3.3 Certified copy of the previous application (priority document) 

The certified copy of the previous application, i.e. the priority document, must be filed within 16 months of the priority date (see A‑III, 6.7; for Euro-PCT cases see, however, E‑IX, 2.3.5), unless such a copy is already on file because it has been supplied in the context of Rule 40(3), see A‑II, 4.1.3.1, or of a request pursuant to Rule 56 or Rule 56a, see A‑II, 5.4.3 and A‑II, 6.4.2.

Moreover, in accordance with Rule 53(2) and the decision of the President of the EPO dated 9 August 2012, OJ EPO 2012, 492, the EPO will include a copy of the previous application in the file of the European patent application without charging a fee in the cases indicated in A‑III, 6.7.

As soon as the EPO has included in the file of the European patent application a copy of the previous application, it informs the applicant accordingly.