How much Does Trademarking Cost
The USPTO base electronic application fee under Sections 1 or 44 is $350 per class. Your total may also include attorney fees, application surcharges, later use-related filings, and maintenance. Fee information reviewed October 18, 2026.
| Example | Base USPTO fee | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| One mark, one class | $350 | One application, with no additional charges. |
| One mark, two classes | $700 | One application covering two classes, with no additional charges. |
| A name and a separate logo, one class each | $700 | Two separate applications, one class each, with no additional charges. |
These examples exclude professional fees, surcharges, later filings, and maintenance. An allegation of use currently costs $150 per class; a six-month statement-of-use extension costs $125 per class. Check current USPTO trademark fees before paying.
How much will it cost with an attorney?
Carson Patents provides a written quote for the requested work. Confirm whether the quote covers searching, preparation, filing, office-action responses, later use filings, and government fees. Prepare your trademark information or schedule a free trademark consultation for a scope-specific quote.
What Affects the Total Cost to Trademark a Name or Logo?
The cost to register a trademark such as a business name, brand name, logo, slogan, or other distinctive sight, smell, or sound varies depending on several factors. These factors include the kind of trademark application, the desired versions of a mark, complexity of the trademark application, the number of classes, the jurisdiction, and whether you choose to work with an attorney.
Kind of Trademark Application
Sections 1(a) use-in-commerce and 1(b) intent-to-use applications have the same $350-per-class base electronic application fee. An intent-to-use application can incur later allegation-of-use and extension fees before registration. The filing basis should reflect the facts, rather than an assumed lower initial fee. USPTO filing-basis guidance.
Desired Versions of a Mark
Additionally, there are different versions of your mark that you may want to trademark, which will affect the total cost. You may want to file to register and protect both the words of a name and/or a stylized logo version with special formatting or both black and white and color versions of a logo. The applicant’s desires for filing trademark registrations vary; therefore, so do the costs.
While any combination of business names, brand names, logos, slogans, or other distinctive sights, smells, or sounds can be registered, each mark requires its own registration application and filing fees are per class of use.
Complexity of a Trademark Application
Fanciful, arbitrary, and suggestive marks can be inherently distinctive. Merely descriptive matter may require acquired-distinctiveness evidence for the Principal Register or consideration of the Supplemental Register when eligible. Generic terms for the relevant goods or services cannot be registered as trademarks.
Potential conflicts, specimen issues, and the goods or services identified can add legal work and expense. A search assesses risk; it cannot guarantee approval or freedom from infringement.
Number of Classes
In the context of trademark registration, a “class” refers to a category of goods or services for which the mark is used or intended to be used. The international classification system, known as the Nice Classification, categorizes goods and services into 45 classes. The number of classes associated with a trademark application can have a direct impact on the cost of the application. Government filing fees are typically charged based on the number of classes covered by the application. The USPTO charges an additional filing fee for each additional class. Therefore, the more classes you include in your application, the higher the government filing fees.
Jurisdiction
Different countries have varying regulations, procedures, and fee structures for trademark registration. Each country has its own schedule of government filing fees for trademark applications. The cost of filing a trademark application can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. Some countries charge a flat fee, while others may charge based on the number of classes, the type of application (e.g., online or paper), or other factors. The procedures and requirements for trademark applications differ among jurisdictions, as some jurisdictions have streamlined online systems that may be more cost-effective, while others may have more complex processes that require additional documentation and may incur higher costs.
Additionally, the examination process conducted by the trademark office varies by jurisdiction. Some offices may have more rigorous examination procedures, leading to potential challenges and additional costs if the application faces objections or refusals.
Professional Legal Guidance
Filing a trademark registration application can be done yourself. This can potentially minimize the cost of registering a trademark if done correctly. However, if incomplete or done incorrectly, legal assistance will likely be necessary. It is advised to begin the trademark registration process with professional legal guidance or assistance to avoid the need to bring in a trademark attorney in the middle of the process.
Attorney Fees
If you choose to work with professional guidance, attorney fees will vary widely. Some attorneys charge hourly rates, while others may offer flat-fee packages for specific services, such as conducting a trademark search, preparing and filing the application, and responding to office actions. It is important to consult with potential attorneys and obtain a clear understanding of their fee structure, the services included, and any additional costs that may arise. While the cost of hiring an attorney adds to the overall expense, their expertise can be valuable in navigating the complexities of trademark law, increasing the likelihood of a successful registration, and avoiding potential legal issues.
Keep in mind that costs can vary significantly, and it is advisable to obtain quotes from different attorneys or firms to make an informed decision based on your specific needs and budget. Additionally, consider the long-term costs associated with maintaining and enforcing your trademark rights after registration.
Carson Patents Attorney Fees
Carson Patents’ published typical attorney-fee range is $880–$2,400. The written engagement letter controls the scope and quote for your matter, including which search, application, filing, monitoring, or response work is included. Government fees and later services are separate unless expressly included.
The USPTO base electronic application fee under Sections 1 or 44 is $350 per class, with possible additional charges. See current USPTO trademark fees. Qualifying clients may receive our 25% discount on professional fees; the discount does not reduce USPTO charges.
When to Apply to Register a Trademark
Applying Before or After Launching Your Mark
You do not need to wait years before seeking trademark registration. Conduct appropriate clearance before investing in a brand, then select a filing basis that matches your circumstances. A Section 1(a) application requires qualifying use in commerce and supporting evidence. A Section 1(b) intent-to-use application allows filing before qualifying use begins when the applicant has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce. Proof of use is supplied later at the required stage; choosing this basis does not place a mark on the Supplemental Register.
An intent-to-use application ordinarily proceeds through examination and publication before a Notice of Allowance. A statement of use or timely extension request is then required within six months of the Notice of Allowance. Up to five qualifying six-month extensions can permit a maximum of 36 months from that notice. A Notice of Allowance is not a registration. USPTO filing-basis guidance.
Important Tip: A trademark clearance search and common law search is highly recommended prior to using a newly selected name or image. A trademark attorney can conduct a clearance search and common law search for you.
Carson Patents
Business Name Registration and Federal Trademark Rights
State entity-name registration, a DBA, domain ownership, and federal trademark registration serve different purposes. Availability in a state registry does not establish trademark clearance or grant permission to infringe earlier rights. State registration is not a prerequisite to a federal trademark application.
Trademark clearance should consider similar marks, related goods or services, federal records, and relevant unregistered uses. Learn about brand-name selection and business names versus trademarks.
Kinds of Local Registration — DBA (Doing Business As) and State Trademark Registration
A DBA or fictitious-business-name filing identifies a name under which a person or entity does business. Requirements differ by jurisdiction. A state trademark registration may provide benefits under that state’s law; it does not substitute for federal registration.
Neither a DBA nor an entity-name filing proves that a mark is available for federal registration. Conversely, some unregistered marks can be enforced under applicable law. The scope of rights and the proper forum depend on the claim and facts. See USPTO state-trademark resources.
How Much Does it Cost to Trademark a Name in California?
How much does a trademark cost for a business name in California? The filing fee is $70 per class. The trademark fee schedule and all of the required forms are available online on the California Secretary of States’ “Forms and Fees” webpage.
Advantages of USPTO Trademark Registration
Principal Register registration can provide nationwide statutory presumptions and other benefits, subject to prior rights and legal limits. Supplemental Register benefits differ. Federal registration may support enforcement and international filing strategies, but it does not guarantee noninfringement, automatically register a mark abroad, or eliminate the need to police and maintain rights. See the Principal and Supplemental Registers.
Note that the costs to trademark a name under the USPTO do not include the costs of any state or international trademark registration.
Online Attorney Support Available for Filing Your Trademark Registration Application
The budget for trademark registration depends on the number of marks and classes, the filing basis, applicable surcharges, and the work required. The USPTO base electronic application fee under Sections 1 or 44 is $350 per class; professional fees are separate.
Carson Patents can assist with four steps to trademark registration, including appropriate searches, application preparation and filing, and responses to USPTO communications. Complete our intake form or schedule a free trademark consultation to discuss your mark and obtain a quote. Review our trademark scam warning before paying unsolicited invoices.
