Trademark Filing Costs, Surcharges and Renewals

What trademark filing costs can include

For a U.S. trademark application, the base fee is typically $350 per class of goods or services. Your total can rise with surcharges, extra classes, and later maintenance filings. So, how much does it cost to file a trademark? A simple one-class application may start at $350, but that is not always the final bill.

The estimate should cover more than the first filing. You may pay more if your goods or services need a custom description, or if a description runs over the character limit. After registration, you must also file use declarations and renew the mark to keep it active.

These figures concern federal applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). They do not include legal fees or state filings. The USPTO fee page lists current charges and filing details.

• Base application: typically $350 for each class
• Custom goods or services description: possible $200 surcharge
• Description beyond 1,000 characters: possible $200 surcharge
• Maintenance and renewal: separate fees due after registration

Check the current USPTO trademark fee information before you file. Fees can change, and the fee page is the source for the agency’s current charges.

Base application fees and class costs

The base application fee is charged for each class of goods or services. A one-class filing at $350 has a $350 base cost. If you seek protection in two classes, the base fees alone would be $700.

A class groups related goods or services under the trademark system. For example, a business selling clothing and offering retail store services may need to consider more than one class. The right classes depend on what you actually sell or plan to sell.

Do not add classes simply to make an application seem broader. Each class adds cost, and you must have a proper basis for claiming the goods or services. A narrow, accurate list can keep the filing focused.

The filing fee generally is not refunded if the application is refused or abandoned. Before paying, check the owner name, mark, class choices, and goods or services. Mistakes can lead to added work and may not be easy to fix.

When surcharges may apply

A $200 surcharge may apply when you use a custom description for goods or services that does not appear in the USPTO Trademark ID Manual. The Manual contains pre-set terms for common items and services. Choosing a suitable listed term can help avoid this charge.

Sometimes the listed terms do not describe the offer well. In that case, a custom description may be needed. Make it clear and accurate, rather than broad or vague. A surcharge does not make an unclear description stronger.

A further $200 surcharge may apply when a goods or services description exceeds 1,000 characters. The length applies to the description, not simply the entire application. Long lists can push a filing past the limit.

Review every class description before submission. Remove repeated words and items that do not match the business. Do not cut key details just to shorten the text.

• Search the ID Manual for terms that match your actual goods or services.
• Use custom wording only when listed terms do not fit.
• Keep each class description concise and specific.
• Check the final character count before sending the application.

Maintenance fees after registration

Registration does not end the costs. Owners must file a declaration of use around the sixth year to show that the mark remains in use. The stated fee is increasing to $325 per class.

For a mark in two classes, that declaration fee would be $650 at $325 per class. The filing also requires the owner to identify goods or services still tied to the mark. Remove items no longer in use rather than claiming them without support.

Renewal fees apply every ten years. The stated renewal fee is also increasing slightly, to $325 per class. A two-class renewal would therefore cost $650 before any other charges.

Missed deadlines can put a registration at risk. Keep a record of the registration date and set reminders well ahead of each filing window. Check the fee schedule again when each deadline nears.

What changes the total cost?

The number of classes is one of the clearest cost drivers. A one-class application and a three-class application have different base fees. Each later maintenance filing also charges by class.

Your description can change the total, too. Custom terms may trigger a $200 surcharge, and descriptions over 1,000 characters may trigger another $200 charge. If both conditions apply, budget for both unless the current fee rules say otherwise.

Other actions can add costs. Fees for petitions and protests are also increasing by at least $100. Those costs depend on what happens in a specific case, so they are not part of every filing.

For example, a one-class application with both listed surcharges could reach $750 at filing: $350 plus $200 plus $200. That estimate excludes legal help and later maintenance. A two-class filing starts at $700 before surcharges, then adds class-based costs over time.

When asking what does it cost to file a trademark, separate the first bill from the long-term cost. Include filing fees, likely surcharges, and future maintenance. Also allow for possible petitions or protests if a dispute arises.

Ways to keep trademark filing fees down

Start by defining the goods and services you truly offer. Match them to the right classes, then search the ID Manual for accurate pre-set terms. This can help avoid needless classes and the custom-description surcharge.

Keep each description focused. A long list may add little value while risking the character surcharge. Remove outdated, duplicated, or unrelated items, but do not leave out goods or services that matter to the application.

Build a cost estimate before filing. Count the classes, check each description’s wording and length, and add any likely surcharges. Then note the sixth-year declaration and ten-year renewal fees.

Professional help may add an upfront cost, but it can be useful for complex ownership or class questions. Weigh that cost against the risk of mistakes and later disputes. The best estimate of how much it will cost to file a trademark includes both the first application and the work needed to keep registration active.

1. List the goods and services that need protection.
2. Choose only the classes that fit those offerings.
3. Use ID Manual terms where they accurately describe the offer.
4. Check for custom wording and descriptions over 1,000 characters.
5. Add future declaration and renewal fees to the budget.