USPTO Approves New Madrid E-Filing System for Trademarks
Published Date: 7/15/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting July 31, 2026, U.S. trademark applicants can use the new Madrid e-Filing system to submit international trademark applications and fix issues faster. This system, run by WIPO and approved by the USPTO, makes filing smoother and lets the USPTO communicate directly with applicants to help correct problems. If you file trademarks internationally, get ready for a quicker, easier process—no extra fees announced yet!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Madrid e‑Filing launches July 31, 2026
Starting July 31, 2026 you can file U.S. office of origin international trademark applications and responses using WIPO's Madrid e‑Filing system. The USPTO says Madrid e‑Filing will let the USPTO communicate directly with applicants and make filing and fixes faster.
Informal correction emails to avoid denials
For applications filed through Madrid e‑Filing, the USPTO's Madrid Processing Unit (MPU) may send an informal communication by email that unlocks the application so you can correct deficiencies. If the informal communication issues, you generally get two weeks to correct the application (or the remaining time before the blackout period if less than two weeks).
TEAS filing ends by September 2026
The USPTO's TEAS Application for International Registration form will remain available until at least September 2026; after that, Madrid e‑Filing becomes the sole platform for filing U.S. office of origin international applications. TEAS Response to a Notice of Irregularity will remain available until all TEAS-filed international applications reach final disposition.
You must use WIPO account and pay in CHF
To use Madrid e‑Filing you must create a WIPO Account. International application payments will be processed in Swiss francs (CHF) and can be paid by WIPO Current Account, certain credit/debit cards, E‑Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Alipay), or PayPal. The USPTO certification fee will be the U.S. dollar equivalent of the USPTO fee schedule based on the exchange rate at the time of payment.
Refund and nonrefundable fee rules
If certification is denied, international application fees paid by credit card, E‑Wallet, or PayPal require you to contact WIPO to initiate a refund; if paid via a WIPO Current Account the international fees were only authorized and no refund will be due. The USPTO certification fee will not be refunded regardless of payment method.
Where filings and notices are viewable
Documents filed through Madrid e‑Filing (including irregularity notices) will be viewable only in Madrid e‑Filing; the USPTO's public TSDR database will show only the USPTO Reference Number and filing date. Irregularity notices from WIPO will not be viewable in TSDR.
Subsequent designation fees and filing options
For subsequent designations, you can submit through the USPTO using TEAS/Trademark Center (scheduled to move into Trademark Center in 2027) and pay the U.S. transmittal fee, or you can file the subsequent designation directly with WIPO (no U.S. transmittal fee).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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