3.2 Filing with a competent national authority 

If the application is filed with a competent national authority, that authority must inform the EPO without delay of receipt of the documents making up the application and indicate the nature and date of receipt of the documents, the application number and any priority date claimed. It is recommended that the authority should also indicate the applicant's or representative's reference number, where provided. In practice, the EPO receives the above information when the actual application is forwarded to it unless national security checks by the national authority delay the forwarding of the application, in which case a separate notice is sent by that authority to the EPO.

When the EPO receives an application forwarded by the national authority of a contracting state, it notifies the applicant, indicating the date of receipt at the EPO. Once this communication has been received, all further documents relating to the application must be sent direct to the EPO.

Where an application is not received by the EPO from the national authority of a contracting state before the end of the 14th month after filing or, if priority has been claimed, after the date of priority and is consequently deemed withdrawn (see A‑II, 1.6), the applicant must be notified accordingly; all fees must be refunded, including any fees paid in advance of their due date.