Identity verification for trademark filers

Identity verification helps us deter bad actors who make fraudulent trademark filings and scam our customers. It’s part of our ongoing initiative to strengthen the security of our trademark filing process and protect the integrity of the U.S. trademark register.

In 2019, we began requiring anyone accessing TEAS or TEASi to be logged in to a USPTO.gov account. Identity verification builds on that requirement by ensuring that account holders are who they say they are. It also lays the groundwork for future enhancements that will allow verified account holders to control and delegate access to their filings and prevent unauthorized changes.

The USPTO offers three different methods for stakeholders to verify their identities: two online through ID.me and one through our traditional paper verification process.

You must verify your identity if you are a:

• Trademark owner or corporate officer not represented by an attorney
• U.S.-licensed attorney, including in-house counsel
• Canadian attorney or agent

You must be sponsored by a verified attorney if you are:  

• A paralegal
• Other support staff working for an attorney

If you are a paralegal or support staff, you can’t use the online or paper verification processes. Instead, your sponsoring attorney must verify your identity. You must have a USPTO.gov account before you can be sponsored. See the sponsorship section for more information.

Who doesn’t need to verify their identity?

In general, if you need to file or edit data in TEAS or TEASi forms, you must be logged in to an ID-verified USPTO.gov account. There are, however, some situations where verification is not required:

• If the USPTO has previously verified your identity through the patent application process, you don’t need to verify again, but you may need to select a trademark user role if we’re unable to automatically determine it. See the instructions for patent-proofed customers in the common questions section below.
• If you are a trademark owner represented by an attorney, you currently do not need to verify your identity to electronically sign forms that your attorney sends for your signature. You will, however, need to verify your identity to file once attorney representation ends.

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Mandatory trademark identity verification

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Mandatory trademark identity verification

As part of the verification process, you'll choose a user role associated with your USPTO.gov account. Your user role tells us how you use our filing system and what verification options you need. Read the trademark user roles page for detailed information on selecting the right role for your filing situation. You can also watch the recording of our webinar on user roles.

The following user roles are available:

• A trademark owner can file anything they need to on their own applications and registrations if they are unrepresented, or they can appoint an attorney to handle these matters for them.
• A U.S.-licensed attorney can file all documents for their clients and can also sponsor support staff and paralegals to work under their supervision.
• A Canadian attorney/agent can file certain, permitted documents for their clients and can also sponsor support staff and paralegals to work under their supervision.
• Attorney support staff can assist with filing documents for clients, but must be sponsored by a verified attorney to do so.

The paper verification form must be notarized before mailing to the USPTO. Review the instructions for completing the paper verification form and follow these main steps:

1. Create a USPTO.gov account if you haven't already
2. Download and complete the paper ID verification form
3. Present two forms of government identification to a notary public
4. Mail the original, notarized form (no faxes or copies) to:

Mail Stop EBC
Commissioner for Trademarks
P.O. Box 1451
Alexandria, VA 22313-1451

Expect two to three weeks processing time. We recommend not waiting until after the deadline to verify by paper, as it will delay your ability to file electronically.

The name listed on your USPTO.gov account must be identical to the one submitted on the paper ID verification form. Processing will be delayed if the names don’t match exactly, and you’ll be asked to modify your USPTO.gov account name to match the name on the verification form.

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Using ID.me to verify your identity as a trademark filer

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Using ID.me to verify your identity as a trademark filer

Two options for verifying your identity online

If you choose the online verification method, you have two options for verifying your identity: 

• Self-service (requires biometric data in the form of a selfie)
• Video Chat Agent (does not require a selfie)

Both options require you to create an account with ID.me if you don’t already have one. If you have an existing ID.me account, you must use that.

What you'll need to complete the process

In addition to a USPTO.gov account, you'll need:

• A camera-equipped smartphone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection. 
• A government-issued photo ID with the name identical to the name on your USPTO.gov account. If they don’t match, the name on your USPTO.gov account will be automatically updated to match your ID. See the step-by-step instructions on verifying with a driver's license or state ID or verifying with a passport. If you select the Video Chat Agent option, you’ll need to provide additional identification documents. 

ID.me will ask you for the following information, which will not be shared with the USPTO or anyone else:

• Your Social Security number, which ensures your account can’t be duplicated.
• Permission to access your credit profile header information, which includes data such as your name, address history, and phone number. It does not involve checking your credit and has no impact on your credit score or rating. 

Additionally, if you select the self-service option, you'll provide biometric data in the form of a selfie.  

Getting started with online verification

To complete the ID verification process, follow these basic instructions:

1. Log in to your USPTO.gov account or create one now if you haven't already
2. Go to the Trademark account ID verification page by selecting any TEAS form link
3. Choose your user role
4. Select “Verify with ID.me” and follow the prompts on ID.me and choose either the self-service option or Video Chat Agent option

After you successfully complete online verification with ID.me, you may need to do any or all of the following before you can access TEAS forms: 

• Turn off pop-up blockers on USPTO.gov
• Log out of your USPTO.gov account and clear your browser cache and cookies
• Close and restart your browser. Log back into USPTO.gov.

Self-service option

This option typically takes less than 15 minutes. To complete, you will:

1. Take a selfie with your smartphone or computer. If using a webcam-equipped computer, please review ID.me's instructions for taking a selfie using a webcam.
2. Take a photo or upload images of your government-issued photo ID.
3. Provide your Social Security number and permit ID.me access to your credit profile header information to confirm you are who you say you are. This does not affect your credit rating.

In the event that ID.me can't automatically verify your identity with the information you provide—for example, if your selfie or photo of government ID is blurry—you'll be prompted to continue in a short video chat session where you will be required to show your physical documents. After the session, you'll receive an email with instructions on how to share your verification status with the USPTO. You must follow the instructions to complete the identity verification process and maintain access to our filing system.

Video Chat Agent option

This option does not require biometric data or use facial recognition technology. You will instead verify your identity in a live video chat with an ID.me representative. The time to complete the verification depends on the volume of customers and estimated wait times will be displayed.

To complete, you will:

1. Upload two primary forms of IDs or one primary and two secondary IDs.
2. Provide your Social Security number and permit access to your credit profile to confirm you are who you say you are. This does not affect your credit rating.
3. Once your documents have been reviewed, you will receive an email from ID.me inviting you to join a video call with an ID.me Video Chat Agent. An estimated wait time is displayed on screen for your convenience.
4. The Video Chat Agent will ask you a few questions and have you hold up your IDs to the camera so the Agent can verify your identity. Video sessions are recorded for security purposes and will be deleted within 30 days.
5. After verification, you’ll receive an email with instructions for sharing your verification status with the USPTO. You must follow the instructions to complete the identity verification process.

ID.me uses your information solely to verify that you are who you say you are and prevent your account from being duplicated by anyone attempting to impersonate you. ID.me uses secure technology and federally compliant information protection practices to safeguard your data. You can view or change your privacy settings online at any time.

Keep in mind: 

• The USPTO does not receive any personally identifiable information from ID.me other than your name. 
• Your ID.me account is only used to verify your identity, and the USPTO does not require you to maintain it after that. However, in the future if you want to change your legal name or make certain changes to your USPTO.gov account, you’ll need an active ID.me account to confirm the changes.
• If you have already verified your identity using ID.me, you can delete your selfie and associated biometric data from your ID.me account at any time.
• If you select the self-service option, you will provide biometric data in the form of a selfie. It will be deleted 24 hours after your ID.me account is created. ID.me matches your selfie to your government-issued photo ID using facial-recognition technology known as 1:1 matching.

The USPTO-specific ID.me page addresses many issues you may encounter during the ID.me process, and the ID.me privacy bill of rights explains how you are in complete control of your data during this process.

The Trademark sponsorship tool allows verified attorneys to sponsor paralegals and support staff to submit and edit documents on their behalf in TEAS and TEASi. Using the sponsorship tool, verified attorneys, paralegals, and support staff can manage their sponsorship requests, view sponsorship history, and more.

Before using the sponsorship tool, attorneys must be verified, and their sponsored paralegals and support staff must have USPTO.gov accounts.

Paralegals and support staff can’t use the online or paper verification processes. Instead, their sponsoring attorney verifies their identity at the time of sponsorship.

For a complete list of sponsorship functions and directions, see the Trademark sponsorship tool guide. For in-depth information on sponsorship verification requirements, see the Trademark Filing System Access Document.

What if I’m not ready to verify yet?

Identity verification is mandatory. You will need a verified USPTO.gov account to file using TEAS or TEASi. Try to verify your account well before any filing deadlines. We can’t make exceptions to statutory filing deadlines for customers unable to access TEAS or TEASi because their accounts were not verified.

How does my USPTO.gov account work with identity verification?

A USPTO.gov account is required to access TEAS and TEASi. When you create a USPTO.gov account, you provide your name and primary email address. After verification, the name field is locked and your account is authorized. This helps the USPTO ensure that a person using the trademark system to enter information or make changes is authorized to do so.

Will the name and postal address in my verified USPTO.gov account appear in my TEAS or TEASi filings?

No. The name and postal address in your account is used only for validation purposes. It will not automatically appear on any form or on any filing that is available to the public. The information that appears publicly is the information that you submit in the TEAS or TEASi form.

What if I need to change my verified name, email address, or user role?

After your identity is verified, you won't be able to change certain details in your account without making a request. Email TEAS@uspto.gov for instructions on making changes to the following details in your USPTO.gov account:

• Account email address
• Verified name
• User role

When emailing us, please provide your current USPTO.gov account email address, name, and user role to help speed up the request.

Am I required to use my verified name when filing trademark documents?

No. The name on your account does not need to exactly match the name that you use when filing, as long as both names are truthful and meet our other signature requirements. We understand that many people experience issues updating their records after a name change. We also understand that many people use nicknames, middle names, or other names professionally. If, however, the name on a filing doesn’t seem to identify the same person named in the account, we may inquire about it.

Can I use a company account?

No. Each USPTO.gov account must correspond to a single person. Company accounts are not currently allowed, and will continue to be disallowed for identity verification purposes. You won’t be able to verify an account that has a company, firm, or other entity name in the account holder name fields.

Can I share my account with others?

No. Account sharing is not permitted under the Terms of Use for USPTO websites. However, if you are an attorney and need legal support staff to work on your behalf, you may sponsor them using the Trademark sponsorship tool.

Can I have duplicate accounts, such as one for myself and one for work?

Each individual person may only have one trademark verified account used to access trademark filing systems. This prevents bad actors from abusing our filing systems and scamming our customers. When filing, you may still enter your alternative contact information into the record. It doesn't need to be the same that is associated with your verified USPTO.gov account.

Can I use a separate account to pay for filings? 

You may have only one trademark verified USPTO.gov account, and you must remain logged into that same account to enter your fee payment information during filing. It is currently not possible to pay for a filing from an unverified USPTO.gov account. However, to help manage your payments, you may do any of the following: 

• Create and add multiple USPTO deposit accounts to Financial Manager in your trademark verified USPTO.gov account 
• Contact the administrator of an existing deposit account and request that your trademark verified USPTO.gov account email address be added as an authorized user for it 
• Use the “pay as a guest” feature to make a payment using a credit card that is not associated with your Financial Manager 

I already verified my identity for patent filing purposes. Now what?

If you’ve previously verified your identity as a patent-proofed practitioner or patent-proofed independent inventor in order to access the patent filing systems EFS-Web and Patent Center, you do not need to verify your identity again to access TEAS or TEASi. Follow these steps to confirm your trademark verified status:

1. Log into your USPTO.gov account that you've previously verified as a Patent customer.
2. Go to the Trademark account ID verification page.
3. Under "ID verification options," you'll see a message indicating you have already been verified as a Patent customer. If you don't see this, you are not logged in with a patent-proofed account.
4. Below, select the appropriate trademark user role and continue.
5. Your account will be automatically updated.

Remember to log in with your patent-proofed USPTO.gov account. If you created a new account or logged in with any different account, you will be asked to verify your identity. Patent customers who are currently sponsored as Proofed Practitioner Support will need to be separately sponsored as Attorney Support Staff in the trademark system by a verified attorney using the Trademark sponsorship tool before they can access TEAS and TEASi.  

How long will it take to verify my identity using the paper verification form?

We anticipate an initial processing time of two to three weeks after we receive your paper form. To ensure there are no additional delays, review the instructions for completing the paper verification form. Once identity verification becomes mandatory, you must wait until your paper form is processed before you can access TEAS or TEASi. If you’re facing any deadlines, consider using the online verification method instead.

How will I know when processing is complete?

We’ll send a confirmation to your USPTO.gov account’s primary email address when your paper form verification is complete. We’ll also notify you if there is any issue that requires further attention. Unfortunately we can’t offer detailed tracking information or expedited service at this time.

Who can notarize the paper form in the United States?

Notaries commissioned by and operating in any state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia can notarize documents in person. Remote online notarization is not permitted at this time.

I’m having issues with my ID.me account setup or completing the ID.me verification process.

Check the USPTO & ID.me help page for general questions about the verification process. If you’re still having issues setting up your account or completing the verification process, you can submit a request for support to ID.me. The USPTO will work with ID.me customer service to make sure our trademark customers’ identity verification problems are resolved.

I completed verification with ID.me, but I still can't access TEAS forms.

If you successfully completed verification with ID.me, but you are returned to the identity verification page in TEAS and can’t access TEAS forms, you may be experiencing a known technical issue. Please do the following:

• Turn off pop-up blockers on USPTO.gov
• Log out of your USPTO.gov account and clear your browser cache and cookies
• Close and restart your browser. Log back into USPTO.gov.

If you’re still unable to access TEAS forms after this, email TEAS@uspto.gov and indicate that you are experiencing the “verification loop problem.” To speed up the request, include the name and email address associated with your USPTO.gov account.

What time of day can I access online verification?

You can verify your identity online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you can’t complete the automated verification process and are routed to a video call with an ID.me Video Chat Agent, there may be a wait time depending on call volume.

What standards does the online verification process follow?

The online verification process uses ID.me, which meets NIST’s 800-63-3 guidelines for Identity Assurance Level 2.

What is my user role?

Read the trademark user roles page for detailed information about selecting the right role for your filing situation.

How do I get sponsored?

After your supervising attorney verifies their own identity, they can use the Trademark sponsorship tool to sponsor you. You must have a USPTO.gov account and provide your sponsoring attorney with the email address associated with it. Your supervising attorney can then sponsor you in less than a minute. Ensure that the name in your USPTO.gov account is up-to-date and accurate or your supervising attorney may not be able to sponsor you.

Should all the attorneys I work with sponsor me, or is just one enough?

All verified attorneys who are supervising your work must sponsor you because they are responsible for your work. Though you will be able to access TEAS or TEASi after just one attorney sponsors you, if that attorney withdraws their sponsorship, you’ll lose access to TEAS or TEASi and be unable to work on behalf of other attorneys until they sponsor you.

How do I use the Trademark sponsorship tool?

Only verified attorneys and their support staff can use the Trademark sponsorship tool. Attorney support staff will not be able to access it until at least one attorney has verified their identity by sponsoring them. After verification, you can view and manage your sponsorships in the tool. Consult the Trademark sponsorship tool guide for detailed information and examples.

How can I get help with my USPTO.gov account or verifying my account using any method other than ID.me?

Send any questions by email to TEAS@uspto.gov.

How can I get help with ID.me?

If you’re having issues specific to the ID.me verification process and require assistance, you may be able to solve the problem by video conferencing with an ID.me Video Chat Agent. If that doesn’t work, please open an ID.me support ticket using the following steps: 

1. Visit the ID.me help page
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Submit a request”
3. Provide the email address that you used to register with Id.me
4. From the “How can we help you?” dropdown, select “I Need Help Getting Verified”
5. Select “United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)” in the “What verification are you completing?” dropdown
6. Add a description of the issue you’re running into. You can attach files, such as screenshots of any error messages
7. Submit your request

An ID.me Member Support Representative will reach out to you via email to help you resolve your issue. If you do not hear back from ID.me in 24 hours, please email them again and notify the USPTO.