USPTO fees depend on the application type, fee category and applicant status. A basic filing fee is only one part of a patent budget. Search, examination, later prosecution, issuance and maintenance can involve separate charges. Keep official fees separate from professional-service costs.
Use the Current Official Schedule
The USPTO fee schedule lists fee codes and regular, small-entity and micro-entity amounts. Confirm eligibility and check the exact code before paying. Do not treat a single filing amount as the total cost of obtaining a patent.
Patent Renewal and Maintenance Fees
U.S. utility patent maintenance payments are commonly described as renewal fees. Design and plant patents do not require these maintenance payments. Consult the official maintenance guidance and the patent’s current record for payment windows and any surcharge.
Budget and Payment Checks
Record each expected charge, source, reviewer and payment date. Separate official fees from drafting, searching, illustration and response services. Before paying, check the matter reference, fee category, current status and authorisation. Save the receipt and reconcile it against the intended action.
Discuss Patent Preparation Costs
Contact Menteso to discuss research, documentation and illustration support. Ask for a scoped quote that identifies deliverables, review responsibilities and official charges separately.
Current USPTO Fee Examples
Amounts below are in U.S. dollars, checked against the official schedule on October 25, 2026. They are selected official charges, not a complete project quote. Verify current fees and eligibility before payment.
| Charge | Regular | Small entity | Micro entity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provisional filing | $325 | $130 | $65 |
| Utility basic filing | $350 | $140 | $70 |
| Utility search | $770 | $308 | $154 |
| Utility examination | $880 | $352 | $176 |
| Design basic filing | $300 | $120 | $60 |
| Design search | $300 | $120 | $60 |
| Design examination | $700 | $280 | $140 |
| Independent claim above three | $600 | $240 | $120 |
| Total claim above twenty | $200 | $80 | $40 |
| First RCE | $1,500 | $600 | $300 |
| Second or later RCE | $2,860 | $1,144 | $572 |
| Notice of appeal | $905 | $362 | $181 |
| Maintenance: 3.5 years | $2,150 | $860 | $430 |
| Maintenance: 7.5 years | $4,040 | $1,616 | $808 |
| Maintenance: 11.5 years | $8,280 | $3,312 | $1,656 |
The small-entity electronic utility basic filing fee is $70 when that fee category applies. Search and examination charges remain separate. Other charges and professional costs may apply.
How Much Does a Patent Search Cost?
An official patent-office search fee and a private research engagement are different services. For private research, request a scoped quote identifying the search objective, sources, countries, review depth and deliverable. A government fee table does not establish a provider’s professional-service price.
What Does “Patent Pending” Cost?
There is no single all-inclusive “patent pending” price. Identify the application route and the official and professional charges involved. For a U.S. provisional application, the table shows the basic filing charge; drafting, illustration and later filing work are separate budget items.