What are the submission options for ASCII plain text sequence listings to the USPTO?

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 MPEP 2422.03(a), there are several options for submitting ASCII plain text sequence listings to the USPTO:

• Via EFS-Web (now Patent Center) as a text file.
• On a compact disc (CD) or Digital Video Disc (DVD).
• As part of a patent application filing via EFS-Web.

The MPEP states: “ASCII plain text files are permitted and accepted by the Office via EFS-Web or on compact disc or DVD. If submitted via EFS-Web, ASCII plain text files are permitted and accepted as text files (.txt) via EFS-Web.” It’s important to note that the method of submission may affect the filing date of your application, so choose the appropriate method based on your specific needs and timeline.