The USPTO state directory reports that the District of Columbia has no separate D.C. trademark law. For a DC operating name, use the DLCP trade-name registry; for federal protection, use the USPTO.
District of Columbia trademark and business-name sources
- State authority
- District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
- State registration status
- No separate DC trademark registration law; DC trade-name registration is available
- Filing-fee basis
- $55 trade-name filing
- Registration term
- Two years for a DC trade name
- Official state information
- Open the official state source ↗
- State mark search or records
- Open state mark records ↗
- Official business/entity-name search
- Open official business records ↗
- Federal trademark search
- Search USPTO federal records ↗
- Jurisdiction
- District of Columbia (DC)
Business name, trade name, state mark, and federal mark are different
| Record | What it generally answers | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| Business entity name | Whether an entity record appears in the District of Columbia business registry. | That the name is free of state, federal, or common-law trademark rights. |
| Trade name or DBA | Whether an operating name is registered under the applicable state or local system. | Ownership of broader trademark rights. |
| State trademark/service mark | Whether a state registration appears in the District of Columbia mark system. | Nationwide federal protection or the absence of unregistered rights. |
| Federal trademark | Whether a federal application or registration appears in the USPTO system. | A complete legal clearance opinion by itself. |
Recommended search sequence for a District of Columbia name or mark
Search the official business registry
Look for exact, partial, and similar entity names in the official District of Columbia business records. This is an entity-record screen, not trademark clearance.
Review the state mark records
Use the state mark search or official information source above. Confirm whether the database includes active registrations only, pending applications, expired records, or images.
Search federal records
Use USPTO Trademark Search for exact words, variations, similar wording, owners, and relevant goods or service classes.
Consider unregistered use
State and federal databases do not necessarily reveal every common-law user. Wider marketplace, domain, directory, and industry research may be needed.
District of Columbia conditions and limitations
- The USPTO directory states that DC has no separate D.C. trademark law; DLCP maintains the District trade-name registry.
- State registration is limited to the jurisdiction and does not replace a federal application.
- Applications can require current use, specimens, classification, ownership details, signatures, and separate fees by class.
- Official fees, forms, portals, renewal windows, and evidence requirements can change; recheck before submission.
- Government filing staff generally cannot provide legal advice or resolve priority and infringement disputes.
Use the official District of Columbia filing source
Start with the official state information page linked above. It is the controlling destination for the current application, fee schedule, specimen instructions, classification rules, renewal process, and payment methods. This directory deliberately does not create a third-party filing form or accept payment.
Source verification
Important claims are tied to government or authoritative public sources.
- District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionState trademark information and filing destinationOfficial source ↗
- Official District of Columbia business registryEntity-name and business-record screeningOfficial search ↗
- USPTOFederal trademark search and state-office directoryuspto.gov ↗
- NASSBusiness-name and trademark distinction guidancenass.org ↗
District of Columbia trademark and business-name answers
Who handles state trademark information in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Does District of Columbia have a state trademark registration system?
No separate D.C. trademark law is listed by the USPTO; the District maintains a trade-name registry.
Does a District of Columbia business-name search prove a trademark is available?
No. Entity-name, assumed-name, state mark, federal mark, and common-law records answer different questions.
Where can I search federal trademarks from District of Columbia?
Use the USPTO Trademark Search system. Federal records are separate from the state business and mark systems.
What is the District of Columbia filing fee?
$55 trade-name filing. Verify the amount and payment method on the official source immediately before filing.
How long does a District of Columbia state registration last?
Two years for a DC trade name. Renewal timing and continued-use requirements must be confirmed on the current official instructions.
Does SecretaryOfStateUSA.com register a trademark in District of Columbia?
No. This private directory does not accept applications, payments, or legal-service engagements.
When were the District of Columbia links and scope checked?
The authority, official state destination, business-search destination, and federal search route were.