How Much Does a Trademark Attorney Cost? (Plus USPTO Fees)

A trademark attorney typically charges $400 to $1,200 to prepare and file a single-class application, on top of the USPTO’s $350-per-class government fee — roughly $750 to $1,750 out of pocket in total. A clearance search and opinion beforehand usually adds $300 to $800, and it is the step most worth paying for.

Key takeaways

• Two separate costs: the attorney fee and the USPTO fee of $350 per class.
• USPTO fees are per class and non-refundable — you do not get them back if your application is refused.
• Each extra class adds roughly $150–$400 in attorney fees plus another government fee.
• The clearance search is the highest-value step. Finding a conflict before you file costs a few hundred dollars; finding it after costs the filing fee, the rebrand, and possibly a dispute.

What a trademark actually costs

Item	Typical cost
Clearance search + opinion	$300–$800
Attorney prep & filing (1 class)	$400–$1,200
USPTO government fee	$350 per class
Typical total, one class	$750–$1,750
Each additional class	$150–$400 attorney + $350 USPTO

"Classes" are the categories of goods and services your mark covers. Selling both clothing and running an online store are different classes — and each is billed separately.

Do you need an attorney to file a trademark?

If you are a US-based applicant, no — you can file directly with the USPTO. (Foreign-domiciled applicants are required to use a US-licensed attorney.) But trademark refusals are common and usually turn on legal judgment: whether your mark is confusingly similar to an existing one, or too descriptive to protect. Those are exactly the calls a DIY filer cannot make, and a refusal costs you the non-refundable fee plus the time.

Check whether your name is likely registrable with our free Trademark Eligibility Checker, or find intellectual property attorneys near you.