WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide TT - Trinidad and Tobago
Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs (Trinidad and Tobago)

    Applicable as from May 21, 2026
    (published on May 21, 2026)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    GENERAL INFO: Payment methods
    RO: Electronic filing, Incorporation by reference, Color drawings
    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: Reinstatement of rights, Color drawings, Restoration of the right of priority
    Annexes: Payment methods
    List of changes

    All available versions

    Useful information

    The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    List of abbreviations used in this document:
    Office: Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs (Trinidad and Tobago)
    TTP: Trinidad and Tobago Patents Act, 1996
    TTR: Trinidad and Tobago Patents Rules, 1996
    List of currencies used in this document:
    TTD (Trinidad and Tobago dollar), USD (US dollar)
    Countries and Offices information:
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
    Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
    Office profile
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    Office Closed dates
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    International Phase

    Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

    Contracting State:
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Two-letter code:
    TT
    Name of Office:
    Intellectual Property Office, Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs (Trinidad and Tobago)
    Location:
    3rd Floor
    Capital Plaza 11-13
    Frederick Street
    Port of Spain
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Mailing address:
    Same as above
    Telephone:
    (1-868) 226 44 76
    E-mail:
    info@ipo.gov.tt
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    (1-868) 226 51 60
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
    Yes, by facsimile
    Which kinds of documents may be so transmitted?
    All kinds of documents
    Must the original of the document be furnished in all cases?
    Yes, within 14 days from the date of the transmission, if the transmitted document is an international application or a replacement sheet containing corrections or amendments of an international application
    No, only upon invitation in the case of other documents
    Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
    Yes, provided that the delivery service is:
    DHL,
    Federal Express
    Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    No
    Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
    IB,
    TT
    Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
    Refer to the Office
    Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
    Refer to corresponding National Phase.
    TT
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    Patents,
    Utility certificates
    Payment methods accepted by the Office:
    All fees must be paid to the Office, in the form of certified checks payable to “The Controller, Intellectual Property Office”, or at any District Revenue Office in Trinidad and Tobago.
    Online: via credit card once an acknowledgement number has been obtained: https://payment.ipo.gov.tt/
    In person at the Office: Debit cards, certified manager’s cheques
    Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
    None
    Provisional protection after international publication:
    None
    Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
    Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
    Must be in the request. If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1)(a), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
    No

    Annex C - Receiving Office

    Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Language in which international applications may be filed:
    English
    Language accepted for language-dependent free text in the sequence listing:
    English
    Language in which the request may be filed:
    English
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if the international application is filed on paper:
    1
    Does the receiving Office accept the filing of international applications in electronic form?
    Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
    Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this must be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format.
    For the relevant notification by the Office, refer to Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 4 May 2023, pages 104 et seq.
    Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?
    Yes, any format
    Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests
    Competent International Searching Authority:
    AT,
    EP,
    CL,
    SE,
    SG,
    US
    Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
    AT,
    CL,
    SE,
    SG

    EP
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office, by the Austrian Patent Office or by the Swedish Intellectual Property Office (PRV).
    US
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office.
    Fees payable to the RO:
    Transmittal fee:
    750 TTD
    International filing fee:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    1,667 USD
    Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
    19 USD
    Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
    Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
    251 USD
    Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
    376 USD
    Search fee:
    Fee payable in USD
    Refer to
    Annex D(AT)
    Annex D(CL)
    Annex D(EP)
    Annex D(SE)
    Annex D(SG)
    Annex D(US)
    Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
    50 TTD
    — plus, per page
    5 TTD
    Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
    No
    Who can act as agent?
    Any person admitted to practice as a patent agent in Trinidad and Tobago. A list of patent agents admitted to practice may be obtained from the Office
    Waiver of power of attorney:
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office

    National Phase

    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

    Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22(1): 30 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    Yes
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    English
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, as amended only, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), any text matter of drawings, abstract
    Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, only as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
    No
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    No
    National fees:
    Patents
    Filing fee
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    2,000 TTD
    Fee for search and substantive examination
    1,500 TTD
    Annual fee for the first three years
    1,000 TTD
    Utility certificates
    Filing fee
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    1,000 TTD
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    None
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Name and address of the inventor if they have not been furnished in the “Request” part of the international application
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Statement justifying the applicant’s right to the patent if he is not the inventor
    This requirement may be satisfied if the corresponding declaration has been made in accordance with PCT Rule 4.17.
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not a citizen or a permanent resident of Trinidad and Tobago or if his principal place of business is outside Trinidad and Tobago
    Who can act as agent?
    Any agent admitted to practice as a patent agent in Trinidad and Tobago. A list of patent agents admitted to practice may be obtained from the Office
    Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
    Yes
    Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests

    The procedure in the national Phase

    TT.01 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
    TTP Sec. 37
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs NP 6.002 and NP 6.003).
    TT.02 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex TT.I.
    TT.03 POWER OF ATTORNEY
    An agent must be appointed by filing a power of attorney. No special form is required.
    TT.04 EXAMINATION
    TTP Sec. 24
    The Office will cause international applications to be subjected to a search and a substantive examination upon payment of the prescribed fee the amount of which is set out in Annex TT.I.
    TT.05 INVENTOR
    TTP Sec. 17
    The indication of the name and address of the inventor may be furnished later than at the time of filing. If the data concerning the inventor are missing at the expiration of the time limit under PCT Article 22 or 39(1)(a), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within three months from the date of receipt of the invitation.
    TT.06 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION; TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 28,
    PCT Article 41,
    TTP Sec. 26,
    TTR 40

    The applicant may amend the international application at any time before a patent is granted, provided that the scope of the subject matter of the application is not broadened thereby.
    TT.07 ANNUAL FEES
    TTP Sec. 30,
    TTR 42(11)

    Annual fees shall be paid to the Office from the international filing date and must be paid before the corresponding year of validity begins. Where Article 22 applies, any annual fees are due within 21 months from the priority date; where Article 39(1) applies, any annual fees are due within 31 months from the priority date. A period of grace of six months shall be allowed for the late payment of the annual fee on payment of the prescribed surcharge. The amounts of the annual fees and the surcharge are indicated in Annex TT.I.
    TT.08 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Article 24(2),
    PCT Article 48(2),
    PCT Rule 82bis,
    TTR 48

    Reference is made to paragraphs NP 6.022 to NP 6.027 of the National Phase. Most time limits may be extended at the discretion of the Office, and such extensions may be granted even when the time or period for doing the required action has already expired.
    TT.09 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    PCT Article 25,
    PCT Rule 51,
    TTP Sec. 80,
    TTP Sec. 81

    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs NP 6.018 to NP 6.021 of the National Phase. If, upon review under PCT Article 25, the Office denies an error or omission on the part of the receiving Office or the International Bureau, an appeal against this decision may be lodged with the High Court within three months from the date of the decision.
    TT.10 UTILITY CERTIFICATE
    PCT Article 4(3),
    PCT Article 43,
    PCT Rule 49bis.1(c),
    PCT Rule 76.5,
    TTP Sec. 64,
    TTP Sec. 65,
    TTP Sec. 66,
    TTP Sec. 67,
    TTP Sec. 68,
    TTP Sec. 69

    If the applicant wishes to obtain a utility certificate instead of a patent in Trinidad and Tobago on the basis of an international application, for international applications filed before 1 January 2004, it must have been indicated in the international application (in Box No. V of the request) when filed; for international applications filed on or after 1 January 2004, since the request form no longer provides for the furnishing of such an indication, the applicant, when performing the acts referred to in Article 22 or 39, shall so indicate to the Office.
    TT.11 CONVERSION
    TTP Sec. 68
    An international application for a patent may be converted into an application for a utility certificate, and vice versa, at any time before the patent or the utility certificate is granted or before the application is refused, upon request of the applicant and upon the payment of the prescribed fee. The fee for conversion is indicated in Annex TT.I.

    Annexes

    Annex TT.I - Fees
    Patents
    Filing fee
    2,000 TTD
    Fee for search and substantive examination
    1,500 TTD
    Fee for grant (excluding publication fee)
    500 TTD
    Fee for application for correction of errors
    150 TTD
    Fee for amendment of the application at the request of the applicant
    500 TTD
    Fee for amendment of the application on invitation of the Controller.
    250 TTD
    Annual fees:
    — for the 2nd year
    200 TTD
    — for the 3rd year
    400 TTD
    — for the 4th year
    400 TTD
    — for the 5th year
    600 TTD
    — for the 6th year
    900 TTD
    — for the 7th year
    1,200 TTD
    — for the 8th year
    1,600 TTD
    — for the 9th year
    2,000 TTD
    — for the 10th year
    2,400 TTD
    — for the 11th year
    3,200 TTD
    — for the 12th year
    4,200 TTD
    — for the 13th year
    5,200 TTD
    — for the 14th year
    6,200 TTD
    — for the 15th year
    7,200 TTD
    — for the 16th year
    8,400 TTD
    — for the 17th year
    9,600 TTD
    — for the 18th year
    10,800 TTD
    — for the 19th year
    12,000 TTD
    — for the 20th year
    13,200 TTD
    Surcharge for late payment of annual fees
    10% of overdue fee
    Utility certificates
    Filing fee
    1,000 TTD
    Fee for conversion
    200 TTD
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    All fees must be paid to the Office, in the form of certified checks payable to “The Controller, Intellectual Property Office”, or at any District Revenue Office in Trinidad and Tobago.
    Online: via credit card once an acknowledgement number has been obtained: https://payment.ipo.gov.tt/
    In person at the Office: Debit cards, certified manager’s cheques
    Forms
    Please refer to the Office.
    Current version applicable from May 21, 2026 , printed on May 23, 2026
    3.0 #90 - 2026-04-17T14:45:10.108+02:00