What are the requirements for changing assignee information after patent issuance?

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.

Changing assignee information after a patent has been issued requires following specific steps outlined in MPEP 1481.01. According to the manual, any request to correct a patent to state the name of the assignee must:

• State that the assignment was submitted for recordation as set forth in 37 CFR 3.11 before issuance of the patent;
• Include a request for a certificate of correction under 37 CFR 1.323 along with the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.20(a);
• Include the processing fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(i).

The MPEP warns: “Request to add or change the assignee information which does not comply with 37 CFR 3.81(b) will not be granted.”