How to Register a Trademark in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s economy has transformed into a business hub for Central Asia, with tech companies, energy firms, and consumer brands increasingly interested in protecting their identities in the local market. A registered trademark gives the owner exclusive rights to use the mark on specific goods or services, prevents competitors from adopting similar branding, and makes it easier to enforce rights in court. Kazakhstan is a party to the Madrid Protocol, allowing international filings through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), yet national registration remains the foundation for protection. This guide explains, step by step, how to register a trademark in Kazakhstan, how much it costs, expected timelines (including a new accelerated procedure), and how to maintain a registration once granted.
Understanding trademarks under Kazakh law
Kazakhstan’s Law on Trademarks, Service Marks and Protected Designation of Origin of Goods defines a trademark as a visual, verbal, alphabetic, numeric, three‑dimensional, or other designation used to distinguish the goods or services of one entity from those of others. Designations that consist solely of commonly used terms, descriptive information (e.g., the nature or quality of the product), generic symbols or official state emblems cannot be registered. Signs likely to mislead the public about the product or its origin are also excluded.
Registration gives the proprietor exclusive rights to use the mark and prohibits others from using identical or confusingly similar marks. These rights arise from the date of entry in the State Register of Trademarks and can be licensed or assigned. Without registration, businesses risk losing their brand to third parties and face difficulties enforcing their rights.
Validity and renewal
A Kazakh trademark registration is valid for ten years from the application filing date. The proprietor may renew the registration for additional ten‑year periods by submitting a request during the last year of validity. If the renewal period is missed, the owner has six months after expiration to file a request and pay restoration fees; otherwise the mark lapses, and a new application must be filed.
Preparing to file: preliminary considerations
Conduct a trademark search
Kazakh law does not require an official search before filing, but applicants are strongly advised to check the State Register of Trademarks for identical or confusingly similar marks. The National Institute of Intellectual Property (Qazpatent) offers an online database, and patent attorneys can perform searches and provide risk assessments. Conducting a search helps avoid refusals during examination and reduces the likelihood of infringing earlier rights.
Choose the type of mark and classes
Identify whether your mark is a word mark, logo, combined mark, or three‑dimensional shape. Then list the goods and services you plan to protect using the Nice Classification (an international classification system for goods and services). Kazakhstan allows broad protection, but fees increase with the number of classes (see Section 6).
Decide on the filing route
Foreign applicants may file directly in Kazakhstan or via the Madrid Protocol. International applications are submitted through the applicant’s home IP office and designate Kazakhstan. National applications are filed directly with Qazpatent. Non‑residents must act through a Kazakh patent attorney, whereas local individuals or entities may file on their own.
Filing the national application
Submit the application and documents
An application must include:
- A request for registration of the mark, indicating the applicant and its address.
- A reproduction of the mark (digital image or drawing).
- A list of goods and/or services classified by the Nice classes.
- Proof of payment of official fees.
Applications may be submitted by personal visit, postal mail, or through the Qazpatent website. The “Application and attached documents” guidelines state that submissions can be made in person, via postal service, or as an electronic document through the Personal Account on the official site, signed with an electronic digital signature. Paper applications must be filed in two copies in Kazakh or Russian and printed via computer. A patent attorney or other representative may file on the applicant’s behalf, provided a power of attorney is attached.
For those using the E‑Government portal, the steps are straightforward: log into the e‑government portal, select the service “Registration of a trademark” and click “Order online service,” which takes the user to the Qazpatent personal cabinet; fill out the application form and sign it with a digital signature or SMS code; then monitor notifications in the personal cabinet and e‑mail. Qazpatent receives payment information automatically through the e‑government gateway.
Fast‑track versus standard filing
Under the standard procedure, Qazpatent issues a filing date once the application meets formal requirements and the fee is paid. The preliminary examination checks for completeness and compliance with formal requirements within one month of receipt. After acceptance, the full examination assesses distinctiveness and conflicts with earlier rights and is normally conducted within seven months from filing. However, amendments introduced in February 2024 allow applicants to request an accelerated examination. According to a law firm summary, the new order reduces the preliminary examination period to five days and the full examination to three months, cutting the typical eight‑month registration timeline in half; the accelerated procedure requires an additional fee and must be requested at filing. Legalmax Law Firm clarifies that the petition for accelerated examination must be accompanied by proof of payment; if the payment document is absent, the request is not considered.
Examination stages
- Preliminary examination (1 month or 5 days fast‑track) – Qazpatent checks the application content and documents for compliance with Articles 5 and 9 of the Law and notifies the applicant of acceptance. If documents are incomplete, the applicant must provide missing information within 20 working days, otherwise, the application is rejected.
- Full examination (7 months or 3 months fast‑track) – The examiner determines whether the mark meets the requirements of Articles 6 and 7 regarding distinctiveness and absence of conflict with earlier rights. Upon completion, Qazpatent issues a decision granting or refusing registration.
Applicants may request early examination for a fee; under the previous rules the exam could begin six months after filing, but the 2024 amendments expedite this process.
Registration and publication
Once the decision is favorable and fees are paid, the mark is entered into the State Register of Trademarks, assigned a serial number and registration date, and the certificate is issued. Payment is made through a non‑cash method via the Qazpatent payment gateway. Information is published publicly and the applicant receives the certificate either electronically or on paper. Under the public service regulation, Qazpatent must complete this final registration and issue a certificate within 10 working days.
Costs of trademark registration
Official fees
Qazpatent publishes a detailed price list. Key fees for a standard trademark application (including VAT) are summarized below:
| Description | Fee (KZT) |
| Acceptance of an application and examination for a trademark (service mark) | 117 812,50 |
| – additional fee per class beyond 3 | 34 994,19 |
| – additional fee for each item beyond 10 in the class | 1 950,00 |
| Registration in the State Register, issuance of a certificate, and publication | 37 849,64 |
| – additional fee per class beyond 3 | 11 185,72 |
Additional classes and accelerated examination will increase the cost. Fees are paid through the online payment gateway integrated into Qazpatent’s system.
Attorney fees and translation costs
Although not regulated by law, applicants often engage patent attorneys to prepare the application, conduct searches, translate documents into Kazakh or Russian, and handle correspondence. Attorney costs vary widely. Non‑residents are required to file through a Kazakh attorney. Documents must be translated into Kazakh or Russian if filed in another language.
Timeline and expected duration
Under the standard procedure, the overall registration process generally takes eight to nine months, comprising one month for preliminary examination and seven months for full examination. However, the law firm Bolotov & Partners notes that registration often takes 9–10 months. The accelerated procedure introduced in 2024 can reduce the total time to approximately four months, provided the applicant submits a petition and pays the fast‑track fee at the time of filing.
After the examination phase, Qazpatent has 10 working days to enter the mark in the State Register and issue the certificate. Therefore, applicants should plan for at least 10 months under the standard process and 4–5 months under the fast‑track process.
Renewal and maintenance
Trademark rights in Kazakhstan remain valid for ten years from the filing date. To renew, the proprietor must submit an application during the last year of validity and pay the renewal fee. Qazpatent’s renewal fee for standard trademarks is 218,835 KZT for up to three classes, with additional fees for extra classes. The application must be filed in Kazakh or Russian and accompanied by proof of payment and, if applicable, a power of attorney. Qazpatent processes the renewal request within ten working days.
If the proprietor misses the deadline, the law allows a six‑month grace period. A request to reinstate the deadline must be filed within six months after expiration and accompanied by payment. If the owner fails to renew within this period, the registration lapses and must be refiled.
International registration under the Madrid Protocol
Businesses seeking protection beyond Kazakhstan may file a national application and, once accepted, file an international application through Qazpatent, which acts as the office of origin. Kazakhstan is a member of the Madrid Protocol. The international application lists designated countries or organizations and is transmitted to WIPO. The Protocol offers advantages such as a single set of fees in Swiss francs and centralized management of subsequent changes or renewals. To file, the applicant must have a national application or registration on which the formal examination has been completed.
Practical tips and common mistakes
- Prepare proper translations: All documents must be in Kazakh or Russian. Translating names and addresses correctly avoids formal defects.
- Specify the correct classes: Overbroad or incorrect class specifications may lead to refusal or limit protection. Use the Nice Classification and consult the Qazpatent list of goods and services.
- Check absolute grounds: Marks that are generic, descriptive, misleading or contrary to public morals will be refused. Avoid using state emblems or well‑known geographical indications without authorization.
- Consider accelerated examination: If you need faster protection—for example, to enter online marketplaces—request fast‑track processing and budget for additional fees. Ensure the request is accompanied by proof of payment.
- Monitor deadlines: Set reminders for renewal deadlines. Missing the renewal and grace periods will require a new application and could result in loss of priority.
Conclusion
Registering a trademark in Kazakhstan is a structured process governed by national law and administered by the National Institute of Intellectual Property. Applicants need to select appropriate classes, prepare translations, submit the application with required documents, pay official fees and navigate examination stages. Recent legislative amendments allow fast‑track examination, significantly reducing the registration timeline. Once registered, trademarks enjoy ten years of protection and can be renewed indefinitely with proper maintenance. By understanding these requirements and deadlines—and considering professional advice when necessary—businesses can secure and protect their brands in this growing market.
FAQ
How long does it take to register a trademark in Kazakhstan?
Under the standard procedure, registration typically takes eight to ten months, including one month for preliminary examination and seven months for full examination. The accelerated procedure introduced in 2024 can reduce this timeframe to about four months, provided an additional fee is paid and the fast‑track request is submitted with the application.
How long is a trademark valid and when should it be renewed?
A trademark registration is valid for ten years from the filing date. It must be renewed within the last year of its validity. If the deadline is missed, the owner has six months after expiration to file a renewal request and pay restoration fees; otherwise, the registration lapses and a new application is needed.
Who can file a trademark application?
Local individuals and legal entities may file directly. Non‑residents must appoint a Kazakh patent attorney to file and handle correspondence with Qazpatent. A power of attorney must accompany the application when a representative files on behalf of the applicant.
What documents are required for filing?
The application must include a request for registration, a reproduction of the mark, a list of goods/services according to the Nice Classification and proof of payment of official fees. For electronic submissions, the application is filed through the Qazpatent personal account and signed with an electronic digital signature. If filing on paper, two copies typed in Kazakh or Russian are required.
Do I need to conduct a trademark search before filing?
Kazakh law does not mandate an official search, but it is highly recommended. Conducting a search in Qazpatent’s database helps identify earlier conflicting marks and increases the chance of a successful registration.
Can the registration process be expedited?
Yes. Amendments effective from February 2024 introduced an accelerated examination, reducing the preliminary examination to five days and the full examination to three months. Applicants must file a petition and pay an additional fee at the time of filing; otherwise the application will follow the standard timeline.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in Kazakhstan?
For a standard application covering up to three classes, the combined official fees for acceptance, examination, and registration amount to around 155,662 KZT. Additional classes and accelerated examination incur extra fees. Attorney fees and translation costs are separate and vary based on the service provider.
Can I claim priority from an earlier foreign application?
Kazakhstan is a party to the Paris Convention. Applicants may claim priority within six months of filing an application in another convention country. Evidence of the earlier application and certified translations must be submitted.
How do I register a trademark internationally?
Once you have a national application or registration in Kazakhstan, you can file an international application under the Madrid Protocol through Qazpatent. The protocol allows a single application designating multiple member countries and simplifies fee payment and subsequent management.
What happens if someone else registers a similar mark?
If you believe a registered mark conflicts with your rights, you may oppose it or request invalidation in court. Evidence of prior use or reputation may be required. Monitoring the State Register and filing timely oppositions helps protect your brand.