Trademark Registration USA Cost: Fees, Filing Costs, and What to Expect
Understanding the trademark registration USA cost is an important first step for businesses that want to protect a brand name, logo, slogan, or other trademark in the United States. The total cost is not necessarily limited to the government filing fee. It can also include additional USPTO fees, professional fees, trademark searches, responses to Office Actions, and future maintenance filings.
As of 2026, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) generally charges a base application fee of $350 per international class of goods or services for applications filed under Section 1 or Section 44 that satisfy the base application requirements. Additional fees can apply depending on the application and filing basis.
For businesses planning their intellectual property budget, knowing how much to register a trademark in the USA requires looking beyond the initial application fee.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Trademark in the USA?
The basic USPTO application fee is currently $350 per class for qualifying electronic applications filed under Section 1 or Section 44.
For example:
The fee is calculated per class, not simply per trademark. A business seeking protection for one mark across several different classes may therefore pay substantially more than a business filing in only one class.
The $350 figure is the base filing fee. Depending on how the application is prepared and the filing basis selected, additional fees may apply.
Trademark Registration USA Cost
What Is the Cost of Registering a Trademark in the USA?
The cost of registering a trademark in the USA can be divided into several categories:
- USPTO application fees
- Additional application fees
- Trademark search costs
- Professional service or attorney fees
- Intent-to-use fees, where applicable
- Office Action response costs, if required
- Post-registration maintenance fees
- Renewal fees
Not every applicant will incur every cost.
A straightforward application may primarily involve the USPTO filing fee and, if desired, professional assistance. A more complicated application may require additional work and therefore a significantly larger overall budget.
USPTO Trademark Application Fee
The USPTO's current base application fee is $350 per class for applications under Sections 1 and 44 that meet the applicable base requirements.
This represents the main government cost when submitting a new U.S. trademark application.
However, applicants should not assume that $350 is an all-inclusive trademark registration price.
The USPTO introduced additional fees associated with incomplete applications and certain identification-of-goods-and-services issues. The purpose is to encourage applicants to provide complete information and appropriate descriptions when filing.
Additional USPTO Fees
Certain applications can incur additional fees beyond the $350 base fee.
Insufficient Information Fee
If required information is missing from a Section 1 or Section 44 application, the USPTO can charge an additional $100 per class.
For example, if an application covers three classes and incurs the additional fee for each class, the surcharge could be $300.
Free-Form Identification Fee
Applicants generally use the USPTO's Trademark ID Manual to identify goods and services.
If an applicant instead uses the free-form text option for the identification of goods or services, an additional $200 per class can apply.
Additional Length Fee
For affected classes, each additional group of 1,000 characters beyond the first 1,000 characters in a free-form identification can result in another $200 fee.
These fees demonstrate why preparing the application carefully can have a direct impact on the overall trademark registration USA cost.
Trademark Registration Costs in the USA
How Filing Basis Affects Trademark Registration Cost
Another important factor is the legal basis used for the application.
Common filing bases include:
- Section 1(a) — use in commerce
- Section 1(b) — intent to use
- Section 44 — certain foreign application or registration-based filings
- Section 66(a) — Madrid Protocol extension to the United States
The fees and filing requirements can differ depending on the basis.
Use in Commerce
A business that is already using the trademark in qualifying U.S. commerce may be able to file based on current use.
The applicant must provide the information and evidence required by the USPTO, including an appropriate specimen showing use of the mark in commerce.
Intent to Use
A business that has not yet begun qualifying use of the trademark in commerce may potentially file on an intent-to-use basis if it has a bona fide intention to use the mark.
This can reduce the need to wait until commercial use begins before seeking protection, but it can also create additional costs later.
For an intent-to-use application, the applicant must eventually submit an Amendment to Allege Use or Statement of Use, with a current USPTO fee of $150 per class. If additional time is needed to submit the Statement of Use, a six-month extension request currently costs $125 per class.
Therefore, the initial filing fee does not necessarily represent the complete government cost of an intent-to-use application.
How Much Does It Cost to File a Trademark?
If the question is simply how much does it cost to file a trademark, the current basic answer is:
$350 per class for a qualifying electronic Section 1 or Section 44 application.
However, this should be treated as the base government filing fee rather than a guaranteed total project cost.
For example, a business filing one straightforward application in one class may start with:
- USPTO base filing fee: $350
- Trademark search: optional or professionally provided
- Attorney or professional fees: variable
- Additional USPTO fees: potentially applicable
A company filing in three classes would start with $1,050 in USPTO base filing fees.
The more classes included, the more important it becomes to select the appropriate goods and services carefully.
Cost of Trademark in the USA
Trademark Registration USA Cost by Number of Classes
The number of international classes is one of the most significant factors affecting the cost.
Consider a company selling branded clothing and also providing a separate service under the same brand.
The goods and services may fall into different international classes. If two classes are required, the base application fee would generally be:
2 × $350 = $700
If three classes are required:
3 × $350 = $1,050
The applicant should not automatically add as many classes as possible. Each class should correspond to goods or services for which protection is actually appropriate.
Choosing classes strategically can help control costs while keeping the trademark application aligned with the business's actual and planned activities.
Trademark Search Costs
A trademark search is not the same as the USPTO filing fee.
Before filing, applicants often conduct searches to identify potentially conflicting marks. This can include:
- Exact-name searches
- Similar-name searches
- Phonetic searches
- Logo searches
- Related goods and services
- Common-law use
- Federal registrations
- Pending applications
The USPTO filing fee does not include a private comprehensive trademark search.
A basic search may be performed using publicly available resources, while a professional search may involve additional databases and legal analysis.
The cost varies depending on the provider and scope of the search.
Although a search increases the upfront budget, identifying potential conflicts before filing can help applicants make more informed decisions about the proposed mark.
Attorney and Professional Fees
Professional fees are separate from USPTO government fees.
A trademark attorney or specialist may assist with:
- Trademark availability analysis
- Classification of goods and services
- Application preparation
- Filing strategy
- Evidence and specimens
- Office Action responses
- Opposition proceedings
- Intent-to-use filings
- Maintenance and renewal
Professional fees vary considerably depending on the complexity of the matter and the service provider.
A straightforward application may require less professional work than a trademark involving multiple classes, international ownership, complex goods and services, or a substantive USPTO objection.
Therefore, businesses should distinguish between the government fee and the total professional cost when budgeting for trademark registration.
Cost to File a Trademark
Cost of Registering a Trademark in the USA for Foreign Applicants
Foreign businesses can also seek U.S. trademark protection, but the filing process can involve additional considerations.
For example, foreign-domiciled applicants generally have specific representation requirements before the USPTO. Applicants should confirm the current rules applicable to their circumstances before filing.
The filing basis also affects the process.
A foreign applicant may potentially qualify for filing under Section 44 based on a qualifying foreign application or registration, while businesses using the Madrid Protocol may have a Section 66(a) extension of protection.
The USPTO currently lists a $600 per-class fee for applications filed with WIPO under Section 66(a).
This should not be confused with the separate fees associated with the Madrid System itself.
Trademark Maintenance Costs After Registration
The trademark registration USA cost does not end when the application is approved.
A registered trademark must be maintained through periodic filings.
For example, a Section 8 declaration of continued use is generally required between the fifth and sixth anniversaries of registration. The current USPTO electronic filing fee is $325 per class for a timely Section 8 declaration.
A registration can be canceled if the required filing is not submitted within the applicable period.
Ten-Year Renewal
At the ten-year stage, the registrant generally files the combined Section 8 declaration and Section 9 renewal.
The current electronic fee for the combined filing is $650 per class.
The same general ten-year maintenance cycle continues afterward.
This means businesses should consider trademark protection as a long-term intellectual property expense rather than a one-time registration cost.
Understanding How Much to Register a Trademark in the USA
Example of a Trademark Registration Budget
Suppose a company wants to register one brand name for products covered by two international classes.
A simplified government-fee calculation could look like this:
This example illustrates why the answer to how much to register a trademark in the USA depends on more than the initial $350 filing fee.
Professional Support for U.S. Trademark Registration
Trademark registration involves both legal and administrative considerations, particularly for international businesses entering the U.S. market.
Professional support can help with trademark searches, classification, application preparation, documentation, and ongoing registration requirements. Businesses should also distinguish between USPTO government fees and service-provider fees when comparing trademark registration packages.
For international entrepreneurs looking to protect their brands in the United States, Offshore Company Corp can assist with intellectual property-related services and broader international business requirements.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Trademark requirements and fees can change, so readers should consult qualified professionals and verify current USPTO requirements before filing.
Subscirbe To Our Updates
About Us
We are always proud of being an experienced Financial and Corporate Services provider in the international market. We provide the best and most competitive value to you as valued customers to transform your goals into a solution with a clear action plan. Our Solution, Your Success.
Learn more