What are the conditions for making a final Office action when supplying a full text document or translation?

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.

When an examiner supplies a full text document and/or translation in an Office action, it may be made final under certain conditions. The MPEP states:

“An Office action supplying a full text document and/or translation may be made final if the conditions described in MPEP § 706.07(a) or for a first Office action or RCE, in MPEP § 706.07(b), have been met.“

To understand when an Office action can be made final, refer to:

• MPEP § 706.07(a) for general conditions for making a second or subsequent action final
• MPEP § 706.07(b) for conditions for making a first action final after filing a request for continued examination (RCE)

It’s important for both examiners and applicants to understand these conditions to ensure proper procedure and to anticipate the potential for a final Office action when full text documents or translations are provided.