Michael J. Foycik Jr., Esq.

NONPROVISIONAL UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

A nonprovisional utility patent application must be in the English language or be accompanied by a translation in the English language, a statement that the translation is accurate and a fee set forth in 37 CFR §1.17(i).

All papers which are to become part of the permanent records of the USPTO must be typewritten or produced by a mechanical (or computer) printer. The text must be in permanent black ink or its equivalent; on a single side of the paper; in portrait orientation; on white paper that is all of the same size, flexible, strong, smooth, nonshiny, durable, and without holes. The paper size must be either:

• 21.6 cm. by 27.9 cm. (81/2 by 11 inches), or
• 21.0 cm. by 29.7 cm. (DIN size A4).

There must be a left margin of at least 2.5 cm. (1 inch) and top, right, and bottom margins of at least 2.0 cm. (3/4 inch). Drawing page requirements are discussed separately below.

A nonprovisional utility patent application must include a specification, including a claim or claims; drawings, when necessary; an oath or declaration; and the prescribed filing, search, and examination fees. A complete nonprovisional utility patent application should contain the elements listed below, arranged in the order shown.

• Utility Patent Application Transmittal Form or Transmittal Letter
• Fee Transmittal Form and Appropriate Fees
• Application Data Sheet (see 37 CFR § 1.76)
• Specification (with at least one claim)
• Drawings (when necessary)
• Executed Oath or Declaration
• Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Listing (when necessary)

Information Source: www.uspto.gov