405.02 Checks
TEAS does not accept fee payments in the form of checks. TEAS only accepts payment by credit card, deposit account, or electronic funds transfer.
Permitted Paper filings. Trademark Rule 2.207(a), 37 C.F.R. §2.207(a), provides that:
All payments of money required in trademark cases, including fees for the processing of international trademark applications and registrations that are paid through the Office, shall be made in U.S. dollars and in the form of a cashier’s or certified check, Treasury note, national bank note, or United States Postal Service money order. If sent in any other form, the Office may delay or cancel the credit until collection is made….
It is the practice of the USPTO to accept, as "conditional" payment of a fee, a signed uncertified check (e.g., a personal check). If an uncertified check clears, then the USPTO considers the fee paid as of the date it received the check.
See TMEP §301.01 regarding the limited exceptions when paper submissions may be submitted.