This page is an FAQ based on guidance 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.
No, a provisional application cannot be directly converted into a nonprovisional application. The MPEP 201.04 clearly states:
“A provisional application cannot be converted to a nonprovisional application.”
Instead, to claim the benefit of a provisional application, an applicant must file a separate nonprovisional application within 12 months of the provisional filing date. This nonprovisional application must include a specific reference to the provisional application.
For more information on nonprovisional application, visit: nonprovisional application.
For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.