How Much Does a Trademark Cost?
Last reviewed: January 2026
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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office processes over 900,000 trademark applications annually1. Filing fees range from $250 to $350 per class depending on the application type2. Attorney fees add $500–$3,000 for domestic filings and more for international registrations through the Madrid Protocol3. A federal trademark registration lasts 10 years and is renewable indefinitely in 10-year increments4.
| Filing Type | USPTO Fee | Attorney Range |
|---|---|---|
| TEAS Plus | $250/class | $500–$2,000 |
| TEAS Standard | $350/class | $750–$2,500 |
| Intent-to-Use | $250–350 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Section 8 renewal | $225/class | $300–$800 |
| Section 9 renewal | $300/class | $300–$800 |
| Madrid Protocol (intl) | $500+ | $2,000–$5,000+ |
A trademark registration protects your brand name, logo, or slogan in the specific goods/services classes you register. USPTO fees are per class — broad coverage means higher fees. Common mistake: registering in too few classes and finding a competitor uses your mark in a class you didn't register. The trademark lasts 10 years and is renewable indefinitely if you continue using it. Do a clearance search before filing — if you're too similar to an existing mark, the USPTO will reject your application and you lose the filing fee. The free TEAS Plus requires very specific pre-approved descriptions; TEAS Standard gives more flexibility.
⚖️ Legal Disclaimer: USPTO fees change periodically. This is an educational estimate. For strategic trademark decisions, consult a registered trademark attorney (must be US-licensed for USPTO filings).
The most expensive mistake is filing before conducting a thorough search — if an existing trademark conflicts with yours, you lose the filing fee ($250–350 per class) and may need to rebrand entirely. File in the correct international class (there are 45 classes covering different goods and services), and use precise descriptions rather than broad ones, which the USPTO will reject. Logos and stylized marks should be filed separately from word marks for maximum protection. A word mark protects the name in any font or style, while a design mark only protects the specific visual. Many businesses file both for comprehensive coverage, doubling the filing fees but providing the broadest protection. Compare intellectual property costs with our Patent Cost Calculator for invention protection.
Federal trademark registration through the USPTO follows a defined timeline. After filing ($250–350 per class via TEAS Plus), an examining attorney reviews the application within 3–6 months. If approved, the mark is published in the Official Gazette for a 30-day opposition period. If no one opposes, registration issues 2–3 months later. The entire process typically takes 8–12 months for straightforward applications, longer if the examiner issues office actions (objections requiring response). International registration through the Madrid Protocol costs $653+ per country and leverages your US application. Maintaining a trademark requires filing Section 8 declarations between years 5–6 and renewing every 10 years ($300 per class).
Registering a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) involves several cost components that vary based on the filing method, number of classes, and whether you use an attorney. The USPTO filing fee itself ranges from $250 per class (TEAS Plus application, with strict requirements including selecting goods/services from the USPTO's pre-approved list) to $350 per class (TEAS Standard application, with more flexibility in describing goods and services). Each "class" represents a category of goods or services — if your brand covers both clothing (Class 25) and retail services (Class 35), you pay fees for two classes.
Attorney fees represent the largest variable cost in trademark registration. While trademark applications can be filed without an attorney (pro se), the complexities of trademark law make professional assistance advisable for most applicants. Attorney fees for a straightforward trademark application typically range from $500-$2,000, including a comprehensive trademark search, application preparation, and initial response to USPTO communications. Complex applications involving multiple classes, design marks, or potential conflicts can cost $2,000-$5,000 or more. The total cost for a single-class federal trademark registration, including attorney fees, typically falls between $800-$2,500.
The trademark registration process from filing to registration typically takes 12-18 months, though delays are common. After filing, the application is assigned to a USPTO examining attorney within 3-6 months. The examining attorney reviews the application for compliance with legal requirements and potential conflicts with existing trademarks. If issues are found, the examiner issues an Office Action requiring a response within 6 months — common issues include likelihood of confusion with existing marks, descriptiveness refusals, and specimen deficiencies.
If the application passes examination (or the applicant successfully responds to Office Actions), the mark is published in the Official Gazette for a 30-day opposition period, during which any party who believes they would be damaged by the registration can file an opposition. If no opposition is filed, use-based applications proceed directly to registration, while intent-to-use applications require filing a Statement of Use (with an additional fee of $100 per class) showing the mark in actual commerce before registration is granted. The total timeline from filing to registration certificate is typically 12-18 months for straightforward applications, but contested or complex cases can extend to 2-3 years or longer.
Trademark registration is not a one-time expense — maintaining a registered trademark requires ongoing costs. Between the 5th and 6th year after registration, the owner must file a Section 8 Declaration of Use (or Excusable Nonuse) with a fee of $225 per class, demonstrating that the mark is still in active commercial use. Between the 9th and 10th year, both a Section 8 Declaration and a Section 9 Renewal Application must be filed, with combined fees of $525 per class. Subsequent renewals are required every 10 years at the same combined rate. Failure to file these maintenance documents results in cancellation of the registration.
Additional costs that trademark owners commonly encounter include: comprehensive trademark searches before filing ($300-$1,500 through professional search firms), responses to Office Actions ($500-$2,000 per response in attorney fees), amendments to applications, assignment recordings when ownership changes, and enforcement costs including cease-and-desist letters ($500-$2,000) and litigation if necessary (potentially $50,000-$500,000+ for contested trademark disputes). The investment in proper trademark registration typically pays for itself by preventing costly rebranding if a conflict is discovered after years of brand building.
In addition to federal registration with the USPTO, trademarks can be registered at the state level, typically through the Secretary of State's office. State registration is simpler and cheaper (usually $25-$200 filing fee with no attorney needed) but provides protection only within that state's borders. Federal registration provides nationwide protection, the right to use the ® symbol, a legal presumption of ownership and validity, the ability to bring infringement claims in federal court, and registration with U.S. Customs for blocking importation of infringing goods.
Common law trademark rights exist automatically through use of a mark in commerce, even without registration — identified by the ™ symbol. However, common law rights are limited to the geographic area where the mark is actually used and are much harder to enforce. For businesses operating or planning to operate in multiple states, federal registration is almost always worth the investment. For purely local businesses with no expansion plans, state registration or common law rights may be sufficient. For related business planning costs, see our Startup Runway Calculator and Business Valuation Calculator.
Protecting a trademark internationally adds significant cost and complexity. The Madrid Protocol allows trademark holders in member countries to file a single international application designating protection in multiple countries, with fees varying by country designation — typically $200-$600 per country for basic designations. The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) offers a single registration covering all EU member states for approximately €850 (one class) to €1,050 (three classes). Direct filing in individual countries outside these systems costs $500-$3,000+ per country including local attorney fees and translation costs.
International trademark strategy should be driven by actual or planned business activity — registering in markets where you have no commercial presence provides limited value unless you are proactively defending against potential cybersquatters or counterfeiters. Priority countries for international registration typically include markets where you currently sell, markets where you plan to expand within 2-3 years, markets where counterfeiting is common in your industry, and countries where a competitor might preemptively register your mark. Consulting with a trademark attorney experienced in international intellectual property is essential for developing a cost-effective global trademark strategy.
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See also: Patent Cost Calculator · Business Entity Comparison · Legal Name Change Cost Calculator