What are the four types of U.S. national applications?

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.

According to the MPEP, there are four types of U.S. national applications:

• A national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371
• A regular domestic national application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a)
• A provisional application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(b)
• An international design application filed under the Hague Agreement

The MPEP states: “There are four types of U.S. national applications: a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. 371, a regular domestic national application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a), a provisional application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(b), and an international design application filed under the Hague Agreement in which the Office has received a copy of the international registration pursuant to Hague Agreement Article 10.“