IPNITE PATENT GUIDE
How Much Does a Provisional Patent Application Cost?
The official filing fee is usually the smallest part of the cost. What you really pay for is a disclosure strong enough to support your future claims.
IPniteThe components of the cost
- Official filing fee, which in the United States depends on entity size (large, small, or micro entity)
- Prior-art search to understand what is truly new
- Drafting of the description, examples, and optional claims
- Drawings or figures
- Professional review, if you choose it
Official fees
USPTO fees change periodically and are reduced for small and micro entities. Check the current fee schedule before filing. In Mexico, IMPI publishes its own fees for the new provisional application.
Why the cheapest provisional can be the most expensive
A provisional only protects what it describes. A rushed, thin filing may cost little today but leave the complete application without support for its claims, forcing you to rely on a later date. The money is best spent on a complete description with variants and figures.
Where IPnite fits
IPnite combines prior-art search, drafting, drawings, and QA in one subscription, starting with the Inventor plan. You can file the result yourself or send it for review, which usually shortens the professional's time and cost.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file a provisional myself?
Yes. Inventors can file directly with the USPTO. Make sure the disclosure is complete, since the provisional is not examined and errors are not flagged.
Get your application ready to file
Explore a Search Strategy Preview or Draft Preview with your own invention. The 7-day free trial does not include a complete search or a final refined, exportable application. No credit card and no automatic charges.
Try IPnite free