Which documents are necessary to obtain a filing date for a national stage application under PCT?

To establish a filing date for a national stage application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), it is crucial to provide certain documents. Among these, the submission of an oath or declaration is a significant requirement, as it certifies that the applicant believes themselves to be the original inventor or discoverer of the content disclosed in the application. Accompanying this declaration, the payment of filing fees is essential because the timely payment is tied to the effective filing of the application and establishing the filing date.

While other options may contain relevant documents for various stages of the patent application process, they do not directly relate to the requirements necessary to secure a filing date. A patent specification and claims are important components of a patent application but do not specifically address the filing date requirements under PCT. Similarly, a letter of authorization and application drawings may be needed later in the process, but they are not fundamental to obtaining the filing date in the national stage of the PCT process. Lastly, a request form and priority application are important elements of the PCT process, but they do not encompass all necessary documents to obtain the filing date.

Therefore, the correct answer highlights the indispensable components needed to initiate a national stage application correctly, ensuring it adheres to the established protocols under