A federal trademark application generally costs at least $350 for each class of goods or services. A one-class application that satisfies the USPTO’s base requirements may cost $350 in government filing fees. Multiple classes, custom descriptions, an intent-to-use filing, an Office action, or professional help can raise the total.
USPTO fees are usually nonrefundable, even if the application is refused or abandoned. Confirm the current amount before filing because fees can change.
The base USPTO filing fee
As of November 2026, the USPTO base application fee for a Section 1 or Section 44 application is $350 per class. Classes are administrative groupings of goods and services. They are not the same as business entities, product lines, or industries.
- One class: $350
- Two classes: $700
- Three classes: $1,050
Practical tip: Identify the goods and services before budgeting. A restaurant, packaged food product, and downloadable app can involve different classes even if one company offers all three.
Additional application fees that may apply
Trademark Center can add fees when an application omits specified information or uses custom wording for goods and services. The current additional fees include:
- $100 per class for specified insufficient information.
- $200 per class for using the free-form text box instead of selecting goods or services from the Trademark ID Manual.
- $200 for each additional group of 1,000 characters beyond the first 1,000 in a free-form identification, per affected class.
Copying an ID Manual entry into the free-form box still triggers the free-form fee. The USPTO explains these rules and examples on its additional application fees page. Accurate ID Manual entries may avoid that charge, but they should only be used when they truthfully describe the offering.
Intent-to-use filings have later fees
An intent-to-use application allows filing before use begins, but registration requires a later allegation of use. The current electronic fee is $150 per class for an amendment to allege use or Statement of Use. A six-month extension request currently costs $125 per class.
Those fees can repeat by class, and extension requests may repeat while the application remains eligible. Read how intent-to-use applications work before choosing that basis.
Other costs depend on what happens
- A clearance search may involve paid databases or professional review.
- An Office action may require legal research, evidence, or a response. A three-month response extension currently carries a $125 USPTO fee.
- An opposition or appeal is a separate proceeding with additional USPTO or TTAB fees and potentially substantial legal fees.
- After registration, maintenance filings and renewals require later fees.
- Attorney fees vary with scope, complexity, and whether the work includes searching, filing, or responding to refusals.
An attorney is not required for a U.S.-domiciled applicant, although foreign-domiciled applicants must use a qualified U.S. attorney. Professional review can be especially useful when ownership, clearance, classification, or the identification is uncertain. See when trademark counsel may help.
How to estimate your filing budget
- List the goods and services actually offered or genuinely planned under the mark.
- Find accurate wording and classes in the USPTO ID Manual.
- Multiply the number of classes by the current base fee.
- Add any free-form or missing-information fees shown in Trademark Center.
- If filing based on intent to use, budget for a later use filing and possible extensions.
- Decide whether the risk warrants a professional search or attorney review.
The most reliable estimate comes from the application itself. Prepare the owner, filing basis, and goods or services first, then review the fee summary before submitting payment. The trademark class guide can help with the first calculation.