If you've submitted a request to the USPTO's Certification Branch recently, you already know the wait has been significant. Processing times have stretched well beyond what most filers are used to, and for those of us who rely on certified copies for international filings and legalizations, it's been a real challenge to manage client expectations and meet foreign filing deadlines.
We recently spoke directly with a supervisor at the USPTO's Certification Branch to get a clearer picture of where things stand and what we can expect going forward. Here's what we learned.
Where Things Stand Right Now
As of late May 2026, the Certification Branch is processing requests in approximately 90 days. That's a far cry from where processing times used to be, and it's a timeline that can create serious complications for patent and trademark filings abroad — particularly in jurisdictions with strict deadlines for submitting priority documents or legalized assignments.
For context, the Certification Branch's historical processing goal was 7 business days. The current 90-day turnaround represents a significant backlog, and it's something the office is well aware of and actively working to address.
What the USPTO Is Doing About It
The good news is that the Certification Branch isn't standing still. They've already taken concrete steps to rebuild capacity and bring processing times back down:
- Three new employees have been hired and are currently in training. These additions to the team are a direct response to the backlog and will begin contributing to output as they come up to speed.
- Three more hires are planned within the coming weeks. Once fully staffed and trained, this will effectively double the recent additions to the team.
- The stated goal is to return processing times to the original target of 7 business days.
It's worth noting that these improvements won't happen overnight. New employees need to be fully trained and brought up to speed on the Certification Branch's specific processes before they're handling requests independently. But the hiring is underway, and the commitment to reducing the backlog is clear.
Realistic Timeline for Improvement
Based on our conversation, we'd expect to start seeing meaningful improvement in processing times within the next 6 to 12 months. The ramp-up period for new staff, combined with the existing backlog that needs to be worked through, means this will be a gradual recovery rather than an immediate fix.
That said, even incremental improvements — moving from 90 days to 60, then 30 — will make a real difference for filers who are currently building three-month delays into their legalization timelines.
What This Means for You
In the meantime, if you have upcoming filings that require certified copies from the USPTO, here's our advice:
- Plan ahead. With 90-day processing times still in effect, submit your certification requests as early as possible. Don't wait until a foreign filing deadline is looming.
- Communicate with your foreign associates. Let them know about the current delays so they can request extensions or adjust timelines on their end where possible.
We'll Keep You Updated
We'll continue to monitor the situation at the Certification Branch and provide updates as processing times change. In the meantime, if you need certified copies or have questions about how current delays might affect your filings, don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We're here to help you navigate the process and keep your international filings on track.