What information is required in an inventor’s oath or declaration?

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.

An inventor’s oath or declaration must include:

• Inventor bibliographic information (see MPEP § 602.08(a))
• Name of the inventor or each joint inventor
• Signature of each inventor (with some exceptions, see MPEP § 602.08(b))
• Identification of the application to which it is directed (see MPEP § 602.08(c))

As stated in the MPEP, “The inventor’s oath or declaration must include certain inventor bibliographic information, name the inventor or each joint inventor and except as otherwise provided be signed by each inventor, and identify the application to which it is directed.”