What is the difference between a national application and an international application?

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.

A national application is filed directly with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) under U.S. patent laws, while an international application is filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

According to MPEP 201.01: ‘National applications include original (nonprovisional), reissue, design, plant, and provisional applications.’ These applications are processed solely within the U.S. patent system.

International applications, on the other hand, are filed under the PCT and can potentially lead to patent protection in multiple countries. They enter the national phase in individual countries at a later stage.

For more information on USPTO, visit: USPTO.