How Long Does It Take to Get a Patent?

Getting a patent approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can be a lengthy process, with an average wait time of 24 months. The exact timeline for obtaining a patent depends on the type of patent you are applying for and the complexity of your invention. The first response from the USPTO is known as an “Office Action”. After responding to this action, you can expect to wait at least three years from the date of your initial application to receive your patent.

For a design patent, the short answer is between one and two years from the date of filing. For a utility patent, it is between one and five years from the date of filing. However, the average time it takes to obtain a patent is 22 to 30 months from the date you file your patent application.