A provisional patent costs $65 to $325 to file
A provisional patent application holds your filing date for 12 months while you get ready for a full application. The USPTO fee is $325 regular, $130 for a small entity and $65 for a micro entity. There is no search or examination fee.
Provisional application fees (regular / small / micro)
| Provisional filing fee | $325 regular / $130 small / $65 micro |
|---|---|
| Each extra 50 sheets over 100 | $450 regular / $180 small / $90 micro |
| Late filing fee or cover sheet surcharge | $65 regular / $26 small / $13 micro |
| Processing fee for provisional applications | $54 |
| Provisional, then full utility filing (regular) | $2,325 |
|---|---|
| Provisional, then full utility filing (micro) | $465 |
A provisional application is never examined and expires after 12 months. To keep the date, you must file a full application within that time. Source: USPTO fee schedule, effective January 19, 2025, last revised August 14, 2026.
What this price covers
Many inventors file a provisional first because it is cheap and lets them say patent pending while they test the market.
What changes your price
- Your fee level. Small entities pay 40 percent of the regular fee and micro entities pay 20 percent, if they qualify.
- Length. Every 50 sheets over 100 adds a size fee.
Ways to pay less
- Include a complete description. The provisional only protects what it describes.
- Set a reminder for month 11 to file the full application.
How we got these numbers
Every fee on this page comes from the USPTO fee schedule. Each fee has three levels: the regular fee, the small entity fee and the micro entity fee. Small and micro entity status have their own rules, set out in 37 CFR 1.27 and 1.29. The USPTO says a false small or micro entity claim can bring a penalty of at least three times the fee that was not paid. Where we show a total, we only add up the USPTO's own fees. We do not add our own guesses, and patent attorney or agent fees are not included. We last checked the schedule on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
How much is a provisional patent?
$325 regular, $130 small entity, $65 micro entity.
How long does a provisional last?
12 months.