An international application may be filed by delivery by hand or by post with one of the EPO's filing offices in Munich, The Hague or Berlin. All EPO filing offices are based in the Central European Time (CET) zone.

Natural and legal persons who are nationals or residents of a PCT contracting state may file an international application with any of the following as receiving Office, provided that this option is available to them:[Art. 2(xv); Art. 9; 10; R. 18; 19; ]

1. Where and how international applications may be filed

2. Competence of the EPO to act as receiving Office

3. Procedure on filing

4. Examination on filing

5. Incorporation by reference of missing elements or parts

Formalities officers should note that this Part A is intended to provide them with knowledge and background to help them carry out their functions in a uniform and expeditious manner. It provides guidance in addition to other relevant PCT legal sources, such as the PCT Administrative Instructions, the PCT Receiving Office Guidelines, the PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines and the Euro-PCT Guide.

1. Overview

2. Purpose of Part A

3. Other Parts relating to formalities