Trademark Office Issuing Electronic Registration Certificates

For many of the organizations we work with, the registration of a trademark is a significant moment and worth commemorating. After months of waiting, the certificate issued from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) is the definitive proof of ownership of a valued mark. Some businesses choose to display their certificate in a frame, along with other certifications and awards. It’s a sign of achievement.

Alas, as the world continues to go paperless, the printed registration certificate is becoming an optional item, and will no longer be automatically issued. Instead, digital registrations will be emailed to the correspondent of record. 

As of May 24, 2022, the PTO has ceased automatically issuing paper certificates for trademark registrations. Printed registration certificates with the embossed seal will still be available, but only upon request at the time of filing the application, and for an additional fee. If you filed an application in the last year or so, check with your attorney about the availability of a paper certificate. 

Applicants who filed their application prior to May 24, 2022 will be able to request printed registration certificates at no extra charge. Once the digital registration is issued, the paper copy can be ordered. 

Electronic versions of registration certificates will continue to be available for download, allowing registrants to save them as either PDF files or print them out as desired. Additional copies of paper certificates can always be ordered from the PTO, for a fee. 

Considering applying for trademark registration? Consult an experienced attorney to make sure you get what you need for your business.