--- title: "USPTO Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Costs, Section 8/9 | GTC" description: "US trademark renewals: Section 8/9 deadlines, grace periods, optional Section 15, evidence, fees, and consequences. Keep your registration active." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com", "logo": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg", "description": "Multi-practice IP and business legal firm. Trademarks in 100+ jurisdictions, patents in 10 + PCT, copyrights under Berne. Operating since 2016.", "foundingDate": "2016", "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrademarkcompany/", "https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co" ], "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+1-510-973-4964", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "US", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+44-7453-347853", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+91-6397-329955", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "IN", "availableLanguage": [ "English", "Hindi" ] } ], "address": [ { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "712 H Street NE, Suite 2094", "addressLocality": "Washington", "addressRegion": "DC", "postalCode": "20002", "addressCountry": "US" }, { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "YSC Complex, 4th floor, A-400, 12 Ajit Singh House, Sri Aurobindo Marg", "addressLocality": "New Delhi", "addressRegion": "Delhi", "postalCode": "110016", "addressCountry": "IN" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Costs, and How to Keep Your Registration Active", "description": "US trademark renewals: Section 8/9 deadlines, grace periods, optional Section 15, evidence, fees, and consequences. Keep your registration active.", "image": "https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/application-files/blog/trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs.jpg?t=1780411519517", "datePublished": "2026-02-09T09:00:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-08-28T15:23:21.562288+00:00", "inLanguage": "en-US", "isAccessibleForFree": true, "articleSection": "guides", "keywords": "Section 8, Section 9, trademark renewal, USPTO, Section 15, incontestability, grace period, Lanham Act", "wordCount": 1497, "citation": [ { "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "USPTO – Post‑registration timeline (all registrations except Madrid Protocol)", "url": "https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/trademark-timelines/post-registration-timeline-all-registrations-except-madrid-protocol" }, { "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "USPTO – Keeping your registration alive", "url": "https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/maintain/keeping-your-registration-alive" }, { "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "15 U.S.C. §1058 (Lanham Act §8) – Declaration of use or excusable nonuse", "url": "https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:15%20section:1058%20edition:prelim)" }, { "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "15 U.S.C. §1059 (Lanham Act §9) – Renewal of registration", "url": "https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:15%20section:1059%20edition:prelim)" }, { "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "15 U.S.C. §1065 (Lanham Act §15) – Incontestability", "url": "https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:15%20section:1065%20edition:prelim)" }, { "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "37 C.F.R. §2.160 – Affidavit or declaration under Section 8", "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-37/chapter-I/part-2/subject-group-ECFR17f6d4cfa6f3b11e9a3f500505689c2b" }, { "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "37 C.F.R. §2.161 – Requirements for Section 8", "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-37/section-2.161" }, { "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "37 C.F.R. §2.182 – Renewal application", "url": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-37/section-2.182" } ], "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zaman Zaidi", "jobTitle": "Founder & Attorney", "image": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/team/zaman.jpg", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/team/zaman-zaidi" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog/trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Costs, and How to Keep Your Registration Active", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog/trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "When are the USPTO maintenance and renewal filings due after registration?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You must file a Section 8 declaration of use or excusable nonuse between the 5th and 6th years after registration. Then, every 10 years, file a combined Section 8 declaration and Section 9 renewal within the 1‑year period before each 10‑year anniversary, or within a 6‑month grace period afterward, with additional fees. See the USPTO post‑registration timeline and guidance." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What happens if I miss a Section 8 or Section 9 deadline?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The registration will be canceled or expire if you miss the deadline, including the 6‑month grace period. It cannot be reinstated. Your only option is to file a new application. See the USPTO post‑registration timeline." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between Section 8 and Section 9?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Section 8, 15 U.S.C. §1058, requires a declaration of use or excusable nonuse with specimens to maintain a registration. It is first due in years 5–6 and again at 10‑year intervals. Section 9, 15 U.S.C. §1059 and 37 C.F.R. §§2.182–2.183, is the renewal application due every 10 years. The USPTO allows a combined Section 8/9 at each 10‑year interval." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I make my registration incontestable?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "If your mark is on the Principal Register and has been in continuous use for five years, you may file an optional Section 15 declaration of incontestability, often together with the year‑5/6 Section 8 filing. See 15 U.S.C. §1065." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What if I am not using the mark when a filing is due?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Section 8 permits a showing of excusable nonuse in limited circumstances. Your submission must meet the requirements in 37 C.F.R. §§2.160–2.161 and include a clear factual explanation with evidence." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long can a U.S. trademark registration last?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Indefinitely, as long as you make timely Section 8 declarations and Section 9 renewals and pay the required fees at each interval. See 15 U.S.C. §§1058–1059." } } ] } ] --- [](/) - Trademarks - Patents - Copyrights - Data Privacy - Business Legal - [Pricing](/pricing) - Resources Sign inEN · USD Sign in 1. [Home](/) 2. / 3. [Blog](/blog) 4. / 5. Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Costs, and How to Keep Your Registration Active [Back to Blog](/blog) guides # Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Costs, and How to Keep Your Registration Active ![Zaman Zaidi](/team/zaman.jpg)Zaman Zaidi · Founder & International Trademark Attorney February 9, 2026 9 min read Share Last updated: August 28, 2026 ![Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Costs, and How to Keep Your Registration Active](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs.jpg?width=1200&quality=80&resize=contain&t=1780411519517) ## Trademark Renewal: Deadlines, Costs, and How to Keep Your Registration Active Here is the short version. Between years 5 and 6 after registration, file a Section 8 declaration of use or excusable nonuse. Then every 10 years, file a combined Section 8 and Section 9 renewal in the 1‑year window before each 10‑year anniversary, or within a 6‑month grace period, with extra fees. Miss those, and the registration dies and cannot be revived. Sources: 15 U.S.C. §§1058–1059; 37 C.F.R. §§2.160–2.183; USPTO post‑registration timeline. I’ll walk you through the exact windows, what evidence to attach, how incontestability fits in, and the one mistake you can’t fix. ### What filings are due, and when? - Years 5–6: File a Section 8 declaration of use or excusable nonuse. There is a 6‑month grace period with additional fees. See 15 U.S.C. §1058 and 37 C.F.R. §§2.160–2.161; USPTO post‑registration timeline. - Every 10 years: File a combined Section 8 declaration and Section 9 renewal during the 1‑year window before each 10‑year anniversary, or within a 6‑month grace period after, with additional fees. See 15 U.S.C. §1059 and 37 C.F.R. §§2.182–2.183; USPTO timeline. If you keep making these filings on time and pay the required fees, your U.S. registration can remain in force indefinitely. See 15 U.S.C. §1059. ### What is Section 8, and what must I submit? Up front: Section 8 is about use. You must show the mark is in use on the goods or services in the registration, or explain excusable nonuse. A complete Section 8 under 37 C.F.R. §2.161 includes: - A sworn declaration that the mark is in use in commerce for the listed goods or services, or a statement explaining excusable nonuse. - One acceptable specimen per class showing current use. For goods, think tags, labels, product packaging, or point‑of‑sale pages. For services, think ads, websites, or brochures showing the mark and the services. - The required government fees, and any grace‑period surcharge if you are filing late within the allowed 6 months. Need a deeper dive on specimens? See our guide, [Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects](/blog/trademark-specimens-guide). ### Can I claim excusable nonuse? Sometimes. Section 8 permits a showing of excusable nonuse in limited situations. You must explain the facts and attach evidence that fits the rule. Examples can include a temporary plant shutdown, import bans, or trade sanctions that make use impossible despite your intent to resume. See 37 C.F.R. §§2.160–2.161. Hard truth from practice: “We paused marketing” or “We are between versions of the product” usually fails. If the specimen and dates do not square with the claimed period of use or nonuse, the filing will draw an inquiry and can be refused. ### What is Section 9, and how does the combined 8/9 work? Section 9 is the renewal application that keeps the registration alive at each 10‑year mark. The USPTO lets you file a combined Section 8 declaration with the Section 9 renewal in one submission every 10 years. Timing is set by 37 C.F.R. §§2.182–2.183, with a 1‑year filing window before the anniversary and a 6‑month grace period after, subject to surcharges. Substantively, you still must prove use or excusable nonuse for Section 8. Practical tip: Use the 10‑year combined filing to prune dead wood. If some goods or services are no longer offered, delete them. Keeping dead items invites vulnerability in disputes and audits. ### Is incontestability worth it, and when can I file Section 15? If your registration is on the Principal Register and the mark has been in continuous use in commerce for five years, you may file an optional Section 15 declaration of incontestability. See 15 U.S.C. §1065. We usually file it together with the year‑5/6 Section 8, because the timing often lines up. Incontestability does not make you bulletproof, but it cuts off certain challenges to the validity of your registration and strengthens your hand in enforcement. Two cautions we give clients: - Section 15 is not available for Supplemental Register registrations. - If use has not been truly continuous for five years, wait. A shaky Section 15 can be used against you later. ### How much are the government fees? The USPTO charges per class for Section 8, per class for Section 9, and a surcharge if you file in the 6‑month grace period. Amounts change, so always check current USPTO guidance before you file. See USPTO, Keeping your registration alive. If you file a Section 15, that is a separate government fee. Many owners combine Section 15 with the first Section 8 to save time, but the fees remain separate. ### What happens if I miss a deadline? If you do not file the required Section 8 or combined 8/9 by the deadline, including the 6‑month grace period, the registration will be canceled or expire. There is no reinstatement and no petition to revive. Your only option is to start over with a new application. See the USPTO post‑registration timeline. Named failure mode from our files: a consumer‑goods brand trusted an old docket in a spreadsheet. They missed the year‑5/6 Section 8 by one week past the grace period. The registration was canceled. We refiled and regained rights later, but they lost their original priority date and spent months rebuilding marketplace tools tied to the old registration. A calendar mistake cost them leverage in a pending distribution deal. ### Does this apply to Madrid Protocol registrations? Not exactly. The USPTO timeline cited above covers all registrations except Madrid Protocol‑based ones. If your U.S. protection comes through Madrid, you maintain it with a Section 71 declaration instead of Section 8, and you renew through WIPO. The windows and content differ. Start here: [Madrid Protocol Section 71 Renewals: US‑EU Compliance 2026](/blog/madrid-protocol-section-71-renewals-2026). ### A simple calendar that works - Record the registration date. Add two sets of recurring reminders: a 12‑month window before each 10‑year anniversary, and the 5th‑year start date. - Plan specimens early. Capture dated screenshots or product photos that clearly show the mark with the goods or services. - Prune your identification. Delete goods or services you no longer offer when you file. It reduces risk. - Budget for fees per class and for possible grace‑period surcharges. If you want us to run the calendar, we do this daily. We docket renewals, gather specimens, clean identifications, and file on time. ### Where should I start today? - Check your registration certificate for the registration date and classes. - Create year‑5/6 and 10‑year calendar entries with reminders 90, 60, and 30 days out. - Audit use. For each class, list the top two products or services that best show current use. - If your mark is on the Principal Register and in continuous use for five years, add Section 15 to your year‑5/6 plan. We are an attorney‑led team that files and maintains U.S. registrations every week. If you prefer to hand this off, we can take it from here and keep you on‑calendar. Related reading: - [How Long Does a Trademark Last? Durations, Renewals, and Deadlines](/blog/how-long-does-trademark-last) - [Trademark Monitoring and Enforcement: Protecting Your Brand After Registration](/blog/trademark-monitoring-enforcement) ### Need help with your trademark? Get a free trademark check from our specialists, no obligation. Keep my registration active ## Frequently Asked Questions ### When are the USPTO maintenance and renewal filings due after registration? ### What happens if I miss a Section 8 or Section 9 deadline? ### What is the difference between Section 8 and Section 9? ### Can I make my registration incontestable? ### What if I am not using the mark when a filing is due? ### How long can a U.S. trademark registration last? ## Sources 1. [USPTO – Post‑registration timeline (all registrations except Madrid Protocol)](https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/trademark-timelines/post-registration-timeline-all-registrations-except-madrid-protocol) 2. [USPTO – Keeping your registration alive](https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/maintain/keeping-your-registration-alive) 3. [15 U.S.C. §1058 (Lanham Act §8) – Declaration of use or excusable nonuse](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=\(title:15%20section:1058%20edition:prelim\)) 4. [15 U.S.C. §1059 (Lanham Act §9) – Renewal of registration](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=\(title:15%20section:1059%20edition:prelim\)) 5. [15 U.S.C. §1065 (Lanham Act §15) – Incontestability](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=\(title:15%20section:1065%20edition:prelim\)) 6. [37 C.F.R. §2.160 – Affidavit or declaration under Section 8](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-37/chapter-I/part-2/subject-group-ECFR17f6d4cfa6f3b11e9a3f500505689c2b) 7. [37 C.F.R. §2.161 – Requirements for Section 8](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-37/section-2.161) 8. [37 C.F.R. §2.182 – Renewal application](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-37/section-2.182) ![Zaman Zaidi](/team/zaman.jpg) Zaman Zaidi Founder & International Trademark Attorney Section 8 Section 9 Section 15 USPTO Incontestability ## Related Articles [ ![Trademark Searches: Beyond Google – Comprehensive Tools and Best Practices](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/pipeline/9358f640-cc7c-49d6-9d70-aafc78f3a270.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780479747214) ### Trademark Searches: Beyond Google – Comprehensive Tools and Best Practices Jun 6, 2026 ](/blog/trademark-searches-beyond-google-comprehensive-tools-and-best-practices)[ ![EU PCT National Phase: 2026 UPC Impact](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/eu-pct-national-phase-upc-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780326641627) ### EU PCT National Phase: 2026 UPC Impact Apr 24, 2026 ](/blog/eu-pct-national-phase-upc-2026)[ ![Japan Amazon Brand Registry: Trademark Requirements 2026](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/japan-amazon-brand-registry-trademark-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780411398351) ### Japan Amazon Brand Registry: Trademark Requirements 2026 Apr 20, 2026 ](/blog/japan-amazon-brand-registry-trademark-2026) ## Site footer ![Global Trademark Company](/assets/gtc-logo-white-DQ8YcvVd.svg) Secure Every Step of Your Growth Trusted by brands since 2016 [hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com ](mailto:hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com) [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrademarkcompany/) [+1 510-973-4964 (US & International) ](tel:+15109734964)[+44 7453 347853 (UK & EU) ](tel:+447453347853)[+91 6397-329955 (India) ](tel:+916397329955) ### Company - [About us](/about) - [Contact](/contact) - [Our lawyers](/lawyers) - [Case studies](/case-studies) - [Careers](/careers) - [Press](/press) - [B2B partners](/b2b-partners) - [GTC Advantage](/gtc-advantage) ### Services - [All services →](/services) - [US trademark](/services/us-trademark) - [Madrid Protocol](/services/madrid-protocol-filing) - [Patent filing](/services/patent-filing) - [Copyright registration](/services/copyright-registration) - [Commercial contracts](/services/nda-drafting) - [Fractional GC](/services/fractional-gc) - [Data privacy](/services/gdpr-compliance) ### Resources - [Blog](/blog) - [Trademark Glossary](/resources/glossary) - [Country Guides](/resources/country-guides) - [Specimen Guide](/resources/specimen-guide) - [Class Assist](/class-assist) - [Free TM Check](/free-trademark-check) - [Free Consultation](/free-consultation) - [Reviews on Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co) ### Get Started - [Login](/login) - [Sign up](/signup) - [Application status](/application-status) - [Terms of service](/terms) - [Privacy policy](/privacy) - [Refund & credit policy](/refund-policy) - [Sitemap](/sitemap) ### Our Offices United States 712 H Street NE, Suite 2094 Washington DC 20002 India 4th Floor, A-400, 12 Ajit Singh House Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110016 European Union Iskar 75 Str., office 2 Sofia, Bulgaria China 2nd floor No. 51 Zhongshan Yi Road Guangzhou, China United Kingdom Unit 1A, 1 Bridge Road Camberley, Surrey GU15 2QR We accept: ![Visa](/assets/visa-logo-DngOCJX3.webp) ![Apple Pay](data:image/webp;base64,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) Stripe Payoneer Wire [Trustpilot](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co) © 2026 Global Trademark Company LLC. All rights reserved. [Legal Notice](/terms)[Privacy Policy](/privacy)[Cookie Policy](/cookies)[Refund Policy](/refund-policy)Cookie Settings Hi! How can we help you today? Cookies help us improve the site. We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. [Learn more](/cookies) Manage Manage Preferences RejectAccept