The Cost of Trademark Registration: A 2026 Budget Guide
One of the most common questions we receive at Secure Mark USA is: “Exactly how much does it cost to register a trademark?” In 2026, the answer has become more complex due to the USPTO’s move toward a surcharge-heavy fee structure. Understanding these costs upfront is essential for any business’s financial planning.
1. The Base Filing Fee
As of early 2025 and continuing through 2026, the USPTO has eliminated the older, tiered “TEAS Plus” and “TEAS Standard” systems. There is now a single base electronic filing fee of $350 per class.
Expert Tip: If you are filing for a brand that spans multiple industries (e.g., Clothing in Class 25 and Retail Services in Class 35), your base fee starts at $700.
2. Avoiding the “Surcharge Minefield”
While the base fee is $350, the USPTO has introduced “Efficiency Surcharges” that can double your costs if you aren’t careful. Secure Mark USA helps you avoid these:
- Custom Description Surcharge ($200): If you write your own description of goods instead of using the USPTO’s pre-approved ID Manual, you pay an extra $200 per class.
- Length Surcharge ($200): If your custom description exceeds 1,000 characters, you are charged an additional $200 for every subsequent 1,000-character block.
- Incomplete Application Surcharge ($100): Submitting an application without a verified domicile address or missing translations results in an immediate penalty.
3. “Intent to Use” vs. “Actual Use” Costs
If you haven’t launched your product yet, you file under Section 1(b) – Intent to Use. While this reserves your name, it adds a future cost:
- Statement of Use (SOU) Fee: $150 per class.
- Extension Requests: $125 per class (if you need more than 6 months to launch).
4. Post-Registration Maintenance
Registration isn’t a one-time fee. To keep your mark active, you must budget for:
- Section 8 Declaration (Year 5-6): $325 per class.
- Section 9 Renewal (Year 10): $325 per class.
Why Flat-Fee Services Matter
At Secure Mark USA, we believe in transparency. DIY filers often end up paying over $1,000 per class due to avoidable surcharges and office actions. By partnering with us, you get a predictable budget and the expertise to ensure your application is “Efficiency Optimized” to keep government fees at the absolute minimum.
