Trademark Registration Cost — What to Expect in 2026

Registering a trademark can be an important step in protecting your brand, but understanding the trademark registration cost is not always straightforward. In 2026, the amount you pay can depend on how many classes of goods or services your application covers, your filing basis, whether additional USPTO fees apply, and whether legal issues arise during the registration process.

For many applicants, the federal filing fee is only one part of the overall cost. Understanding the potential expenses before filing can help businesses budget appropriately and avoid preventable fees.

What Is the Trademark Registration Cost in 2026?

For most applications filed directly with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) under Sections 1 or 44 of the Trademark Act, the current base application fee is $350 per class of goods or services.

This means that an application covering one class would generally start at $350 in USPTO filing fees. An application covering two classes would generally start at $700, while an application covering three classes would generally start at $1,050.

The USPTO charges fees on a per-class basis because trademark protection is organized according to the particular goods and services associated with a mark. A company selling clothing, for example, may require a different class than a company providing business consulting services.

Applicants can review the USPTO's current filing fees through the USPTO Trademark Fee Information page.

Why Trademark Registration Costs Can Exceed $350

The $350 per-class filing fee is a base application fee, not necessarily the total amount an applicant will pay.

The USPTO changed its trademark fee structure in January 2025. The former TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard application options were replaced with a single base application fee, while additional fees may apply depending on how an application is prepared.

For example, an additional fee of $100 per class can apply when an application does not contain certain information required for the base application. Applicants who use the free-form text box to describe their goods or services instead of selecting an appropriate identification from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual may also incur an additional $200 per class fee.

When an applicant uses the free-form identification field and the description exceeds 1,000 characters, an additional $200 per affected class for each additional group of 1,000 characters can apply.

These fees make careful application preparation particularly important. Applicants can learn more through the USPTO's guidance on additional trademark application fees.

How Trademark Classes Affect Trademark Registration Cost

The number of classes included in an application is one of the biggest factors affecting trademark registration cost.

Trademark applications identify the particular goods or services offered under a mark. Those goods and services are divided into 45 international classes. Because the USPTO generally charges its application fee for each class, businesses seeking broader protection across different types of products or services may face higher filing costs.

For example, suppose a business operates a clothing brand and sells shirts and hats. Those products may fall within the same class, depending on the specific goods identified. However, if the business also provides certain retail store services, those services may fall into a separate class.

In that situation, protecting the full scope of the business could require multiple classes and therefore multiple filing fees.

This is one reason applicants should carefully determine which goods and services actually need protection before filing. Filing too narrowly can leave important parts of a business outside the registration, while unnecessarily broad or inaccurate identifications can increase costs and potentially create problems during examination.

Applicants can search for acceptable descriptions through the USPTO Trademark ID Manual.

Does an Intent-to-Use Trademark Application Cost More?

An intent-to-use trademark application can ultimately cost more because additional filings may be necessary before the trademark registers.

A business does not necessarily have to wait until it begins using a trademark to apply for federal registration. An applicant with a bona fide intention to use a mark in commerce may file an application under Section 1(b) of the Trademark Act.

The initial base filing fee is still generally $350 per class. However, once the USPTO approves the application and issues a Notice of Allowance, the applicant must eventually demonstrate that the mark is actually being used in commerce.

An applicant who is ready to demonstrate use can file a Statement of Use. The current USPTO filing fee for a Statement of Use is $150 per class.

If the applicant is not yet ready to demonstrate use, the applicant may request an additional six-month period before filing the Statement of Use. Each extension request currently costs $125 per class. Subject to USPTO requirements and deadlines, an applicant may file up to five extension requests.

As a result, an intent-to-use application may ultimately have higher government filing costs than an application based on a mark that is already being used in commerce.

The USPTO provides additional information through its Intent-to-Use Forms and Requirements page.

Does a Trademark Search Add to the Cost?

A trademark clearance search can add to the overall cost of the registration process, particularly when an applicant hires an attorney to conduct or review the search. However, the purpose of the search is different from the USPTO filing fee.

Before submitting an application, it is generally advisable to investigate whether existing trademarks could create a likelihood-of-confusion issue. The USPTO examining attorney will conduct a search for potentially conflicting federal registrations and applications during examination, but discovering a serious conflict after filing may mean that the applicant has already paid a nonrefundable filing fee.

A basic search of the federal trademark database can help identify obvious conflicts. A more comprehensive trademark clearance search may evaluate similar marks, variations in spelling and pronunciation, related goods and services, and other factors that could affect whether the proposed trademark can be registered.

Applicants can begin researching existing federal trademark records using the USPTO Trademark Search system.

Attorney Fees and the Overall Trademark Registration Cost

Attorney fees are separate from USPTO filing fees and can vary depending on the attorney, the number of classes involved, the complexity of the application, and the services being provided.

Legal services may include conducting a trademark clearance search, determining the appropriate owner and filing basis, identifying the proper goods and services, preparing and filing the application, monitoring USPTO deadlines, and communicating with the USPTO during examination.

Attorney fees may also increase if substantive legal issues arise after the application is filed.

Applicants domiciled in the United States are generally not required to hire an attorney to submit a federal trademark application. However, foreign-domiciled trademark applicants and registrants are required to be represented by a U.S.-licensed attorney before the USPTO.

Can an Office Action Increase Trademark Registration Cost?

An Office Action does not necessarily mean that a trademark application will be permanently refused. It is an official communication from the USPTO identifying legal or procedural issues that must be addressed before the application can proceed.

Some Office Actions involve relatively straightforward requirements, while others raise substantive legal issues. For example, an examining attorney might refuse registration because of a likelihood of confusion with an existing trademark or because the proposed mark is considered merely descriptive.

The USPTO does not generally charge a separate government fee simply because an applicant submits a timely response to an Office Action. However, attorney fees may apply if the applicant seeks legal assistance with preparing the response.

Additional USPTO fees can also arise in certain circumstances. For example, an applicant who needs additional time to respond to certain pre-registration Office Actions may request an extension, which currently carries a $125 fee.

For a more detailed explanation of the examination process, see our article on What Is a Trademark Office Action?.

Are USPTO Trademark Filing Fees Refundable?

USPTO trademark application fees are generally nonrefundable.

Paying the filing fee allows the USPTO to process and examine an application. It does not guarantee that the trademark will ultimately register.

If an examining attorney refuses registration and the applicant cannot overcome the refusal, the USPTO generally will not refund the application fee. The same principle applies if an applicant later decides that it no longer wants to pursue the application.

This makes preparation before filing particularly important. Selecting the appropriate classes, identifying the correct trademark owner, conducting a clearance search, and accurately describing the relevant goods or services can help reduce avoidable problems.

Trademark Registration Costs Do Not End at Registration

Trademark owners should also account for the cost of maintaining a federal registration after it is issued.

Between the fifth and sixth years after registration, most trademark owners must file a declaration demonstrating continued use of the mark. The current USPTO filing fee for a Section 8 declaration is $325 per class.

Federal trademark registrations also generally must be renewed every 10 years. The current USPTO filing fee for a combined Section 8 declaration and Section 9 renewal is $650 per class.

Trademark owners who meet the applicable requirements may also choose to file a Section 15 declaration of incontestability. The current USPTO fee for a Section 15 declaration is $250 per class. When a Section 8 declaration and Section 15 declaration are filed together, the combined government filing fees are currently $575 per class.

Missing a normal maintenance filing window can result in additional grace-period fees. If the required maintenance documents are not ultimately filed, the registration can be canceled or allowed to expire.

Trademark owners can review current maintenance and renewal fees through the USPTO Trademark Fee Information page.

How Much Should You Budget for Trademark Registration?

There is no single trademark registration cost that applies to every business.

A relatively straightforward, one-class application based on current use may require only the $350 USPTO base application fee on the government-fee side. A two-class application would generally start at $700, while a three-class application would generally start at $1,050.

An intent-to-use application may require additional fees before registration because the applicant will eventually need to demonstrate use or request additional time to begin using the mark. Other expenses can arise from attorney services, trademark searches, application surcharges, Office Action responses, or other issues specific to the application.

For that reason, businesses should think about trademark registration as a process rather than a single filing fee.

Can You Reduce Trademark Registration Costs?

Although some trademark registration expenses are unavoidable, careful preparation can help prevent unnecessary costs.

Using an appropriate description from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual, when one accurately describes the applicant's goods or services, can help avoid the additional fee associated with using a free-form identification. Providing all of the information required for the base application can similarly help prevent additional application fees.

A trademark clearance search before filing may also help identify significant conflicts before nonrefundable government filing fees are paid. Although a search cannot guarantee registration, it can provide applicants with more information about potential obstacles before they invest further in an application or brand.

Applicants should also carefully consider the scope of protection they actually need. Filing unnecessary classes can increase the initial cost, while omitting important goods or services may result in protection that does not adequately reflect the business.

Understanding Trademark Registration Cost Before You File

The federal trademark registration cost in 2026 starts at $350 per class for most applications filed directly with the USPTO under Sections 1 and 44, but the ultimate cost can vary considerably.

The number of classes, filing basis, application preparation, proof-of-use requirements, legal issues, and professional fees can all affect the final amount. Businesses should therefore consider both the immediate application fee and the potential expenses that may arise throughout the registration process.

Taking the time to evaluate a mark, determine the appropriate goods and services, and understand the filing strategy before submitting an application can help businesses avoid unnecessary expenses and make better decisions about protecting their brands.

If you are considering registering a trademark or have questions about the costs associated with protecting your brand, Stockman & Poropat, PLLC can help evaluate your application and guide you through the federal trademark registration process.

For additional information about the process, see our guides on How Long Does Trademark Registration Take?, Trademark vs. Copyright: What's the Difference?, and How to Register a Trademark in New York.