USPTO Identity Verification Guide for Trademark Filers

If you plan to file a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you’ll need a verified USPTO.gov account. This identity verification step helps protect your trademark, your business, and the USPTO system from scams and unauthorized activity. Here’s what you need to know to get verified—before your filing deadline.

Why Identity Verification Matters for Trademark Filers

In recent years, fraudulent trademark filings have increased, targeting brand owners and entrepreneurs. To counter this, the USPTO requires all trademark system users to verify their identities. This extra step ensures that only authorized individuals can submit or manage trademark filings.

If you fail to complete this process, you won’t be able to access the USPTO’s trademark filing systems. Missing your filing deadline because of an unverified account can mean losing your priority date or even your chance to register your mark—deadlines are set by law, and the USPTO can’t make exceptions.

Stay in Control of Your USPTO Account

Only create and verify your own USPTO.gov account. Never verify an account someone else created for you. If anyone offers to set one up on your behalf, refuse immediately.

Allowing others to create your account puts you at risk of losing control over your filings and sensitive business information. They could continue using the account in your name to gain unauthorized access to USPTO systems.

If your trademark is being handled by a U.S.-licensed attorney, you currently don’t need to verify your identity to sign forms your attorney sends. However, you will need verification if you end your attorney relationship or appoint a new one.

Your USPTO Identity Verification Options

The USPTO offers two main ways to verify your identity online through ID.me:

Self-Service Verification – Quickest option (usually under 15 minutes). Requires biometric data in the form of a selfie.
Video Chat Agent – No selfie required. Involves a live video call with an ID.me representative.

You can also complete verification through a paper process, but online verification is faster and more convenient.

What You’ll Need

Before starting, make sure you have:

A USPTO.gov account
A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and internet connection
A government-issued photo ID that exactly matches the name on your USPTO.gov account (names will be updated to match your ID if different)

ID.me will also request:

Your Social Security number (to prevent duplicate accounts)
Permission to access your credit profile header information (name, address history, phone number—no credit check or score impact)

If using the self-service option, you’ll also submit a selfie for identity matching.

How to Verify Your USPTO Account Online

Log in to your USPTO.gov account or create one.
Access the Trademark account ID verification page through any trademark form link.
Select your user role.
Click Verify with ID.me and follow the prompts to choose self-service or video chat.

Self-Service Option (Fastest)

Take a selfie with your phone or webcam. ID.me has instructions about how to take a selfie using a webcam.
Upload images of your government-issued photo ID.
Provide your Social Security number and allow credit profile header access.

If the system can’t verify you automatically (for example, due to unclear photos), you’ll be prompted to switch to a short video chat session to show your physical documents.

Video Chat Agent Option (No Selfie Required)

Upload two primary IDs or one primary plus two secondary IDs.
Provide your Social Security number and allow credit profile header access.
Join a live video call with an ID.me agent to verify your documents.
Once approved, you’ll get instructions to share your verification status with the USPTO.

Important Privacy Notes

The USPTO only receives your name from ID.me, and you don’t need to keep your ID.me account after verification unless you want to make certain changes to your USPTO.gov account, like updating your legal name. If you use the self-service option, your selfie is matched to your photo ID using facial recognition and deleted within 24 hours.

The Link Between Identity Verification & Comprehensive Trademark Research

While identity verification is about security, comprehensive trademark research is about protection. Before you file, it’s essential to search federal trademark, state trademark, and common law databases for marks that sound, look, or mean something similar to yours—and that are used with the same or related goods and services. Without this step, you could face refusals, costly disputes, or rebranding.

Completing both—identity verification and thorough trademark research—ensures your application can be filed smoothly and stands the best chance of approval.

Conclusion

USPTO identity verification is now a mandatory step for most trademark filers. The process is straightforward if you prepare your documents ahead of time and complete it before your deadline. Pair this with comprehensive trademark research, and you’ll be well on your way to protecting your brand.

Before you verify and file, make sure your trademark is available. TradeMark Express provides comprehensive trademark searches across federal, state, and common law databases to identify potential conflicts before you invest in filing. Contact us today to get started.

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Shannon Moore