How to Register

Read on for more information on the registration process – including registration criteria, application options, forms and fees, as well as our service commitment.

Here is a quick example of the registration process. Your registration process may vary, depending on your application requirements or if there are opposition proceedings.

IPOS offers various acceleration programmes to help applicants speed up the registration process. One of these programmes is the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH), where applicants can accelerate the examination of their IPOS patent application by relying on the examination results issued by one of our 30 PPH and Global PPH partners, including the patent offices of China, Japan, Korea, United States and the European Patent Office. Find out more here registering_patent

The details of each stage of the registration process can be found below.

Step 1: Check Registration Criteria for a Patent

Before applying to register your patent, you should check if your patent fulfils the registration criteria. Here are four quick questions to guide you on determining the registrability of your patent:

a. Is Your Invention Patentable?

For an invention to be patentable, it must, in general, satisfy three key criteria:

New – The invention should not be publicly known in any way, anywhere in the world. Owners of inventions should be careful to keep the invention secret until a patent application has been successfully made. If the idea has already been talked about, commercially exploited, advertised or demonstrated, then the novelty of the invention may be compromised.
Inventive step – The invention must be an improvement over any existing product or process that is already available. The improvement must not be obvious to someone with technical skills or knowledge in the field of the invention.
Industrial application – The invention must be useful and have some form of practical application. It should be capable of being made or used in some form of industry.

A method of treatment of the human or animal body by surgery, therapy or diagnosis practised on the human or animal body is not patentable.

An invention that is generally expected to encourage offensive, immoral or anti-social behaviour will not be published or patentable.

b. Did You Disclose Your Invention to Anyone?

Disclosing your invention may compromise the novelty and affect your patent application.

If your invention needs to be disclosed to a third party before a patent application is made, it is a good idea to draw up a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Disclosure to the invention can be made after a date of filing has been obtained for the application.

c. Did You Check Whether There are Existing Inventions Similar to Yours?

Before you apply for a patent, it is a good idea to run a search on existing patents to see if your invention already exists. You can also avoid scenarios where there might be possible infringement of other patents filed or granted.

You may tap on online databases such as IPOS Digital Hub to search or engage professional services.

d. Are You Entitled to Register for the Patent?

You are entitled to register the patent if you are:

An employer and the invention was made by your employee in his normal course of duties;
A person who has entered into an agreement with the inventor before making the invention, such that you are entitled to the invention; or
The inventor.

Step 2: Apply for a Patent

Before you apply to register a patent, learn more about the different options available.

Registering a Patent in Singapore

Pre-filing Checklist

When applying for patent in Singapore, use this pre-filing checklist:

Determine what countries you intend to file for protection – The scope of patent protection, and the cost of protection, varies from country to country. Generally, protection should be sought in the countries which are your key markets.
Prepare a technical and accurate description of your patent – For your invention to be granted a patent protection that is effective, it is important that your patent applications are technically and legally accurate. This will save you time, money and increase your chance for a favourable patent application. You can consider engaging the services of a registered patent agent to assist with the submission of your patent application. Alternatively, you can refer to the information sheet on requirements for filing patent applications with IPOS.
Ensure your claims are ready – If your claims are not fully ready, you may apply for a Provisional Application to secure an early filing date for your invention. However, as claims are essential in defining the scope of protection sought, it should be furnished within 12 months* to complete the patent application. Failure to do so would result in the patent application being treated as having been abandoned.
Obtain a written authorisation from IPOS – If you are residing in Singapore and plan to apply for a patent outside of Singapore first, you need to obtain a written authorisation from IPOS for national security clearance before doing so. Failure to do so would result in you being liable to a fine and/or imprisonment.

There are two routes of applying for a patent in Singapore – directly with IPOS via domestic route, or through PCT National Phase Entry route.

Registry of Patents Quality Policy

We strive to work effectively with all interested parties to provide quality products and services to the satisfaction of our customers and meet the applicable requirements. We are committed to improving our systems and processes for greater validity, reliability and timeliness of our products and services.

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), Registry of Patents has been ISO certified for the management of national patent search and examination process, and payment.

Registering a Patent Outside of Singapore

Patent protection is territorial in nature. This means that if you wish to protect your patent in another country outside of Singapore, you must also file for patent registration in that country.

To obtain patent protection overseas, you can either:

File individual applications in the countries concerned; or
Use the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT), which facilitates the filing of International Applications.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are a Singapore resident, you are required to obtain written authorisation from IPOS before filing an application for a patent outside of Singapore. This is called a National Security Clearance.

Step 3: Forms & Fees for New Applications

Filing for a Patent in Singapore

Please proceed to our e-services portal, IPOS Digital Hub, to file your forms online. The acceptable modes of payment can be found here.

We will only accept FormSG for forms/requests that are not available for e-filing in IPOS Digital Hub. However, in respect of national security clearance, submissions could be made via IPOS Digital Hub.

If filing via FormSG,

Please provide your email address and Singapore contact number in your submission so that we can provide you with the payment instructions.
Payment shall be made via IPOS Digital Hub's payment platform. You can expect to receive payment instructions via email within 3 working days after we receive your submission.

General Forms

Description	Form
Standard List of Country Codes	Country Codes (85KB) Country Codes (161KB)
Application For Clearance Under S34	Section 34 (157KB) Section 34 (272KB) Submission via FormSG will be available till further notice. You are encouraged to file an application for clearance under S34 via IPOS Digital Hub.
GST Form (wef 1 Apr 2017)	GST (46KB) GST (6KB)

Description

Form

Standard List of Country Codes

Country Codes (85KB)

Country Codes (161KB)

Application For Clearance Under S34

Section 34 (157KB)

Section 34 (272KB)

Submission via FormSG will be available till further notice. You are encouraged to file an application for clearance under S34 via IPOS Digital Hub.

GST Form (wef 1 Apr 2017)

GST (46KB)

GST (6KB)

Patent Forms

Form	Description	Fee
PF1	Request for the Grant of a Patent	S$170
PF2	Reference to Registrar on Determination of Entitlement to Patent Before or After Grant	S$450
NA	Application for Authorisation by Registrar to Carry out Act on Behalf of Person to whom Directions were Given	S$50
NA	Request for Directions on Handling of Dispute Between Joint Applicants	S$450
NA	Reference to Registrar to determine the question of a licence	S$450
PF7	Application to Add and/or Remove Inventors	S$450
PF8	Statement of Inventorship and of Right to Grant of Patent	No fee
PF9	Request for Early Publication	S$50
PF10	Request for Search Report or Supplementary	S$1,735
PF11	Request for Search and Examination Report (a) In a case where the International Search Report/International Preliminary Report has been established by IPOS (for PCT application entering national phase)	S$1,750 plus S$40 for each claim over 20
	(b) In any other case	S$2,050 plus S$40 for each claim over 20
PF11A	Furnishing of Prescribed Details	No Fee
PF11B A request for Patent Prosecution Highway is no longer available via Patents Form 11B. Please disregard Part 7 of the form	Furnishing of Prescribed Information	No Fee
PF11C	Notice of Intention to Rely on International Preliminary Report on Patentability	No Fee
PF12	Request for Examination Report	S$1,420 plus S$40 for each claim over 20
PF12A	Request for Supplementary Examination Report	No Fee
PF12B	Request for an Examination Review Report with the Request to Amend Application Before Grant	S$1,420
PF13	Request to Amend Application Before Grant	No Fee
PF13A	Response to Written Opinion	No Fee
PF14	Payment of Fee for Grant of Patent
	(a) Where the application for a patent is lodged before 14 February 2014 and has a date of filing before 1 July 2004	S$170
	(b) Where the application for a patent is lodged on or after 14 February 2014 and has a date of filing before 1 July 2004	S$210 plus i) S$40 for each claim over 20 that is in excess of what was paid at the point of filing a request for Search and Examination Report or Examination Report; or ii) S$40 for each claim over 20, for applications relying on a Supplementary Examination Report.
	(c) Where the application for a patent has a date of filing on or after 1 July 2004
PF15	Payment of Renewal Fee and Any Additional Fee
	Renewal Fee (a) For each year of renewal in respect of the 5th, 6th or 7th year of the patent	S$165
	(b) For each year of renewal in respect of the 8th, 9th or 10th year of the patent	S$430
	(c) For each year of renewal in respect of the 11th, 12th or 13th year of the patent	S$600
	(d) For each year of renewal in respect of the 14th, 15th or 16th year of the patent	S$775
	(e) For each year of renewal in respect of the 17th, 18th or 19th year of the patent	S$945
	(f) For renewal of the 20th year of the patent	S$1120
	(g) For each year of renewal after the 20th year of the patent	S$1,380
	Additional Fee (a) For late payment of renewal fee not exceeding one month	S$50
	(b) For late payment of renewal fee for each succeeding month (but not exceeding 6 months)	S$100
PF17	Application Amend Specification After Grant	S$1,250
PF19	Application for Restoration of Patent	S$500
PF20	Payment of Additional Fee and Renewal Fee for Restoration of Patent	S$300 plus
	(a) For each year of renewal in respect of the 5th, 6th or 7th year of the patent	S$165
	(b) For each year of renewal in respect of the 8th, 9th or 10th year of the patent	S$430
	(c) For each year of renewal in respect of the 11th, 12th or 13th year of the patent	S$600
	(d) For each year of renewal in respect of the 14th, 15th or 16th year of the patent	S$775
	(e) For each year of renewal in respect of the 17th, 18th or 19th year of the patent	S$945
	(f) For renewal of the 20th year of the patent	S$1,120
	(g) For each year of renewal after the 20th year of the patent	S$1,380
PF28	Application for Entry to be Made, or for Cancellation of Entry, in Register to Effect that Licences under Patent are to be Available as of Right	S$40
NA	Application for Settlement of Terms of Licence of Right	S$380
NA	Reference to Registrar of Dispute as to Infringement	S$280
NA	Application for Declaration of Non-Infringement	S$280
NA	Application for Information on Corresponding Applications for Patent	S$100
PF35	Application for Revocation of Patent	S$500
PF36	Request for Re-examination of Patent (a) In Response to Direction of Registrar (b) Request for Re-examination after Grant	S$900 S$3,200
PF37	Entry into National Phase	S$210
PF38	Payment of Fee for Publication of Translation of International Application and/ or any Amendment to International Application (Applicable for national phase entry made before 29 April 2022)	S$70
NA	Application to Registrar for International Application to be Treated as Application under Act	S$160
NA	Payment of Additional Fee for Advertisement of Proposed Correction	NA
PF45/46/47	Request for Extension of Time or Period
	For an application for a patent lodged before 14 February 2014 (a) Request under rule 108(3)	S$200 for each time or period, and each month or part of a month
	(b) Request under rule 108(4) or (4A)	S$200
	(c) Payment of additional fee under 108(6)	S$200 for each time or period, and each month or part of a month
	For an application for a patent lodged on or after 14 February 2014 (a) Request under rule 108(3) or (4)	S$200 for each time or period, and each month or part of a month
	(b) Request under rule 108(5)	S$200 for each time or period, and each month or part of a month
NA	Payment of Transmittal Fee under Patent Co‑operation Treaty	S$150
NA	Request for Certificate Authorising Release of Sample of Micro-organism	NA
NA	Notice of Intention to Restrict Availability of Samples of Micro-organisms to Experts	NA
NA	Notice of objection to Release of Sample of Micro-organism to Expert	S$100
PF15	Payment of Renewal Fee and Any Additional Fee after Entry is Made in Register to Effect that Licences under Patent are to be Available as of Right
	Renewal Fee (a) For each year of renewal in respect of the 5th, 6th or 7th year of the patent	S$82.50
	(b) For each year of renewal in respect of the 8th, 9th or 10th year of the patent	S$215
	(c) For each year of renewal in respect of the 11th, 12th or 13th year of the patent	S$300
	(d) For each year of renewal in respect of the 14th, 15th or 16th year of the patent	S$387.50
	(e) For each year of renewal in respect of the 17th, 18th or 19th year of the patent	S$472.50
	(f) For renewal of the 20th year of the patent	S$560
	(g) For each year of renewal after the 20th year of the patent	S$690
	Additional Fee (a) For late payment of renewal fee not exceeding one month	S$50
	(b) For late payment of renewal fee for each succeeding month (but not exceeding 6 months)	S$100
PF54	Application for Extension of Term of Patent	S$950
PF56	Filing of Drawing(s), Description or Part of Description	No Fee
PF57	Addition, Correction or Late Declaration of Priority (a) For declaration under rule 9(2) or request under rule 9(3) (b) For request under rule 9A(2)	S$120 S$250
	Notice of Opposition – (a) To an application under section 24 (b) To an amendment of a specification after grant (c) To an application under section 54(1) or (3) for cancellation of an entry in the register (d) To the correction of an error, clerical error or mistake	S$40 S$480 S$90 S$100
CM1	Request to Appoint, Change or Remove Agent Notice of Intention to Cease to Act as Agent	No Fee
CM2 (Only e-filing available)	Request to Change Name, or Other Particular of Any Person For the correction of name or other particular of any person, please file Form CM4.	No Fee
CM3	Request to Surrender Patent	No Fee
CM4	Request for Correction of Error (a) For the correction of form, correction of register of Patents, or correction of documents other than form or specification of a patent or of an application for a patent (b) For the correction of error in name or other particular of a person in the register or other document (c) For the correction of specification of a patent or of an application for a patent	S$50 S$50 S$120
CM6	Application to Register, Amend or Terminate Licence	S$60 per application number
CM7	Application to Register, Amend or Terminate Security Interest	S$50 per application number
CM8	Application to Register Transfer of Ownership	S$70 per application number
CM9	Request for Withdrawal of Application	No Fee
CM10 (Only e-filing available)	Request for File Inspection	S$30
NA	Application to Record Order of Court	NA
CM12	Request for Certified Copy of Entry in Register or Certified Extract from Register/ Request for Certified Document Relating to Patent or Application for Patent (a) For certificate in electronic form (i.e. soft copy) (b) For certificate in paper form (i.e. hard copy)	S$28 per copy S$35 per copy
HC1	Hearing and decision	S$1,000
HC2	Request to Extract Registrar's Certificate of Taxation (for award of costs made before 1 October 2021)	S$80
HC3	Request for Extension of Time (a) first extension of that period (b) second or subsequent extension of that period	No Fee for 1st Request S$120 for each Subsequent Request
HC4	Request for Ex Parte Hearing (Hearing at which Only the Party Making the Request is Present)	S$100
HC5	Request for Grounds of Decision	S$700
HC6	Counter-Statement	S$360

Our Service Commitment

Timeliness of First Office Action
Within 12 MONTHS from a search and examination or examination request

Adjudication of Cases
Within 3 MONTHS from date ready for full hearing

Issuance of Grounds of Decision
Within 6 MONTHS from hearing

Quality of the Search and Examination Unit
For initial drafts prior to issuance

Due to a continuing high volume of applications, the issuance of the first office action for your search and/or examination request may take longer. IPOS is taking measures to manage the volume of applications and we seek your patience.

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Search Similar Patents

Domestic Route

National application for a patent

PCT Route

International application for a patent

Provisional Application

Secure an early filing date

National Security Clearance