The Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain has issued Ministerial Decision No. 13 of 2026, effective 17 March 2026, introducing a temporary extension for submitting legalized and authenticated documents related to industrial property filings.
This decision comes in response to exceptional regional circumstances impacting notarization, authentication, and legalization procedures, providing relief to applicants managing IP filings in Bahrain.
Key Highlights of the Decision
- A temporary extension of up to 90 days is granted for submitting legalized or authenticated documents.
- Applies to:
- Trademarks
- Patents
- Utility Models
- Industrial Designs
- Applicants (including rights holders and agents) can:
- Submit documents without prior legalization/authentication
- Provide justification for the delay at the time of filing
- The 90-day extension period starts from:
- The date of submission request, or
- The original deadline, depending on the case
Scope of Application
The decision applies to:
- New applications
- Applications pending formal examination
- Applications with missing documentation after examination
Important Compliance Note
Failure to submit the legalized or authenticated documents within the extended timeframe will result in the application being considered as never filed, potentially leading to loss of IP rights.
The decision itself will remain valid for a period of three months from its effective date.
Why This Matters for Businesses
This temporary measure provides critical flexibility for businesses and IP owners facing delays in document legalization, especially for cross-border filings. It ensures that applicants can secure filing dates and maintain their rights while completing formalities.
How Abou Naja Intellectual Property Can Assist
Abou Naja Intellectual Property (ANIP) provides end-to-end support for Bahrain IP filings, including:
- Managing extension requests and compliance filings
- Coordinating document notarization, authentication, and legalization
- Advising on risk mitigation and deadline management
- Handling filings across trademarks, patents, utility models, and designs
With 50+ years of experience and global coverage across 125+ countries, ANIP ensures your intellectual property rights remain protected without disruption.
Contact us today: [email protected]