Patent renewal fees in the United States: costs, due dates and grace period
You pay patent renewals in the United States to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, in USD, up to year 20. You pay nothing until the office grants your patent. Miss a due date and you get a 6-month grace period, with a surcharge set by your entity size.
What are the patent renewal due dates in the United States?
United States counts annuities from the grant date, and the amount depends on which patent year you are entering. You pay nothing while the application is still pending.
The first renewal falls due 42 months after the grant date, payable to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
For example, if the grant date is 2022-01-20, then the first annuity must be paid by 2025-07-20.
Renewals in the United States are not annual. Two more maintenance fees follow the first, each due four years after the one before it, and nothing is payable in the years between.
For example, if the first annuity was paid due on 2025-07-20, then the subsequent renewal will be due on 2029-07-20.
Official patent renewal fees by year in the United States
Official fees payable to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, by patent year, in USD.
| Year | Official fee (USD) | Small entity (USD) | Micro entity (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2,150 | 860 | 430 |
| 7 | 4,040 | 1,616 | 808 |
| 11 | 8,280 | 3,312 | 1,656 |
| Full term · years 3–11 | 14,470 | 5,788 | 2,894 |
In the United States, the renewal fee will vary depending on the entity size of the applicant. The smaller the entity, the lower the renewal fee. The different entity sizes and the fee schedule for all entity sizes can be found on this page.
Save up to 50% on your patent renewals
The official fees are fixed. What your provider adds on top is not. Send your email and we'll show you what these renewals should really cost.
Missed a patent renewal deadline in the United States?
A six-month grace period runs from the day after the due date. You can still pay the renewal fee with a surcharge set by your entity size, and the patent continues without interruption. Once the grace period closes, the patent lapses.
If you miss a renewal due date of 31 March 2026, the patent enters the grace period on 1 April 2026. Settle the renewal fee and the surcharge by 30 September 2026 to keep the patent in force.
Patent renewal fees in other jurisdictions
The same schedule, deadlines and grace rules, in the jurisdictions we are asked about most.
Looking for a different jurisdiction?
Patents, trademarks and designs in other countries and regions.
Other IP renewals in United States
Patents aren't the only rights that lapse without renewal. United States also protects trademarks and designs. Each on its own schedule and fee scale.
Trademarks
Renewal deadlines, grace periods and official fees for trademark registrations in United States.
Designs
1. What do I pay while the application is pending?
Nothing. You pay no annuities in the United States while your application is pending. Payments start once the office grants your patent.
2. When can I pay the renewal fee?
Up to 6 months before the due date, and no earlier. Send it earlier and the office rejects the payment.
3. Can I renew a patent after missing a due date?
Yes. You get a 6-month grace period, starting the day after you miss the due date. Pay the renewal fee plus a surcharge inside that window and your patent stays in force. Your entity size sets the amount. Miss the window too and the patent lapses.
4. How long does a patent last?
Up to 20 years from the filing date, as long as you pay every annuity on time. Stop paying and it lapses at the end of the grace period that follows the last due date.
Patent renewal FAQ
Enter the new era of IP renewals
.avif)