How Much Does a Trademark Cost in 2026? Federal, State, and Renewal Fees Explained

A trademark is one of the most important tools a business can use to protect its brand. It helps customers recognize the source of your goods or services, and it can reduce the risk of another business adopting a confusingly similar name, logo, or slogan.

But the cost of a trademark is not a single number. The total depends on how you file, how many classes of goods or services you need, whether your application is complete, and whether you hire an attorney or filing service. If you are budgeting for brand protection, it helps to understand both the upfront and long-term costs before you file.

Trademark cost at a glance

Here is the short version:

• The USPTO base application filing fee is $350 per class for Section 1 and Section 44 applications, if the application meets the requirements.
• Additional USPTO fees can apply if your application is incomplete or uses custom goods-and-services language.
• If you file on an intent-to-use basis, you will usually pay more later when you submit use-related documents.
• After registration, you must pay maintenance fees to keep the trademark alive.
• Attorney fees and filing service fees are separate from government filing fees and can vary widely.

If you want the official fee schedule, the USPTO keeps it updated on its trademark fee information page and fee schedule.

What is a trademark?

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, design, or combination that identifies your goods or services and distinguishes them from others in the marketplace. A service mark does the same thing for services.

In practical terms, a trademark is what helps customers connect your brand name or logo with your business. It can protect a company name on packaging, a logo on products, a slogan in advertising, or a brand name used for services.

A trademark is not the same as owning a word in every context. Protection is tied to the specific goods or services listed in your application, which is why the filing process matters so much.

Why trademark cost varies

The final cost depends on several variables, not just the filing fee.

1. The number of classes you need

The USPTO organizes trademarks into 45 international classes. The class system is how the government groups goods and services and calculates most filing fees.

If your business only needs one class, your filing cost is lower than if your brand covers multiple product lines or service categories. For example, clothing and custom printing services fall into different classes, so they require separate fees.

2. Your filing basis

You can file based on current use in commerce or a bona fide intent to use the mark later.

If you are already using the trademark in interstate commerce, you may file on a use-in-commerce basis. If you are not using it yet but plan to, you may file on an intent-to-use basis. That choice can affect your total cost because additional filings and fees may come later.

3. The completeness of the application

The USPTO charges additional fees when an application does not meet certain requirements, includes custom identifications of goods or services, or uses lengthy descriptions. A cleaner application is generally cheaper and faster to process.

4. Whether you hire professional help

A trademark application can be filed on your own, but many business owners pay for legal review or filing support. That added help can reduce mistakes, but it also raises the total cost.

Federal trademark filing fees

For many businesses, the main starting point is the USPTO base filing fee.

Base application fee

The current base application filing fee is $350 per class for Section 1 and Section 44 applications, assuming the application meets the requirements.

That means:

• One class = $350
• Two classes = $700
• Three classes = $1,050

This is why the scope of your goods and services matters. A broader application usually costs more because each class is charged separately.

Additional USPTO application fees

The USPTO also lists additional fees that can increase your total:

• $100 per class for insufficient information
• $200 per class for using the free-form text box instead of the Trademark ID Manual to identify goods and services
• $200 per affected class for each additional group of 1,000 characters beyond the first 1,000 in the free-form text box

These fees are one reason many applicants try to use clear, standardized identifications of goods and services. A more complete filing can be cheaper and easier to review.

Why classes matter so much

Classes are one of the biggest drivers of trademark cost.

The USPTO uses the international class system to organize goods and services. The goods-and-services description must be specific enough for examiners to understand what you are protecting, and the fee is tied to the number of classes in your application.

For example:

• A T-shirt brand may fit into one class.
• A business that sells apparel and also provides printing services may need two classes.
• A brand that covers software, consulting, and educational services may need multiple classes.

The more classes you need, the more you pay in filing fees and, eventually, maintenance fees.

Intent-to-use applications cost more later

Many founders file before they have started using the trademark in commerce. That is common, especially for new brands preparing to launch.

If you file on an intent-to-use basis, you may owe additional fees later in the process:

• $150 per class when you file an amendment to allege use or a statement of use
• $125 per class if you request an extension of time to file a statement of use

This means the real cost of an intent-to-use application is usually more than the initial filing fee. It can still be a smart strategy, but it should be part of your budget from day one.

State trademark costs

Some businesses look at state trademarks because the upfront filing cost is often lower than a federal registration.

A state trademark may be a fit if you operate only in one state and do not need nationwide protection. However, state trademark rights are limited geographically, and the filing rules vary by state.

Federal registration is generally broader and more widely recognized, which is why many growing businesses choose the federal route even though it costs more.

If you are deciding between state and federal protection, consider where you do business now, where you plan to expand, and how much protection your brand needs.

Attorney and filing service costs

Government fees are only part of the total.

Many applicants also pay for:

• Trademark clearance searches
• Attorney review of the mark and filing strategy
• Application preparation and filing
• Responses to USPTO office actions
• Ongoing portfolio management

Attorney fees can range from a few hundred dollars for basic support to several thousand dollars for more complex matters. Filing service fees vary as well.

For straightforward applications, professional help may save time and reduce filing mistakes. For more complex brands, a legal review can be worth the added expense because an incomplete or poorly scoped application can create delays and extra costs.

Renewal and maintenance costs

Trademark costs do not end after registration.

To keep a federal trademark active, you must file maintenance documents at regular intervals and pay the associated fees.

Common maintenance fees

The USPTO currently lists these maintenance costs:

• $325 per class for the five-year declaration of use, also known as a Section 8 or Section 71 declaration
• $100 per class for the grace period fee if you file late
• $575 per class for the five-year declaration combined with a declaration of incontestability
• $650 per class for the 10-year renewal combined with the five-year declaration
• $100 per class for the 10-year renewal grace period fee
• $250 per class for a declaration of incontestability

If you miss certain deadlines, your registration can be canceled or expire. That is why trademark owners should track filing dates carefully, not just the initial registration date.

The long-term cost of owning a trademark

A trademark can be relatively affordable at the start and much more expensive over time if you maintain multiple classes.

For example, a one-class mark may start with a $350 filing fee, but the owner will still need to budget for maintenance filings years later. A brand with two or more classes will pay those fees on each class, which can add up quickly.

Typical cost scenarios

Here are a few common examples to help with budgeting.

Scenario 1: A simple one-class filing

If you file one class, use standardized goods or services language, and do not need extra filings, your government cost may start at $350.

If you also hire an attorney or filing service, your total will be higher.

Scenario 2: A startup with two classes

A company that needs two classes would start at $700 in base filing fees. If the application also needs additional filings later because it is intent-to-use, the total will rise further.

Scenario 3: A brand with long-term protection

A trademark owner may pay the initial filing fee, later pay statement-of-use fees, and eventually pay maintenance fees at the five-year and 10-year marks. Over the life of the registration, the total cost can easily move from hundreds of dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the number of classes and whether professional help is used.

Common mistakes that increase trademark cost

Many avoidable errors create extra expense.

Choosing the wrong class

If you file in the wrong class, you may have to amend, refile, or file additional classes later.

Using vague goods-and-services descriptions

Vague terms can trigger office actions, delay approval, or create extra USPTO fees.

Filing before doing a clearance search

A basic search may reveal a conflict before you spend money on a filing that is likely to be refused.

Missing deadlines

Late maintenance filings, statement-of-use deadlines, and office action deadlines can all increase costs.

Underbudgeting for the full lifecycle

The initial filing fee is only one part of the cost. Good trademark planning includes both registration and maintenance.

How to budget for a trademark

If you are building a new brand, a simple budgeting approach is to estimate the following:

• USPTO filing fees
• Any additional class fees
• Possible intent-to-use fees later in the process
• Attorney or filing service fees
• Maintenance fees in future years

For a startup, this usually means treating trademark cost as a lifecycle expense rather than a one-time purchase.

How Zenind can help founders

Trademark planning often starts right after business formation. If you are launching a new company, Zenind can help you handle the formation side so you can focus on brand-building, compliance, and growth.

A solid formation workflow makes it easier to move from business name selection to brand protection with fewer delays. That matters because the best trademark strategy starts with a clean, organized business foundation.

FAQs

Is it cheaper to trademark a name or a logo?

The USPTO fee structure is based on classes and filing details, not simply whether you file a name or a logo. The total cost can be similar, but the right filing strategy depends on how you use the mark.

Can I trademark my business name and my logo separately?

Yes. Many businesses choose to protect both the word mark and the logo. Depending on your strategy, that can mean separate applications and separate fees.

What is the cheapest way to file a trademark?

The cheapest path is usually a simple, well-prepared application with one class and no avoidable errors. But the lowest upfront cost is not always the best long-term value if the filing is too narrow or incomplete.

Do I need an attorney to file?

No, but legal help can be valuable if your mark is important to your brand, your goods or services are complex, or you want help reducing the risk of refusal.

Final takeaway

The cost of a trademark is determined by more than the first filing fee. Your total depends on the number of classes, your filing basis, whether your application is complete, and how much help you use along the way.

For many businesses, the realistic answer is that a trademark can cost a few hundred dollars at the simplest end and several thousand dollars over the life of the registration. The best way to control cost is to choose the right classes, prepare a clear application, and budget for maintenance from the beginning.