How to Check Your Trademark Status and Track Your Application

Monitoring the progress of your trademark application is an essential part of protecting your brand. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requires all applicants and registrants to check their trademark application status or trademark registration status on a regular basis. Failing to monitor your filing could result in missed deadlines, abandonment of your application, or cancellation of your registration.

This guide explains how to complete a trademark status check using the USPTO’s official system, what the different statuses mean, and how TrademarkFactory® makes the process much easier with our built-in trademark tracking tools.

How to check a US trademark application in TSDR

These instructions cover applications and registrations at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For a Canadian filing, use the Canadian Trademarks Database rather than TSDR.

1. Open the official Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system. For a US application, leave the search type set to “US Serial, Registration, or Reference No.”
2. Enter the application’s eight-digit serial number in the number field. A serial number identifies an application; it does not mean the trademark is registered. If you are checking an issued registration, you can use its registration number instead.
3. Select Status. Confirm that the mark and owner match the application you intended to check, then read the status and its date.
4. Select Documents to review the official correspondence and filings. Read the relevant notice for any response requirements and deadlines; a short status label is not a substitute for the notice.
5. Save a dated copy of the status information and add any required action to your deadline calendar. Ask the USPTO’s Trademark Assistance Center or your attorney if the record is unclear.

How to find your serial number

Check the USPTO filing receipt first. It contains the application’s serial number. If someone filed for you, ask them for a copy of that receipt.

If you cannot locate the receipt, search the mark in USPTO Trademark Search. Open the matching record and check the owner and goods or services before copying its serial number into TSDR. Do not use a payment receipt number, an attorney’s internal reference or a business registration number.

A new filing or document may take time to appear. If the expected record is missing, check the number against your filing receipt and consult the USPTO’s status guidance. Do not assume that a missing search result means the application was refused.

How Often Should You Check Your Trademark Status?

The USPTO recommends checking a pending application at least every three to four months until registration. After filing post-registration maintenance documents, continue checking at least every three to four months until the filing is accepted.

This routine does not extend a response deadline. Review notices promptly and act by the deadline that applies to your case. New documents may not appear in TSDR on the day they are filed.

Common Trademark Statuses

When you complete a trademark status lookup, you may see one of the following:

• Under Examination – A USPTO examining attorney is reviewing your application.
• Office Action Issued – The examiner found issues that require a response. Failure to respond will lead to abandonment.
• Published for Opposition – The mark is approved and published for 30 days, allowing others to challenge it.
• Notice of Allowance – No opposition was filed; the mark is close to registration pending submission of a Statement of Use.
• Abandoned – The application was not completed, maintained, or responded to in time.
• Registered – The trademark has achieved official registration, subject to renewal requirements.

Why TrademarkFactory® Simplifies Trademark Tracking

While the USPTO requires you to check trademark status regularly, TSDR can be overwhelming and time-consuming. At TrademarkFactory®, we make it simple with our in-house trademark tracking system, available through your User Center.

When you file your U.S. trademark application with us, you don’t have to worry about logging into TSDR every few months. Instead, you get:

• Automatic monitoring of your USPTO trademark application status
• Easy-to-read updates on your trademark registration status
• Copies of all official documents uploaded directly to your User Center
• Deadline tracking and reminders to help you manage filing requirements

With our system, you can always check trademark application status in one place—without navigating government databases.

Due Diligence and USPTO Requirements

The USPTO expects applicants and registrants to exercise due diligence. That means:

• Checking the status of your trademark regularly
• Following up promptly if something looks wrong
• Responding quickly to office actions or notices

Failure to monitor your trademark status may result in abandonment, cancellation, or denial of petitions to reinstate.

A tracking service can help organise updates and reminders. Keep your contact details current and respond promptly to requests from the USPTO or your attorney.

How Do I Check a Trademark Status the Easy Way?

If you are filing on your own, you can always check trade mark application status using the USPTO’s TSDR system with your trademark application number. However, if you want a simpler process, TrademarkFactory® offers a seamless solution.

If you filed through TrademarkFactory®, use your User Center for the updates available for your matter and contact your team if something is unclear.

TrademarkFactory® makes trademark protection stress-free. File with us, and our trademark tracking system will keep you updated on your U.S. trademark application status and trademark registration status every step of the way. Schedule a free consultation now!

FAQ:

1. How do I check my trademark status?

You can check your trademark status using the USPTO’s Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system by entering your trademark application number or registration number. Alternatively, if you filed through TrademarkFactory®, you can track your application instantly in your User Center.

2. What is a USPTO trademark application status?

The USPTO trademark application status indicates where your mark is in the registration process, from initial examination to official registration. Common statuses include Under Examination, Office Action Issued, Published for Opposition, Notice of Allowance, Abandoned, and Registered.

3. How can I perform a trademark status check?

To perform a trademark status check, use TSDR with your serial or registration number. You can view documents, deadlines, and the current status of your mark. Filing through TrademarkFactory® allows you to perform the same check directly in your User Center, with automated notifications for updates.

4. How often should I check my trademark application status?

The USPTO recommends checking your trademark application status every 3–4 months until your registration is complete. After filing maintenance documents, such as a Section 8 or Section 9 affidavit, you should continue checking periodically until acceptance is confirmed.

5. Can I check the status of an international trademark?

Yes. TSDR also provides information about international filings under the Madrid system through the United States. TrademarkFactory® can help track both U.S. and international trademarks within your User Center.

6. What happens if I miss a USPTO deadline?

Missing a deadline can result in abandonment of your trademark application or cancellation of your registration. Certain deadlines cannot be extended. With TrademarkFactory®, our trademark tracking system sends reminders so you don’t miss critical deadlines.

7. How do I find trademark status using the USPTO system?

Use your trademark application number or registration number in TSDR. Select “Status” to view your mark’s progress, or “Documents” to access filings and correspondence. TrademarkFactory® simplifies this process with our User Center, allowing you to check your trademark status without navigating USPTO systems.

8. Can I check the status of a phrase I want to trademark?

Use USPTO Trademark Search to look for existing applications and registrations involving the phrase or similar wording. Use TSDR when you need the status and documents of a specific US application or registration. A phrase search does not establish that the phrase is available to use or register.

9. What is trademark tracking and why is it important?

Trademark application tracking means checking the progress of a filing and keeping track of required actions. It helps you manage deadlines, but does not guarantee that an application will register or that a registration will remain active.

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