If you are thinking about trademarking your brand name, logo, or slogan, the first practical question is usually the same: what is this actually going to cost? The answer is more straightforward than most people expect, but it depends on a few specific factors including how many classes of goods or services you are covering, whether you use an attorney, and how smoothly the application process goes.
This guide covers trademark cost and trademark filing fees in 2026 for US federal registration, along with the ongoing costs required to maintain the registration over time.
The Two Main Components of Trademark Cost
Government Fees and Professional Fees
USPTO Filing Fees
Every trademark application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office incurs a government fee. This is the baseline trademark filing cost and it does not change regardless of who files the application. The fee depends on the application type and the number of goods or services classes included.
Professional or Attorney Fees
Professional fees for trademark filing are optional but commonly used. A trademark attorney or professional filing service charges for their time preparing and reviewing the application. These fees are on top of the government fees and vary based on the complexity of the application and the service provider.
USPTO Trademark Filing Fees in 2026
| Application Type | Fee Per Class | When to Use It |
| TEAS Plus | $250 per class | When your goods or services fit the USPTO’s pre-approved descriptions |
| TEAS Standard | $350 per class | When you need a custom description of your goods or services |
| Intent-to-Use (same forms) | Same fees as above | When you plan to use the mark but have not started yet |
What a Class of Goods or Services Means
How Classes Affect Total Trademark Cost
The USPTO organizes goods and services into 45 distinct classes. Every trademark application specifies which classes it covers, and the filing fee is charged per class. A clothing brand filing in Class 25 (clothing) pays $250 for that one class. A brand that also sells accessories and online retail services may file in three classes and pay $750. Understanding exactly which classes you need before filing prevents both overpaying and leaving important uses unprotected.
Latest Blog: How Much Does Trademark Renewal Cost in 2026?
Attorney and Professional Service Fees
What Professional Help Typically Costs
Trademark Attorney Fees
Most trademark attorneys charge a flat fee for preparing and filing a straightforward trademark application, plus the government filing fees. For a simple one-class application, attorney fees typically run $500 to $1,000 on top of the $250 USPTO fee. Total cost for a professionally filed one-class TEAS Plus application generally falls between $750 and $1,500.
Online Filing Service Fees
Several online services offer trademark filing at lower rates than traditional attorneys, typically $150 to $400 per application plus government fees. These services can be appropriate for straightforward applications but may offer limited support if the application encounters issues during examination. For applications involving complex goods or services descriptions, logos, or multiple classes, professional attorney guidance tends to produce better outcomes.
Total Trademark Cost Scenarios
| Scenario | USPTO Fee | Professional Fee | Total Estimated Cost |
| DIY single class TEAS Plus, no issues | $250 | $0 | $250 |
| Online service single class TEAS Plus | $250 | $150 to $400 | $400 to $650 |
| Attorney single class TEAS Plus | $250 | $500 to $1,000 | $750 to $1,250 |
| Attorney single class TEAS Standard | $350 | $500 to $1,000 | $850 to $1,350 |
| Attorney two class TEAS Plus | $500 | $700 to $1,500 | $1,200 to $2,000 |
| Attorney three class TEAS Plus | $750 | $900 to $2,000 | $1,650 to $2,750 |
| With Office Action response needed | Filing fees above | $500 to $2,000 extra | Add $500 to $2,000 |
Additional Costs That Can Arise During the Application
Office Actions
What an Office Action Costs
An Office Action is a letter from the USPTO examiner identifying problems with your application that must be addressed before registration can proceed. Office Actions are common, particularly for applications filed without professional assistance. Responding to an Office Action requires either your own time and knowledge or attorney fees typically ranging from $500 to $2,000 depending on the complexity of the issues raised. Not responding to an Office Action results in abandonment of the application.
Opposition Proceedings
If Someone Opposes Your Mark
After your application passes examination, it is published for a 30-day opposition period during which third parties can oppose the registration. Most applications are not opposed. When they are, opposition proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board can be costly, involving attorney fees that range from a few thousand dollars for a negotiated settlement to tens of thousands for a contested proceeding.
Ongoing Trademark Maintenance Costs
What Trademark Registration Costs Over Time
Required Maintenance Filings
- Section 8 Declaration (years 5 to 6 after registration): $225 per class
- Section 15 Declaration (optional, after 5 years of continuous use): $225 per class
- Combined Section 8 and 9 (year 10 and every 10 years after): $550 per class
- Grace period filing surcharge (if any deadline is missed): $100 per class extra
Long-Term Cost Estimate for a Single Class Trademark
Over a 20-year period, the required government fees for maintaining a single-class trademark registration total approximately $1,325 (Section 8 at year 5 to 6 plus combined filings at years 10 and 20). Adding the optional Section 15 Declaration brings the total to $1,550. These are modest costs relative to the commercial value most established trademarks carry.
Is a Trademark Worth the Cost?
The Practical Calculation
What You Are Actually Paying For
A registered trademark gives you exclusive rights to use your brand identifier in connection with your goods or services across the United States, the legal standing to sue for infringement in federal court, the right to use the registered trademark symbol, the ability to block confusingly similar applications through the USPTO’s examination process, and access to brand protection programs on platforms like Amazon.
For any business that has invested in building brand recognition and intends to continue operating under that brand, the trademark cost is straightforward to justify. The cost of a forced rebrand, legal disputes over an unregistered mark, or competitor confusion caused by similar branding in your market will almost always exceed the cost of registration many times over.
Final Thoughts
Trademark filing fees in 2026 start at $250 per class for a TEAS Plus application. With professional assistance, most straightforward single-class applications cost between $750 and $1,500 all in. Multi-class applications and those encountering Office Actions cost more. Ongoing maintenance adds roughly $775 per class every ten years for required filings.
Understanding the full trademark cost picture before you file helps you budget correctly and make informed decisions about how many classes to include and whether to use professional assistance.
Trademark Tigers helps businesses file trademark applications correctly and efficiently. If you want to talk through what your specific application would cost and what it would involve, reach out to us today.
FAQs
1. How much does a trademark cost in 2026?
USPTO trademark filing fees are $250 per class for TEAS Plus and $350 per class for TEAS Standard applications. With attorney assistance, total costs typically run $750 to $1,500 for a single-class application. Multi-class applications and those requiring Office Action responses cost more.
2. What are trademark filing fees and how are they calculated?
Trademark filing fees are charged per class of goods or services. Each of the 45 USPTO trademark classes requires its own fee. A TEAS Plus application covering one class costs $250. The same application covering three classes costs $750. Selecting only the classes your business actually uses keeps costs proportionate.
3. Can I file a trademark myself to save money?
Yes. DIY trademark filing costs only the $250 or $350 USPTO fee. The risk is that application errors, incorrect goods or services descriptions, or unresolved conflicts can result in Office Actions or rejections that ultimately cost more to fix than professional help would have cost upfront.
4. What are the ongoing costs after a trademark is registered?
A Section 8 Declaration is required between years five and six at $225 per class. A combined Section 8 and 9 renewal is required at the ten-year mark at $550 per class. These are the required ongoing government fees. Attorney fees for preparing these filings are additional.
5. How many trademark classes do I need?
File in every class that covers goods or services you actually offer or plan to offer within the next few years. Registering in too few classes leaves gaps in your protection. Registering in unnecessary classes wastes money. A trademark attorney can help identify the right classes for your specific business.
