Guides

Should you do a patent search before filing? Yes — here is why

Filing a utility patent typically costs $8,000-$15,000 with an attorney. A search first tells you whether that's money well spent.

What a pre-filing search gives you

• Early warning of identical prior art (stop before you spend)
• Features to emphasize where you differ (better claims)
• A list of references your attorney will want anyway

Do I have to disclose what I find?

In the US, applicants have a duty to disclose known material prior art to the USPTO. Discuss your search results with your attorney or agent.

How to start

Run our free Quick Check for three similar patents, or order the full first-look report for the 10 closest, charted against your features.

More guides

• Is my invention already patented? How to check (2026)
• How much does a prior art search cost? 2026 price guide
• How to do a patent search yourself: step-by-step
• Patent search before a provisional patent application
• Free patent search vs paid prior art report: what’s the difference?
• Can I sell a product without a patent? (and the risk to check first)