1. Submit an application

The submitted trademark application will be assigned a serial number. This number is often used in communications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the applicant can Check the status of your trademark application on the USPTO website by entering this serial number.

2. The USPTO examines the application

If the minimum requirements are met, the USPTO will assign an examiner to the trademark application. The examiner will determine whether the application is a trademark permitted by federal regulations. Even if the application is later rejected for legal reasons, the application fee will not be refunded.

3. The USPTO public logo

If the application is not rejected or no additional content is required, the examiner will approve the publication of the application in the Official Gazette (OG) logo. The Official Gazette is published online every week, informing the public of registrations the United States Patent and Trademark Office plans to issue. Approximately one month after approval by the examiner, the applied for mark will be published in the official gazette and enter a 30-day opposition period. Any party that believes that the registration of the mark would harm its rights can submit an objection to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) within 30 days.

4. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issues an approval notice

Within 2 months after the logo is published in the official gazette, the applicant will receive the "Notice of Allowance" , NOA). The approval notice is not a registration certificate, but indicates that the mark will be approved for registration after the USPTO receives an acceptable Statement of Use (SOU). The deadline to submit an SOU or a Request to Extension of Time to Submit an SOU begins on the date the NOA is issued. If the applicant does not submit an SOU or extension request within 6 months of this date, the application will be abandoned.

5. The USPTO examines the "Statement of Use"

If the minimum requirements are met, the "Statement of Use" will be forwarded to the examiner. The examiner will determine whether registration is permitted under federal regulations. Even if the application is subsequently rejected for legal reasons, the applicant cannot withdraw the Declaration of Use and the application fee will not be refunded.

6. The "Statement of Use" is recognized and the logo is registered

If there is no reason for rejection or no additional content is required, the examiner will approve the "Statement of Use". Within 2 months after the date of approval of the Statement of Use, the USPTO will issue a registration certificate.