How to register a trademark, in four steps
Search, verify, file, protect. Flat $649 + USPTO fees ($350 per class, at cost). Typical time to registration: 8–14 months.
Registering a U.S. trademark takes four steps: search the USPTO, get an attorney clearance opinion, file the application, and protect the mark through examination. Filing happens within days of you giving us the details; the USPTO then takes roughly 8 to 14 months to examine, publish, and register a straightforward application. The all-in cost through MARQ is $649 in legal fees plus $350 per class in USPTO government fees — $999 for a single class.
Search
Run the free DIY search to gut-check availability in seconds.
Verify
Order the $79 federal knockout search, or the $249 comprehensive clearance search, before you spend.
File
We prepare and file your application with the USPTO for a flat $649 + fees.
Protect
We monitor your application and handle any office actions that come up.
Clear scope before filing
MARQ reviews the information you provide before filing. If a legal or factual issue changes the recommended service or prevents responsible filing, we explain it before proceeding and apply the written fee and refund terms in the Client Service Agreement. USPTO government fees are passed through at cost.
Frequently asked
Is there any cost after the $649 + USPTO fee?
The initial one-class application is $999 at the base fee: $649 legal fee plus $350 USPTO fee. Separately purchased searches, additional classes, government surcharges, office actions, extensions, and later maintenance can cost extra. An intent-to-use application can require a later Statement of Use: $100 MARQ fee plus $150 USPTO fee per class, bringing a one-class matter to $1,249 before other extras. Optional monitoring is not required. The selected service agreement explains what is included.
How long does trademark registration take?
Straightforward applications typically register in roughly 8 to 14 months. The USPTO examines your filing, publishes it for opposition, and — if there are no issues — registers it. Filing correctly the first time avoids the delays an office action causes.
What is the difference between the TM and R symbols?
You can use TM (or SM for services) on any mark you claim, even without a registration. The R-in-a-circle symbol may only be used once your mark is federally registered with the USPTO.
Do I have to register in every country?
No — a U.S. registration protects you in the United States. If you sell abroad, you can extend protection to other countries, often through the Madrid Protocol based on your U.S. filing.
Is my payment and information secure?
Yes. Stripe processes payment-card information; MARQ does not store your full card number. Matter information is handled through access-controlled systems for service delivery, operations, and legal recordkeeping as described in the Privacy Notice.
Do I really work with a real attorney?
Mary Liberty, an Illinois-licensed attorney, supervises MARQ’s legal work and attorney-review process. Your application is handled through that attorney-led workflow rather than filed as an unreviewed form submission.
What does "$649 + USPTO fees" actually mean?
Our flat legal fee is $649. The USPTO charges a separate government filing fee (currently $350 per class of goods/services). We bill that at cost — we never mark it up.
What if my trademark is already taken?
A similar registered mark does not automatically mean your application will be denied. You can still file, but the examining attorney may issue a likelihood-of-confusion office action. The marks, goods and services, and other facts determine the risk. An attorney-reviewed search helps assess that risk before filing; it cannot guarantee approval.
How long does registration take?
Preparation depends on receiving complete client information and attorney review. USPTO examination and registration timing varies; office actions, opposition, and intent-to-use requirements can add time. Check the current USPTO dashboard and your matter status rather than relying on a guaranteed completion date.
What is an office action?
It's an official letter from the USPTO raising an issue with your application. Procedural ones ($499 to respond) are usually simple; substantive refusals (starting at $999) need a legal argument. We handle both.