How do individuals apply for patents and what should they do when applying for patents?

Legal analysis: an individual applying for a patent shall submit a request, a specification and its abstract, a patent claim and other documents. The request shall specify the name of the invention or utility model, the name of the inventor, the name and address of the applicant and other matters.

Legal basis: Article 34 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). After receiving an application for a patent for invention, the administrative department for patent in the State Council, after preliminary examination, finds that it conforms to the provisions of this Law, and shall publish it within 18 months from the date of application. The patent administration department of the State Council may publish its application at an early date upon the request of the applicant.