How to access TSDR and find your mark
Go to tsdr.uspto.gov and search using your serial number for pending applications or registration number for registered marks. Your serial number is on your original filing confirmation email and on every USPTO notice sent about that application.
After searching, you'll land on a status record with top-level case details, current status text, and tabs for prosecution history and documents. The key is to read the status in context: what changed recently, what deadline follows, and whether you're in application mode or maintenance mode.
The status codes founders see most often
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Published for Opposition | Your mark cleared examination and entered a public challenge window. | Track the 30-day opposition period closely and be ready for TTAB activity. |
| Registered | The USPTO issued federal registration for listed classes. | Calculate Section 8 and Section 9 deadlines immediately and set reminders. |
| Office Action Issued | The examiner raised legal or procedural issues with your filing. | Respond before the response deadline or risk abandonment. |
| Notice of Allowance | An intent-to-use mark was approved pending proof of actual use. | File a Statement of Use or extension on time. |
| Abandoned — Failure to Respond | No timely response was filed and the application was abandoned. | Evaluate a petition to revive quickly if eligible. |
| Cancelled — Section 8 | The registration was cancelled for missing continued-use maintenance. | Assess refiling and priority implications right away. |
| Expired — Section 9 | The registration expired after missing renewal requirements. | Plan a new filing if you still use and need to protect the mark. |
| Pending | The application is still active in examination or publication workflow. | Check for new correspondence and upcoming response windows. |
Finding your maintenance deadlines on TSDR
In a registered record, start by locating the registration date. That date drives your maintenance timeline. Section 8 is due during years 5 to 6 after registration, while Section 9 renewal repeats every 10 years from that same registration date.
TSDR gives you status history and filings, but it does not reliably present an explicit "next deadline countdown" for founders. You are expected to calculate windows yourself and monitor them over time, which is why deadlines are often missed by teams who believe a registration is "done."
This is exactly the operational gap MarkSnag closes: translating registration dates into concrete upcoming deadlines and sending alerts before windows close.
Reading the documents tab
The Documents tab is your source of truth for official correspondence. You'll find Office Actions, examiner decisions, approvals, notices, and submitted responses in chronological order, each with timestamps and document types.
For founders, the practical value is high: when status text feels vague, the document usually tells you the precise issue and deadline. Reviewing document titles and dates regularly can prevent missed responses and help your attorney move faster with complete context.
Why checking TSDR manually isn't enough
TSDR is a lookup tool, not an alerting system. It shows what the current state is when you visit, but it does not proactively notify you about a new Office Action, a publication milestone, or a deadline getting close.
Most founders do not remember to check weekly. MarkSnag tracks your marks and notifies you when meaningful status changes happen, so you can act while you still have options.