How Much Does a U.S. Trademark Application Cost?

What is the USPTO trademark filing fee?

The USPTO currently lists a base application fee of $350 per class for an electronically filed U.S. trademark application. One class therefore starts at $350 in government fees; two classes start at $700. This payment goes to the USPTO and is separate from fees charged by an independent filing-support provider or a law firm.

Why does the number of classes change the cost?

Trademark applications identify the goods and services for which protection is requested. Those goods and services are organized into international classes. Clothing items might fit within one class, while custom printing services may require another. The application fee is calculated per class, so the selected scope directly affects the initial government cost.

Possible additional application fees

The base fee is not always the final USPTO cost. According to the USPTO fee schedule, additional fees can apply when required information is insufficient, when an applicant uses a free-form description instead of an entry from the Trademark ID Manual, or when a long free-form description exceeds specified character groups. Current amounts and rules should always be confirmed on the official fee schedule before filing.

Intent-to-use applications can cost more later

An applicant who has a bona fide intention to use a mark but has not begun qualifying use may file on an intent-to-use basis. Before registration, that applicant must later submit an allegation of use with an acceptable specimen and pay the applicable fee. Extensions may create further costs. These later requirements are different from the initial base application fee.

Government fees versus service fees

A government filing fee is paid for USPTO processing. A service fee pays a private provider for the scope described in its plan, such as gathering information, preparing form entries, or submitting materials. Compare the two separately. Confirm which classes, searches, follow-up services, office-action work or post-filing assistance are included before checkout.

What the $49, $149, and $249 service fees cover

Legal Trademark Office's advertised $49, $149, and $249 prices are private service fees, not discounted USPTO fees and not the total government cost of registration. They pay for the preparation and submission-support work listed in the selected package. That work is intended to help customers organize application information and reduce avoidable administrative errors, but it cannot eliminate every issue or guarantee that the USPTO will approve a mark.

The package comparison shown at the time of purchase controls the service scope. Customers should review it before checkout because optional add-ons, future work, extra classes, government fees, and services not listed in the selected plan may cost more. Monitoring means watching for potentially similar later activity during the stated period; it is not enforcement, legal representation, or a promise that every possible conflict will be detected.

Why a private service fee can be lower than a law firm's fee

Providers can define different scopes, workflows, staffing, turnaround times, and levels of legal involvement. A lower service price does not change the USPTO's government fee or examination standard. The useful comparison is not price alone: compare the search scope, preparation work, reviewer role, monitoring period, excluded work, refund terms, and what happens if the USPTO issues a refusal or requests more information.

Some applicants file directly with the USPTO, some use administrative filing support, and others retain a law firm for individualized legal advice and representation. These are different service models. Customers should choose based on the assistance they need and verify any claimed professional credential independently.

Are USPTO filing fees refundable?

USPTO filing fees are generally not refunded simply because an application is refused, abandoned or does not register. The agency describes limited refunds for payments made by mistake or in excess of the amount required. This makes pre-filing decisions about ownership, scope, basis, identification and searching financially important.

Budget for maintenance after registration

Federal rights require maintenance filings. The USPTO charges fees for declarations of use or excusable nonuse and for renewal, generally on a per-class basis. Late filings during a grace period can add surcharges. Review the official maintenance schedule rather than treating registration as a one-time lifetime payment.

This guide provides general educational information and is not legal advice. It does not predict or guarantee a USPTO outcome.