USPTO Begins New Trademark Serial Number Series July 18

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced that applications filed under sections 1 or 44 of the Trademark Act will receive new eight-digit serial numbers starting with 50 beginning July 18, 2026. The change applies to new filings and maintains the existing priority determination based on filing date and time.

Special series such as the 79 series for Madrid Protocol filings remain unchanged. Applicants should continue using current processes until the transition takes effect.

The update aims to support ongoing system management at the USPTO. No impact on examination timelines or substantive review is expected from the numbering shift.

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/uspto.gov/posts/a-change-is-coming-to-trademark-application-serial-numbersstarting-july-18-2026-/1432205592278578/ https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/tmlaw.pdf