Can a Non-U.S. Resident Register a U.S. Trademark?
Yes — with one important requirement to understand first.
Yes. Individuals and businesses located anywhere in the world can generally apply for a U.S. federal trademark, subject to USPTO requirements. Nationality or residency is not, by itself, a barrier to filing.
The one rule that matters most
If you are domiciled outside the United States or its territories, USPTO rules generally require that you be represented by a U.S.-licensed attorney for your filing and any correspondence with the USPTO. This is true whether you're an individual freelancer, a small business, or a large company.
What "domicile" actually means
Domicile refers to where you permanently reside (for individuals) or where your business's principal place of business is located (for companies) — not simply where you hold a mailing address, a registered agent, an EIN, or a bank account. None of those things, by themselves, make you U.S.-domiciled for USPTO purposes.
What you don't need
- A U.S. citizenship or green card
- A U.S. LLC or corporation (though you can use one if you have one)
- A U.S. physical address, in most cases
- Prior sales history in the United States, if filing on an intent-to-use basis
What you do need
- A clear description of your trademark and the goods/services it covers
- Accurate information about your domicile
- Representation by a U.S.-licensed attorney, arranged either directly or through a filing service provider like us
- Payment of the USPTO's government filing fee
We're a filing service provider, not a law firm — we help you prepare your application and coordinate the required attorney representation. Read our full foreign-applicant guide for details.