.01(h)Required Organism Names Require No TranslationMPEP 2413.01(h)Required Technical Terms Considered English for INSDQualifier_valueMPEP 2413.01(h)Required Non-English Qualifiers Must Use Correct Language CodeMPEP 2413.01(h)Required NonEnglishQualifier Value Language RequirementMPEP 2413.01(h)Required Non-English Qualifiers Must Have Language CodesMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted NonEnglish and INSD Qualifier Values Must Be EquivalentMPEP 2413.01(h)Required Translation Requirement for Sequence Listing QualifiersMPEP 2413.01(h)Required Optional ID for Language Dependent Qualifiers in Sequence ListingsMPEP 2413.01(h)Permitted INSDQualifier ID Must Be UniqueMPEP 2413.01(h)Required
MPEP § 2414.04	Translation of Sequence Listing XML is Not an Amended Sequence ListingMPEP 2414.04Required Translation of Sequence Listing XML RequiredMPEP 2414.04Required Updated Values Not Considered Amendments for Sequence Listing XMLMPEP 2414.04

Related Provisions

Based on MPEP Last Modified: 10/30/2024 08:50:22

37 CFR § 1.833 — Requirements for a “Sequence Listing (MPEP Coverage Index) – BlueIron IP

37 CFR § 1.833 Requirements for a “Sequence Listing

Summary

Official MPEP § 1.833 — Requirements for a “Sequence Listing

1.833 Requirements for a “Sequence Listing XML” for nucleotide and/or amino acid sequences as part of a patent application filed on or after July 1, 2022.

Verbatim in MPEP

Required Actions

Key Interpretations

Topics

MPEP Coverage

Related Provisions