How to Use USPTO Trademark Center: File a Trademark Application Step by Step

What Is USPTO Trademark Center?

It is where you file. TSDR is where you check status and read records.

Before You Start: What You Need

How to File a Trademark Application in Trademark Center

Ten steps, from creating an account to tracking the application after you submit.

1. 1Step 1 — Create a USPTO.gov Account with Two-Step Authentication

   Trademark Center uses a USPTO.gov account. Create one in your own name and set up two-step authentication, by email, an authenticator app or a voice call.

   Start from the USPTO trademark login page (opens in a new tab). Use an account in your own name: accounts are for individuals, and sharing an account is prohibited.

   On screen: Trademark Center's home page. Filing requires signing in with a verified USPTO.gov account.

   1. 1Sign in with your USPTO.gov account

   Common mistake

   Creating the account in a company or shared name. Verification checks the account holder's identity, so the name must match the person's ID.

2. 2Step 2 — Verify Your Identity

   Identity verification is mandatory to file. Most people finish it online through ID.me in under 15 minutes; a notarized paper form is the alternative. The name on the account must match your ID.

   The USPTO offers two routes:

   • Online through ID.me, with a selfie or a video call with an agent. The USPTO says it receives only your name from ID.me.
   • Paper, a notarized form for which you show two government IDs to a notary, then mail the original.

   It is one-time. Watch the USPTO's ID.me verification video (opens in a new tab) before you start.

   Common mistake

   A name mismatch between the USPTO.gov account, the ID and the form, which stalls verification.

3. 3Step 3 — Choose Your Role

   Pick the role that fits you, such as trademark owner, attorney or attorney support staff. Your role decides what you see; support staff must be sponsored by a verified attorney.

   Roles include trademark owner, U.S.-licensed attorney, Canadian attorney or agent, and attorney support staff. Support staff verify their own identity first, then each supervising attorney sponsors them. An attorney cannot sponsor another attorney.

   On screen: Choosing a role. The role decides which filings and menus you see.

   1. 1Trademark owner
   2. 2Attorney or support staff roles

4. 4Step 4 — Start a New Application

   Open Trademark Center and start a new trademark application. The guided form takes you through each section, flags missing information, autosaves your draft and updates the fees as you go.

   The form checks your entries as you go and the fee total updates with each class and surcharge, so you see the cost before you pay. Have the information from the checklist ready.

   On screen: A new application. The guided form lists each section and keeps a running fee total.

   1. 1Application sections
   2. 2Running fee total
   3. 3Draft saved automatically

   Common mistake

   Leaving a draft idle. Sessions end after 30 minutes of inactivity; drafts autosave, but re-check the last section you were working on.

5. 5Step 5 — Enter the Owner's Information

   Enter the applicant, who must be the owner of the mark: legal name, entity type, citizenship or state of organization, domicile address and email. Foreign-domiciled applicants need a U.S.-licensed attorney.

   The applicant must be the owner of the mark, the person or business that controls the nature and quality of the goods or services. Enter a domicile address, the place of business or residence, not just a mailing address.

   On screen: Owner information. The applicant must be the owner of the mark.

   1. 1Entity type
   2. 2Domicile address
   3. 3Email

   Common mistake

   Naming the wrong owner, such as a founder instead of the company that uses the mark. An application filed by someone who is not the owner can be void.

6. 6Step 6 — Add the Mark

   Choose a standard character mark for words alone, or a special form mark for a logo or stylized design, and upload a JPG image of a special form mark with its description.

   A standard character mark protects the words in any font or style. A special form mark protects a particular design or stylization; describe it and list any colors you claim. In 2026 the USPTO added AI suggestions for mark descriptions and color claims; review any suggestion before you accept it.

   On screen: Standard character for words alone; special form for a logo or stylized design.

   1. 1Standard character
   2. 2Special form, with image upload

7. 7Step 7 — Identify the Goods and Services

   Pick identifications from the USPTO ID Manual wherever you can. Free-form text costs an extra $200 per class, and each class you add is charged separately.

   Each class is charged separately, so list only what you actually offer or intend to offer. Search the USPTO ID Manual (opens in a new tab) for pre-approved wording. Copying ID Manual text into the free-form box still counts as free-form.

   On screen: Picking identifications from the ID Manual avoids the free-form surcharge.

   1. 1Search the ID Manual
   2. 2Selected identification and class

   Common mistake

   Over-broad identifications. They raise the fee, invite office actions, and must be backed by use or a bona fide intent to use.

8. 8Step 8 — Choose a Filing Basis

   Choose use in commerce (Section 1(a)) if the mark is already in use, with a specimen for each class; intent to use (Section 1(b)) if it is not yet; or a foreign basis under Section 44.

   • Use in commerce, Section 1(a): the mark is in use now. Add a specimen for each class and the dates of first use.
   • Intent to use, Section 1(b): not yet in use. You will file a statement of use after a notice of allowance.
   • Foreign application or registration, Section 44: based on a filing or registration in another country.

   On screen: Each class needs a filing basis. Use in commerce needs a specimen and dates of use.

   1. 1Use in commerce, Section 1(a)
   2. 2Intent to use, Section 1(b)
   3. 3Foreign basis, Section 44

   Common mistake

   Claiming use for goods you do not sell yet. Use intent to use for those, and use in commerce only where you can show a real specimen.

9. 9Step 9 — Review, Sign, Pay and Submit

   Review every section, then sign the declaration, either yourself or by sending an e-signature request to the person authorized to sign. Pay by card or USPTO deposit account and submit.

   The declaration is a verified statement. If you are not the authorized signer, send the e-signature request to the person who is, or attach a signed declaration. Payment is by credit or debit card or a USPTO deposit account. Filing fees are not refunded, so review the identification and classes before paying.

   On screen: Sign the declaration yourself or send it for e-signature, then pay and submit.

   1. 1Signature options
   2. 2Fee total

10. 10Step 10 — Track the Application After You Submit

    The application gets a serial number when you submit. Use your Trademark Center docket for your filings, and TSDR for the official status and documents; check at least every three to four months.

    Save the filing confirmation. The USPTO's processing wait times (opens in a new tab) page shows how long first actions are currently taking. Our TSDR guide shows how to read the record.

    On screen: Your docket lists drafts and filings. TSDR remains the official status record.

    1. 1Drafts
    2. 2Submitted filings

    Common mistake

    Relying on email alone. Check TSDR at least every three to four months while the application is pending; the deadlines run whether or not you see the message.

Trademark Center Filing Fees

What Else You Can File in Trademark Center

Trademark Center vs. TSDR vs. Trademark Search

Common Trademark Center Problems

Avoiding Trademark Filing Scams

Trademark Center FAQs