USPTO Certified Trademark Registration Apostille
Federal authentication of your USPTO certified trademark registration through the U.S. Department of State, so foreign trademark offices, customs authorities, and courts accept it as proof of your U.S. rights.
Hand-delivered submission in Washington, D.C. Pre-submission review by federal-document specialists. Embassy legalization handled in-house for non-Hague countries.
PATENT AND
TRADEMARK
OFFICE
What This Document Is
A certified copy of a U.S. trademark registration is an official record issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. It certifies that the attached registration is a true copy of the USPTO's records and states the registration's current title (who owns it) and status (whether it is in force), as of the date of certification.
It is often called a "title and status copy." Foreign authorities treat it as the U.S. government's own confirmation that a mark is registered, valid, and owned by the party presenting it.
A USPTO certified trademark registration contains:
- A certification sheet on engraved certificate paper headed "The United States of America" and "United States Department of Commerce, United States Patent and Trademark Office"
- The date of certification
- The registration number, with a statement that the attached registration is a true copy in full force and effect, including notations of all statutory actions taken on it
- The registration term and renewal history, for example the original 10-year term and each renewal, plus maintenance filings such as Section 8 and 15 declarations
- The current owner of record, stated as "Said records show title to be in"
- An authority statement citing the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO
- The USPTO's gold foil seal and the signature of a USPTO certifying officer
- The attached registration itself: the mark, goods and services, classes, and registration details
Which Copy Can Be Apostilled
Trademark owners often have several versions of their registration on hand. Only one of them can be authenticated.
| Version | What It Is | Can It Be Apostilled? |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy (title and status) | Ordered from the USPTO; paper, gold seal, signed by a certifying officer | Yes, by the U.S. Department of State |
| Electronic registration certificate | The certificate the USPTO now issues electronically and posts in TSDR for download and printing | No. It carries no certifying officer's signature or seal. |
| Presentation copy | A decorative one-page copy with a gold foil seal, made for display and framing | No. The USPTO states it is not a registration certificate or a certified copy. |
| Original paper certificate (pre-electronic era) | The certificate mailed when older registrations issued | Order a certified copy instead. The original does not show current title and status. |
| TSDR printout or notarized photocopy | A status page or photocopy, with or without a notary's stamp | No. A notary cannot certify a federal record. |
What It Is Used For Internationally
An apostilled certified registration is how a U.S. brand owner proves its U.S. rights to a foreign government or court. Common uses include:
- Filing trademark applications abroad that rely on the U.S. registration, including "as registered" (telle quelle) filings based on a home-country registration under the Paris Convention.
- Customs recordation with foreign border authorities to stop counterfeit imports.
- Infringement, opposition, and cancellation proceedings before foreign courts and trademark offices, where evidence of U.S. ownership is required.
- Bad-faith registration disputes, where a third party has registered the brand abroad first.
- Recording assignments, licenses, and mergers with foreign trademark registries.
- Franchise and distribution agreements, including franchise registration or disclosure filings in countries that require proof of mark ownership.
- Product registration and import licensing, where foreign regulators ask the brand owner or local distributor to document the rights to the brand name.
- Brand protection programs with foreign marketplaces, platforms, and domain registries.
Foreign authorities require federal authentication because they cannot verify a USPTO certifying officer's signature or the USPTO seal on their own.
How to Order a Certified Copy From the USPTO
Only the USPTO can issue a certified copy of a trademark registration. The process is straightforward:
- Where to order: the USPTO Certified Copy Center. Choose the trademark registration certified with current title and status.
- Who can order: registered trademarks are public records, so the owner, its attorney, or anyone acting for them can place the order with the registration number.
- Fee: set by the USPTO fee schedule. The USPTO has listed it at $15 per certified registration; check the current fee schedule before ordering.
- Speed: certified trademark registrations with title and status are the one certified document type the USPTO allows to be expedited. Express delivery is not offered through the Certified Copy Center, so allow for shipping time.
- Delivery: printed on certificate paper, sealed, signed, and mailed. Have it shipped directly to our office to save a leg of transit.
- How many: order one certified copy per country or proceeding. Each apostille is permanently attached to one copy.
Other USPTO Certified Records We Authenticate
The same federal process applies to other USPTO certified records, each bearing the USPTO seal and a certifying officer's signature:
| Record | Typical International Use |
|---|---|
| Certified trademark application as filed | Claiming priority from a pending U.S. application in a foreign filing |
| Certified trademark file history | Foreign litigation and opposition evidence |
| Certified assignment records | Proving a chain of title after a sale, merger, or name change |
| Certified copy of a U.S. patent | Foreign patent enforcement and licensing |
| Certified patent application as filed | Some foreign priority claims. Many patent offices instead retrieve these electronically through WIPO's Digital Access Service, so confirm what the foreign office requires. |
Why Federal Authentication Is Required
Apostille authority in the United States is divided between state Secretaries of State and the U.S. Department of State, depending on who issued the document.
| Issuing Authority | Examples | Where Authenticated |
|---|---|---|
| State or local government | State trademark registrations, articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, notarized powers of attorney | Secretary of State of the issuing state |
| Federal government | USPTO certified trademark registrations, certified patents and assignments, USCIS certificates, FBI Identity History Summaries, IRS documents | U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, Washington, D.C. |
A federal trademark registration is issued under the Lanham Act, and its certified copy is signed by a USPTO officer. No state Secretary of State can apostille it, including the state where the owner is incorporated or where the USPTO is located. A state trademark registration is a different document and is apostilled by that state.
Federal authentication:
- Confirms that the signature is that of an authorized USPTO certifying officer
- Confirms that the seal is the official seal of the USPTO
- Allows the certified copy to be recognized abroad under the Hague Apostille Convention or through consular legalization
travel.state.gov — Authenticate Your Document
Document Preparation Requirements
Acceptable Format
- A certified copy issued by the USPTO, with the certification sheet and the attached registration together as delivered.
- Bears the USPTO seal and the signature of a USPTO certifying officer.
- Shows the current owner and an in-force status that match how the mark will be presented abroad.
Strict Preparation Rules
- Keep it intact. Do not unbind, unstaple, or separate the certification sheet from the attached registration pages.
- Do not notarize it or attach a notarial certificate.
- Do not write on, highlight, or tab any page, including the attached registration.
- Do not laminate or frame it, and do not fold it across the seal.
- Do not send a TSDR printout or presentation copy in its place.
- Store it flat in its original envelope until you ship it to us.
Step-by-Step Apostille Process
Order the Certified Copy
Order a certified copy of the registration with current title and status from the USPTO Certified Copy Center. Choose expedited service if your deadline is close.
Order & Document Review
Place your order and send us the certified copy, or have the USPTO ship it to us. We check the certification, owner of record, status, and destination country before submission.
Department of State Submission
We hand-deliver the certified copy to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, with the DS-4194 request form and the federal fee.
Apostille or Authentication Issued
The Department of State attaches an Apostille for Hague Convention countries or an Authentication Certificate for non-Hague countries.
Embassy Legalization (If Required)
For non-Hague countries, we take the authenticated copy to the destination country's embassy or consulate in Washington, D.C., for legalization.
Certified Translation (Optional)
Many foreign trademark offices require a translation. We provide certified translations of the certification, the registration, and the apostille together.
How to Visually Confirm the Document Is Ready
- An engraved certificate sheet headed "The United States of America"
- "United States Department of Commerce, United States Patent and Trademark Office"
- A certification date
- The registration number with a statement that it is a true copy in full force and effect
- The registration term and any renewals
- "Said records show title to be in" followed by the current owner's name
- A gold foil USPTO seal
- The signature and printed name of a USPTO certifying officer
- The attached registration pages, still bound to the certification sheet
- No notarization, handwriting, highlighting, tabs, or lamination
Common Reasons Trademark Registrations Are Rejected
1. Electronic Certificate or Presentation Copy Submitted
The most common mistake. Neither carries a certifying officer's signature. Fix: order a certified copy with title and status from the USPTO.
2. Notarized Photocopy
A notary has no authority to certify a federal record, and a notarized copy will not receive a federal apostille. Fix: obtain the certified copy directly from the USPTO.
3. Sent to a State Secretary of State
State offices cannot authenticate a federal officer's signature. Fix: submit to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications.
4. Separated or Altered Pages
A certification sheet removed from its attached registration, or pages that have been unstapled, marked, or tabbed, may not be accepted. Fix: keep the certified copy exactly as the USPTO delivered it.
5. Outdated Owner or Status (Rejected Abroad)
Foreign offices reject filings when the certified copy names a prior owner, a pre-merger entity name, or shows a lapsed status. Fix: record the assignment or name change, or file the renewal, before ordering.
6. Certified Copy Too Old for the Recipient
A copy certified years ago may not reflect current status, and many foreign authorities want a recent one. Fix: confirm the recipient's age limit and order a fresh copy.
Hague Convention vs. Non-Hague Countries
| Destination Type | What You Receive | Additional Steps | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hague Convention country | Apostille issued by the U.S. Department of State | None. The document is ready for use abroad. | China, India, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Saudi Arabia. |
| Non-Hague country | Authentication Certificate from the U.S. Department of State | Embassy or consulate legalization after authentication. | United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Vietnam, Thailand, Iraq. |
Hague Convention membership changes periodically. We verify the destination country's current status on every order. See our Country Guide and Embassy Legalization Guides for country-specific requirements.
Processing Times & Validity
- USPTO certified copy: fulfillment times vary; expedited service is available for certified trademark registrations. Add mailing time from the USPTO.
- Federal apostille through our office: 7 business days (excluding Fridays and federal holidays) once we receive the certified copy.
- Embassy legalization: typically 3 business days to 4 weeks, depending on the country.
- Validity: the certified copy has no expiration date, but it speaks only to title and status on its certification date. Foreign trademark offices and courts often require a recently certified copy, and some set a specific limit. Confirm the recipient's requirement, and your foreign counsel's filing deadline, before you order.
Use our Processing Time Estimator for a country-specific projection.
Why Choose Federal Apostille and Notary Processing
We are a Washington, D.C.-based service specializing in federal authentications, including intellectual property records for brand owners, law firms, and foreign-filing agents.
- Hand-delivery to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications.
- $120 flat-rate pricing with government authentication fees included.
- Pre-submission review that catches electronic certificates, presentation copies, and outdated owner records before they cost you a foreign filing deadline.
- Direct-ship option: have the USPTO mail the certified copy straight to our office.
- Companion documents: we also route powers of attorney, assignment deeds, and corporate documents for your foreign filing through the correct state or federal channel, so the full package arrives together.
- Embassy legalization for non-Hague countries handled in-house in Washington, D.C.
- Certified translations in major languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic.
- Worldwide tracked shipping via FedEx, UPS, and DHL, including direct delivery to your foreign counsel.
- Over 10 years of experience processing federal authentications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a U.S. trademark registration be apostilled?
Yes, but only a USPTO certified copy. The certified copy bears the USPTO seal and the signature of a USPTO certifying officer, which the U.S. Department of State can authenticate. The electronic registration certificate downloaded from TSDR and the decorative presentation copy are not certified copies and cannot be apostilled.
Is the registration certificate I downloaded from TSDR enough?
No. Since the USPTO moved to electronic registration certificates, the certificate in TSDR is a printable record with no certifying officer's signature and no seal. For an apostille you need a certified copy ordered from the USPTO, which certifies the registration's current title and status.
How do I order a certified copy of my trademark registration?
Order a certified copy of the registration showing current title and status through the USPTO Certified Copy Center. Anyone can order one for a registered mark. The USPTO prints it on paper, signs and seals it, and ships it. Expedited processing is available for this document type.
Can a notary certify a copy of my trademark registration instead?
No. A notary cannot certify a federal record. Only the USPTO can issue a certified copy of a trademark registration, and a notarized photocopy will not receive a federal apostille.
Does the certified copy expire?
It has no expiration date, but it certifies title and status only as of the date printed on the certification. Foreign trademark offices and courts often want a recently issued copy, especially if the mark was recently renewed or assigned. Confirm the recipient's requirement before ordering.
We have a state trademark registration, not a federal one. Does this page apply?
No. A state trademark registration is issued by a Secretary of State and is apostilled at the state level. See our State-Level Apostille service.
How long does the whole process take?
USPTO fulfillment time varies, and expedited service is available for certified trademark registrations. Once we receive the certified copy, our federal apostille processing is 7 business days. Embassy legalization for non-Hague countries adds 3 business days to 4 weeks depending on the country.
Do we need to be in Washington, D.C.?
No. You can mail us the certified copy or have the USPTO ship it directly to our office. We handle the Department of State submission and any embassy legalization, then ship the finished document anywhere in the world, including directly to your foreign counsel.
Summary
A USPTO certified copy is the only version of a U.S. trademark registration that can be apostilled. It certifies the mark's current title and status under the signature of a USPTO certifying officer, so only the U.S. Department of State, never a state Secretary of State, can authenticate it. Electronic TSDR certificates, presentation copies, and notarized photocopies will not work.
Federal Apostille and Notary Processing handles every step after the USPTO issues your certified copy, from document review through final embassy legalization, so your registration arrives abroad in legally recognized form.
Ready to Apostille Your Trademark Registration?
$120 flat rate. Hand-delivered to the U.S. Department of State. Ready in 7 business days. Send us your USPTO certified copy, or have the USPTO ship it straight to us.
