What options does an applicant have when responding to formal requirements?

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.

When responding to formal requirements in a patent application, an applicant has two main options:

1. Comply with all formal requirements
2. Specifically traverse each requirement not complied with

This is based on 37 CFR 1.111(b) and MPEP 707.07(a), which state: “a complete reply must either comply with all formal requirements or specifically traverse each requirement not complied with.” This allows applicants to either make the required changes or argue against the necessity of such changes, providing flexibility in responding to formal requirements.