503 Application Number and Filing Receipt
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(a) It is desirable that all parts of the complete application be deposited in the Office together; otherwise, a letter must accompany each part, accurately and clearly connecting it with the other parts of the application. See § 1.53(f) and (g) with regard to completion of an application.
(b) Applicant will be informed of the application number and filing date by a filing receipt, unless the application is an application filed under § 1.53(d). A letter limited to a request for a filing receipt may be signed by a juristic applicant or patent owner.
I. APPLICATION NUMBER
Application numbers consisting of a series code and a serial number are assigned by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) immediately after mail has been opened.
If a self-addressed postcard is submitted with a patent application, that postcard will be provided with both the receipt date and application number prior to returning it to the addressee.
The identifying data on the postcard should include:
- inventor’s name(s);
- title of invention;
- number of pages of specification, claims (for nonprovisional applications), and sheets of drawing;
- whether the inventor's oath or declaration is included;
- a list of any additional forms included with the application (e.g., application transmittal form, application data sheet, fee transmittal form, and/or provisional application cover sheet); and
- amount and manner of paying the fee.
II. FILING RECEIPTS
The filing receipt includes the application number, filing date, a confirmation number, a suggested class in the U.S. Patent Classification System, and the number of an art unit where the application is likely to be examined.
For original (non-reissue) applications filed on or after September 16, 2012, the filing of the inventor's oath or declaration may be postponed until the date the issue fee is paid if an application data sheet is timely filed providing the required inventor information.
A nonprovisional application filed on or after December 18, 2013 may receive a filing date when filed with or without claims.
- For applications filed on or after December 18, 2013, the filing of at least one claim may be postponed until the expiration of the time period set in Notice to File Missing Parts.
III. RETURN POSTCARD
If a submitter desires a receipt for any item (e.g., paper or fee) filed in the USPTO by means other than the Office's electronic filing system, it may be obtained by enclosing with the paper a self-addressed postcard specifically identifying the item.
The USPTO will stamp the receipt date on the postcard and place it in the outgoing mail.
- A postcard receipt which itemizes and properly identifies the items which are being filed serves as prima facie evidence of receipt in the USPTO of all the items listed thereon on the date stamped thereon by the USPTO.
- The postcard receipt will not serve as prima facie evidence of receipt of any item which is not adequately itemized on the postcard.
