Question 1

How much does it cost to register a trademark in 2026?

Accepted Answer

USPTO trademark registration costs in 2026 range from $250 to $350 per class for the initial filing fee (TEAS Plus: $250 per class; TEAS Standard: $350 per class). Adding attorney fees for a full-service registration typically costs $1,500 to $3,000 in legal fees. A single-class trademark registered by an attorney using TEAS Plus costs approximately $1,750 to $3,250 total for the initial filing. Over 10 years including the Section 8 and 9 maintenance filings, total costs range from $2,500 to $6,000 per class.

Question 2

What is the difference between TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard?

Accepted Answer

TEAS Plus costs $250 per class and requires selecting goods and services from the USPTO pre-approved ID Manual. It has stricter requirements but lower fees and typically results in faster examination. TEAS Standard costs $350 per class and allows custom descriptions of goods and services, giving more flexibility but costing $100 more per class. TEAS Plus is the better choice for most applicants because the ID Manual covers most commercial goods and services. Both are filed through the USPTO TEAS electronic filing system.

Question 3

How many trademark classes do I need?

Accepted Answer

You need one class for each distinct category of goods or services you want to protect. The USPTO uses the Nice Classification system with 45 classes (1-34 for goods, 35-45 for services). Common examples: Class 25 (clothing), Class 35 (retail/business services), Class 41 (education/entertainment), Class 9 (computer software). Each class requires a separate filing fee. A clothing brand selling both apparel (Class 25) and online retail services (Class 35) would need to file in both classes, costing $500 to $700 for government fees alone.

Question 4

What are trademark maintenance fees and when are they due?

Accepted Answer

After registration, trademark owners must file maintenance documents to keep their trademark alive. Between years 5 and 6 after registration, file a Declaration of Use (Section 8) for $225 per class. Between years 9 and 10, file a combined Section 8 and Section 9 renewal for $425 per class ($300 renewal + $125 Section 8). Thereafter, renew every 10 years with the same combined filing. Missing these deadlines results in cancellation. Grace period filings within 6 months of the deadline incur a $100 per class surcharge.

Question 5

What is a trademark office action and how much does it cost to respond?

Accepted Answer

An office action is a letter from the USPTO examiner raising objections to your application. About 60 to 70 percent of trademark applications receive at least one office action. You have 3 months to respond (extendable to 6 months for $125 per class per extension). Simple office actions can be self-responded; complex likelihood of confusion refusals require attorney assistance. Attorney fees for responding to a non-final office action typically range from $500 to $2,000 depending on complexity. Failure to respond within the deadline results in abandonment of your application.

Question 6

Can I trademark a name or logo myself without an attorney?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can file a trademark application yourself (pro se) through the USPTO TEAS system. However, the USPTO strongly recommends using a licensed US attorney. Approval rates for represented applicants are significantly higher. Key risks of self-filing include: choosing the wrong class or description leading to rejection, missing office action deadlines, not conducting a comprehensive search beforehand, and creating a weak mark that is difficult to enforce. The $500 to $1,500 saved on attorney fees often costs more in failed applications and re-filing costs.

Question 7

How long does the trademark registration process take?

Accepted Answer

As of 2026, USPTO trademark examination takes approximately 8 to 12 months from filing to first office action or approval for use-based applications. Applications that receive office actions add another 3 to 12 months. Intent-to-use applications require filing a Statement of Use after the mark is actually used in commerce, adding more time. Total time from filing to registration typically ranges from 12 to 24 months for straightforward applications. Rush examination (Petitions to Make Special) can accelerate the process in limited circumstances.

Question 8

What is an intent-to-use trademark application?

Accepted Answer

An intent-to-use (ITU) application allows you to file a trademark application before you have actually started using the mark in commerce. This secures your priority date while you prepare to launch. The mark will not register until you file a Statement of Use (SOU) or an Amendment to Allege Use showing actual use. Each 6-month extension to file the SOU costs $125 per class. You can request up to 5 extensions (30 months total). The benefit is reserving your mark and priority date ahead of your launch.

Question 9

Does a trademark protect me nationwide?

Accepted Answer

A federally registered trademark (USPTO) provides nationwide priority and protection, along with the right to use the R circle symbol. It creates a legal presumption of your ownership and exclusive right to use the mark in connection with the registered goods and services. Importantly, federal registration does not protect you in other countries. To protect your trademark internationally, you need separate applications in each country or use the Madrid Protocol system (WIPO) to file in multiple countries through a single international application.

Question 10

How much does a trademark attorney cost?

Accepted Answer

Trademark attorney fees vary widely. A comprehensive trademark search and clearance opinion costs $500 to $1,500. Filing a single-class application with full attorney service costs $1,000 to $2,500 in attorney fees plus USPTO filing fees. Office action responses cost $500 to $2,000 depending on complexity. Total attorney fees for a straightforward single-class registration from search to certificate typically range from $1,500 to $3,500. Online trademark service providers (LegalZoom, Trademark Engine) charge $299 to $699 plus filing fees for basic filing services with limited legal review.

Question 11

What happens if someone files a trademark opposition?

Accepted Answer

After your application is approved by the examiner, it is published in the Official Gazette for 30 days. During this window, any third party who believes your trademark will harm them can file an opposition at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Opposition proceedings are similar to federal court litigation and can cost $5,000 to $50,000 or more in attorney fees depending on complexity. Most oppositions settle through consent agreements or coexistence agreements. About 5 to 10 percent of published applications face opposition.

Question 12

What is the Nice Classification system for trademarks?

Accepted Answer

The Nice Classification (NCL) is an international system of 45 classes used to categorize goods and services for trademark registration. Classes 1 through 34 cover goods (chemicals, clothing, food, electronics, etc.) and Classes 35 through 45 cover services (advertising, retail, education, legal services, etc.). The USPTO requires applicants to identify the specific class or classes in which they are filing. Filing in the wrong class provides no protection for your actual goods or services, so selecting the correct class is critical.

Question 13

What is the total 10-year cost to maintain a trademark?

Accepted Answer

The total government fee cost to maintain a single-class trademark over 10 years is approximately $900 to $1,050. This includes: initial TEAS Plus filing ($250) + Section 8 filing at year 5-6 ($225) + Section 8 and 9 renewal at year 9-10 ($425). With attorney fees for each filing, total 10-year costs typically range from $2,500 to $5,000 per class. After the first 10-year period, the Section 8 and 9 renewal every 10 years costs $425 in government fees plus attorney fees.

Factor	TEAS Plus	TEAS Standard
Filing fee per class	$250	$350
Goods/services description	Must use pre-approved ID Manual	Custom descriptions allowed
Flexibility	Lower flexibility	Higher flexibility
Office action rate	Lower (pre-approved IDs)	Slightly higher
Best for	Standard commercial goods/services	Novel or complex descriptions
Savings vs Standard	$100/class	—

Fee Type	Amount	When Due
TEAS Plus initial filing	$250/class	At filing
TEAS Standard initial filing	$350/class	At filing
ITU Extension of Time (SOA)	$125/class/extension	Before use deadline (max 5x)
Statement of Use (ITU)	$150/class	When use in commerce begins
Section 8 Declaration (year 5-6)	$225/class	Between years 5 and 6
Section 8 Grace Period surcharge	$100/class	If filed in 6-month grace period
Section 9 Renewal (year 9-10)	$300/class	Between years 9 and 10
Section 8+9 combined	$525/class	Between years 9 and 10
OA response extension (3-6 mo)	$125/class	If 3-month extension needed

Factor	Self-File (Pro Se)	Full Attorney	Online Service
Initial cost	$250–$350	$1,750–$3,850	$549–$1,049
Approval rate	Lower	Significantly higher	Moderate
Class selection accuracy	Higher risk of error	Best	Moderate
OA handling	Risky without legal knowledge	Full representation	Extra charges apply
Best for	Simple marks, experienced filers	Complex marks, important brands	Basic marks, limited budget

Trademark Registration Cost Calculator

Sources & Methodology

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Trademark in 2026?

TEAS Plus vs TEAS Standard: Which Should You File?

USPTO Filing Fees: Complete 2026 Schedule

The 10-Year Trademark Maintenance Cost Timeline

Nice Classification: The 45 Trademark Classes

Hidden Costs Most Trademark Guides Miss

Should You Use an Attorney or File Yourself?

Missing a Legal Calculator?