What is the purpose of an Application Data Sheet (ADS) in a patent 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.

An Application Data Sheet (ADS) serves as a crucial document in patent applications filed on or after September 16, 2012. Its primary purposes are:

• To provide bibliographic data for the application
• To facilitate efficient processing and examination of the application
• To ensure accurate capture of important information by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP)

According to MPEP 601.05(a), “An application data sheet is a sheet or sheets that may be submitted in a provisional application (except as provided in 37 CFR 1.53(c)(1) ), a nonprovisional application, or a national stage application.” The ADS helps streamline the application process and reduces errors in the handling of patent applications.