How Much Does It Cost to Trademark a Name in 2026? A Complete Breakdown

You came for a number. Here it is: in 2026, the USPTO’s base electronic filing fee is 350 dollars per class for qualifying Section 1 or Section 44 applications. Your real cost depends on classes, add‑on surcharges for incomplete or custom filings, and lifecycle work like intent‑to‑use and renewals. Always confirm amounts on the USPTO’s fee pages before you file.

We file U.S. trademarks every week. Below is the exact cost map we give founders and GCs before we start.

What is the base USPTO filing fee per class in 2026?

The base fee is 350 dollars per class for an electronic application that meets the USPTO’s requirements for Section 1 or Section 44 filings. See the USPTO’s current trademark fee information and fee schedule for the operative amounts and conditions.

• USPTO page: https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/trademark-fee-information
• USPTO fee schedule: https://www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment/uspto-fee-schedule

Two quick anchors:

• Fees are per class. If you file in three classes, multiply the per‑class amount by three.
• Non‑electronic trademark filings incur extra surcharges on top of the base fee. The schedule lists 400 dollar and 200 dollar surcharges depending on form type.

{{IMAGE: Simple side‑by‑side graphic of “1 class vs 2 classes vs 3 classes,” showing cost scales with classes | USPTO fees are per class, so costs scale linearly with classes }}

Which add‑on USPTO surcharges can raise your cost?

Beyond the base fee, three common USPTO surcharges can apply. These are rule‑based charges. If you trigger them, the system adds them to your bill.

• 100 dollars per class if the application lacks required information. Source: USPTO fee information page.
• 200 dollars per class if you use the free‑form description field instead of selecting from the USPTO’s ID Manual. Source: USPTO fee information page.
• 200 dollars for each additional 1,000 characters beyond the first 1,000 when you use that free‑form field. Source: USPTO fee information page.

One failure mode we see often: a founder pastes a long, custom product list. That can trigger the 200 dollars per class custom‑description surcharge, and, if the text runs long, another 200 dollars per additional 1,000 characters beyond the first 1,000. If the application also omits required details, the USPTO may add 100 dollars per class for insufficient information. On a two‑class filing, that can turn a clean 700 dollars base into 1,300 dollars in government fees.

Tip from practice: when your goods and services fit the ID Manual, use it. You avoid the custom‑description surcharge and the character‑count fee. If you truly need a tailored description, budget for the add‑ons.

How does “per class” affect your budget?

“Per class” refers to the Nice Classification system for goods and services. Most consumer brands touch more than one class. An apparel brand with a web shop might need Class 25 for clothing and Class 35 for online retail. That is two classes, so base fees double.

If you are unsure how many classes you need, read our plain‑English explainer on classes: Nice Classification: How to Choose the Right Trademark Classes. Smart classing saves money and avoids messy amendments later.

{{IMAGE: Process‑flow diagram showing: pick classes, choose ID Manual entries, draft specimens, file → examination → publication → registration | Filing plan steps that prevent avoidable surcharges }}

Filing intent‑to‑use? Budget for these extra fees.

If your mark is not yet in use in commerce, plan for intent‑to‑use (ITU) stage fees. As listed on the USPTO fee information page:

• 150 dollars per class for a Statement of Use or Amendment to Allege Use.
• 125 dollars per class for each extension of time to file a Statement of Use.
• 250 dollars to petition to revive if an application is abandoned.

A typical ITU path for one class that needs two extensions then a Statement of Use would add 400 dollars to the original filing: two 125 dollar extensions plus a 150 dollar Statement of Use. For detail on timing and specimens, see our guide: Statement of Use (SOU): What It Is, When to File, and How to Avoid Abandonment.

{{IMAGE: Timeline with markers for: Filing → Notice of Allowance → Extensions (optional) → Statement of Use → Registration | ITU timeline with fee triggers at each step }}

What will maintenance and renewal cost after registration?

Registration is not the end of the spend. You must keep the registration alive with maintenance filings the USPTO lists on its fee page. Current amounts include:

• Years 5–6: 325 dollars per class for a Section 8 declaration of use. A 100 dollar per‑class grace‑period fee applies if you miss the window and use the grace period.
• Optional at that stage: 250 dollars per class for a standalone Section 15 incontestability filing, or 575 dollars per class for a combined Section 8 and 15.
• Every 10 years: 650 dollars per class for a combined Section 8 and 9 filing to renew and prove continued use. A 100 dollar per‑class grace‑period fee can apply here as well if you file during the grace period.

Example for a two‑class registration held in good order, no grace periods used:

• At year 5–6: 575 dollars per class if you choose the combined 8 and 15, so 1,150 dollars total.
• At year 10: 650 dollars per class for the combined 8 and 9, so 1,300 dollars total.

Check the USPTO’s fee information and fee schedule before each filing, as amounts and conditions can change.

{{IMAGE: Lifecycle checklist graphic from filing to year 10, with fee touchpoints labeled at filing, year 5–6, and year 10 | Trademark lifecycle with required maintenance filings }}

Are USPTO fees the same as attorney fees?

No. USPTO fees are government charges. Professional services are separate and cover clearance searching, selecting the right classes, drafting goods and services to fit the ID Manual, preparing specimens, responding to office actions, ITU filings, and maintenance. Clear drafting usually avoids the 200 dollars per class custom‑description surcharge, and good intake prevents the 100 dollars per class insufficient‑information fee.

If you want an attorney to handle the process end to end, we are ready to help. GTC is an attorney‑led firm founded in 2016 with 11 in‑house lawyers across 5 offices, filing and managing trademarks across 107 jurisdictions. We file, track, and respond under one roof at a flat fee you see first.

For help on a common pain point, see: How to Respond to a USPTO Office Action: Step-by-Step.

Quick cost scenarios we see in practice

These are composite examples to help you budget. All amounts are USPTO government fees.

• One class, in‑use, ID Manual descriptions. Base 350 dollars. No surcharges. Clean and simple.
• Two classes, custom descriptions and missing required details. Base 700 dollars plus 200 dollars per class for custom descriptions and 100 dollars per class for insufficient information. Potential total 1,300 dollars.
• One class ITU with two extensions, then Statement of Use. Base 350 dollars plus 125 dollars plus 125 dollars plus 150 dollars. Total 750 dollars.

For multi‑class or phased filing plans, we often stage filings. Lock the core class first, then expand once the brand line is stable. This reduces upfront risk and, in many cases, avoids custom‑description text bloat that drives surcharges.

If you want a step‑by‑step playbook, read: How to Trademark a Name: The 2026 Step-by-Step Guide.

{{IMAGE: Side‑by‑side cost stacks for three example scenarios, labeled “Clean single‑class,” “Two‑class with surcharges,” and “One‑class ITU path” | Visualizing how surcharges and ITU steps change totals }}

Avoiding surprise fees: quick attorney tips

• Use the ID Manual when it fits. You skip the 200 dollars per class custom‑description surcharge and the 1,000‑character overage charge.
• Keep descriptions tight. If you must draft custom text, watch the character count to avoid the 200 dollars per additional 1,000 characters.
• Include every required detail. Incomplete applications risk the 100 dollars per class insufficient‑information fee.
• Budget per class. Do not force a product line into the wrong class to save a filing fee. It costs more to fix later.
• If you file ITU, set calendar reminders from the Notice of Allowance date so you do not need extra extensions or a 250 dollar petition to revive.
• Before you file, verify the current amounts on the USPTO fee information page and fee schedule.

Ready to file or clean up a pending application? We can take it from draft to registration and keep it maintained.

Related reading:

• Trademark Searches: Beyond Google – Comprehensive Tools and Best Practices
• Trademark Monitoring and Enforcement: Protecting Your Brand After Registration