How does the USPTO assign application numbers to continuation or divisional applications?

How does the USPTO assign application numbers to continuation or divisional applications?

The USPTO assigns application numbers to continuation or divisional applications in the same manner as new applications. According to MPEP 503:

A continuation or divisional application (including a continued prosecution application) filed under 37 CFR 1.53(b) is assigned a new application number.

This means:

• Each continuation or divisional application receives a unique number
• The number is assigned in the same sequence as other new applications
• The application number does not indicate its relationship to the parent application

It’s important to reference the parent application in the appropriate sections of the new application to establish the continuity.

For more information on continuation application, visit: continuation application.

For more information on Divisional application, visit: Divisional application.

For more information on USPTO procedures, visit: USPTO procedures.