# Trademark registration in Belize

> Trademarks in Belize are registered with the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO); the official application fee is BZD 475 for one class, and third parties can oppose within 12 weeks from the date of first publication in the Intellectual Property Journal. A registration lasts 10 years from the filing date and can be renewed. Belize can be designated through the Madrid System.

Source page: https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/belize
Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-11

## Key facts
- **Trademark office:** Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO)
- **Official fee:** BZD 475 — Application (first class)
- **Madrid Protocol:** Member since 2023
- **Opposition period:** 12 weeks from the date of first publication in the Intellectual Property Journal
- **Protection:** 10 years from the filing date, renewable
- **Multi-class applications:** Allowed
- **Foreign applicants:** Applicants whose residence or principal place of business is outside Belize must provide an address for service in Beli…

## Official links
- Law: Trade Marks Act, Chapter 257 (Act No. 17 of 2000, Revised Edition 2020) — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/22252
- Law: Trade Marks Rules — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/578
- Law: Trade Marks (Madrid Protocol) Regulations, 2023 — https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/22255

## Official fees (as of 2026-10)
- Application (first class): BZD 475
- Each additional class (application): BZD 100 — maximum five classes per application
- Renewal before expiry (first class): BZD 375
- Each additional class (renewal): BZD 75
- Renewal after expiry (late renewal): BZD 425
- Notice of opposition: BZD 225
- Search of the Register: BZD 20

## Steps
1. Optionally request a search of the Register from BELIPO.
2. File the application on BELIPO's forms (Forms No. 1, 2, 3 and 9), with up to five Nice classes; applicants based outside Belize must give an address for service in Belize (Form No. 1) and a notarised or apostilled authorisation of agent (Form No. 2).
3. BELIPO stamps the filing within about 1 week and runs data capture, Vienna coding and a similarity search within about 2 weeks.
4. BELIPO approves the application or issues a first examination report within about 2 months.
5. The accepted application is advertised in the Intellectual Property Journal in three consecutive fortnightly issues.
6. Third parties may file a notice of opposition within 12 weeks of the first publication; the applicant answers within 30 days of publication of the opposition.
7. If unopposed, the mark is registered and the certificate is issued, within about 6 months of filing according to BELIPO's service standards.

- **Examination:** BELIPO examines applications and issues an approval or first examination report within about 2 months of filing, according to its published service timelines.
- **Publication:** Intellectual Property Journal, in three consecutive fortnightly issues
- **Opposition:** 12 weeks from the date of first publication in the Intellectual Property Journal
- **Timeline:** BELIPO's service standard is a registration certificate within about 6 months of filing if there are no objections
- **Late renewal:** Late renewal within 6 months after expiry (higher fee); after that the mark is removed, but restoration can be requested within 12 months of expiry
- **Power of attorney:** Authorisation of agent on Form No. 2, which must be notarised or apostilled, filed with the application.
- **Language:** English
- **Use requirement:** a registration can be challenged after 5 years of non-use.

## Good to know
- The date of registration is deemed to be the filing date of the application, and the 10-year term runs from it.
- A single application may cover at most five Nice classes.
- Applications are advertised three times, in consecutive fortnightly issues of the Intellectual Property Journal, and the 12-week opposition period runs from the first advertisement.
- A mark not renewed within 6 months after expiry is removed from the Register, but can be restored within 12 months of expiry.
- Belize joined the Madrid System on 24 February 2023; Belizean owners can use a Belize application or registration as the basis for an international application.

## FAQ
### How much does it cost to register a trademark in Belize?
BELIPO's official fee is BZ$475 for an application in one class plus BZ$100 for each additional class, with a maximum of five classes per application.

### How long does trademark registration take in Belize?
BELIPO's service standards target a first examination outcome within about 2 months and a registration certificate within about 6 months of filing, if there are no objections.

### How long is the opposition period in Belize?
Twelve weeks from the first publication of the application in the Intellectual Property Journal.

### Is Belize part of the Madrid Protocol?
Yes. The Madrid Protocol has been in force for Belize since 24 February 2023.

### Do foreign applicants need an agent in Belize?
Yes. Applicants based outside Belize must give a Belize address for service and appoint an agent using an authorisation form that is notarised or apostilled.

### How long does a Belize trademark registration last?
Ten years from the filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods; late renewal is possible within 6 months after expiry.

## Sources
- WIPO Lex – Belize profile: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/members/profile/BZ
- WIPO Lex – Trade Marks Act, Chapter 257: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/legislation/details/22252
- WIPO Lex – Madrid Protocol contracting parties: https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/treaties/ShowResults?search_what=C&treaty_id=8

Need a firm that files in Belize? Find one at https://trademarkshub.com/trademarks/belize (TrademarksHub lists IP firms by country; featured placements are paid and labelled).
General information, not legal advice.