What types of applications are considered national applications?

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.

According to MPEP 201.01, national applications include:

• Original (nonprovisional) applications
• Reissue applications
• Reexamination proceedings

The MPEP specifically states:

‘National applications include original (nonprovisional) applications, reissue applications, and reexamination proceedings.’

Each of these types serves a different purpose in the patent process. Original applications are for new inventions, reissue applications are for correcting errors in existing patents, and reexamination proceedings are for reviewing the validity of granted patents.

For more information on reissue applications, visit: reissue applications.