What is a national application under U.S. patent law?

A national application, as described in MPEP 201.01, is a U.S. patent application filed under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) or 35 U.S.C. 111(b). The MPEP states: A national application may be a nonprovisional application or a provisional application. National applications are distinct from international applications and are processed directly by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

For more information on nonprovisional application, visit: nonprovisional application.

For more information on provisional application, visit: provisional application.

For more information on USPTO, visit: USPTO.