One of the first questions inventors ask is: “How much does it cost to get a patent?”
The total investment depends on the type of patent, the complexity of your invention, and how the USPTO examination proceeds. Below is a transparent breakdown of every cost you should be aware of.
1. USPTO Filing Fees
USPTO fees depend on your entity status:
Micro-Entity: 80% discount
Small Entity: 60% discount
Large Entity: full fee
Utility Non-Provisional Application (Micro-Entity Fees)
Filing Fee: $70
Search Fee: $154
Examination Fee: $176
Total Initial USPTO Fees: $400
- Issue Fee: $258
Provisional Application
Micro-entity filing fee: $65
No search or examination fees.
Design Patent
Filing Fee: $60
- Search fee: $60
- Exam fee: $140
- Total Initial USPTO Fees: $260
Issue fee: $260
Additional USPTO fees that may apply:
Excess claims fees
Time extension fees
IDS fees (rare for micro-entity)
Maintenance fees after patent grant
Click here to view current filing fees on the USPTO website.
2. Patent Attorney / Agent Fees
Patent preparation fees vary significantly between firms. Below is a realistic comparison of typical industry pricing versus Legacy Patents’ flat fees.
Typical Industry Fees (Other Firms)
Provisional Applications:
Simple mechanical: $1,000 – $2,500
Moderately complex: $2,500 – $4,000
Complex hardware/software: $4,000 – $6,000+
Non-Provisional Utility Applications:
Simple mechanical: $4,000 – $7,000
Moderately complex: $7,000 – $10,000
Complex software/electronics/AI: $10,000 – $20,000+
Design Patent Applications:
Typical range: $2,000 – $3,500
These ranges often vary due to hourly billing, tiered rates, and complexity increases. These prices also do not typically include professional patent drawings.
Legacy Patents Flat Fees (Transparent & Predictable)
At Legacy Patents, fees are flat-rate – no hourly surprises and no add-on charges for routine communication.
Provisional Application: $1,200 flat
Non-Provisional Utility Application: Starting from $4,200 flat (including up to 5 professional patent drawings)
Design Patent Application: $2,300 flat (including up to 7 professional patent drawings)
4. Prosecution & Examination Costs
Once the USPTO begins examining your utility application, you may incur additional fees during prosecution.
Office Action Responses
Simple argument/amendment: $800–$1,500
Complex responses (102/103/112): $1,500–$3,500+
Cases with multiple Office Actions will incur additional work.
Examiner Interviews
Often included in the response, or
Separately: $300–$600
5. Total Typical Cost to Get a Patent
Here is a realistic all-in estimate for most inventors:
Utility Patent
Total (micro-entity): $7,000 – $20,000+
Depends on complexity + number of Office Actions.
Design Patent
Total (micro-entity): ~$1,500 – $3,000
Provisional Application
Total: $1,000 – $5,000
Cost varies based on drafting quality and level of technical detail.
Ready to move ahead? Contact us at (480) 253-9888, admin@legacypatents.com or click the link below, and we will help guide you!
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