When and How to File Your Trademark Renewal Application

Keeping your brand protected isn’t a one-time job. Once you’ve registered your trademark, the work continues. To keep your rights active, you need to renew them on time. Missing deadlines can mean losing your registration for good. Let’s break down when and how to file your renewal so you don’t end up with gaps in protection. Knowing how to renew a trademark is just as important as filing it in the first place. The process has specific steps and strict timelines—there’s no room for guesswork.

Mark Your Calendar: Key Dates Matter

Your trademark doesn’t last forever without action. It must be renewed every 10 years from the original registration date. But that’s not all—you also have maintenance filings before the renewal. The big renewal window opens one year before your 10-year mark. That means if your trademark was registered on June 5, 2015, you can start the renewal process as early as June 5, 2024. You’re allowed to file up to six months after the 10-year deadline, but there’s a catch: a late fee. It’s like paying extra for being overdue. So it’s always smarter to plan ahead and avoid those added costs.

The Section 8 Filing – Not Just a Formality

Before you even get to the 10-year renewal, there’s an important step at the 5- to 6-year mark: the Section 8 declaration. This form proves you’re still using your trademark in commerce. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) wants to make sure trademarks aren’t just sitting around—they should be actively used. If you skip this step, your registration could be canceled. Even if you plan to renew later, missing the Section 8 can cost you everything. For the 10-year renewal, you’ll combine this declaration with the actual renewal application. Think of it as a two-in-one check-in with the USPTO.

What You Need to Submit

When it’s time to renew, you can’t just say, “I’m still using it.” You need proof. Here’s what goes into the filing:

• A signed statement confirming current use of the mark
• A specimen showing the trademark in real-world use (like product labels or website screenshots)
• A list of the goods or services tied to your mark
• Payment for the government filing fees

If your mark isn’t currently in use, you’ll need to explain why and show the steps you’re taking to resume use. Excuses aren’t enough—you have to prove intent.

And remember: each class of goods or services you register comes with its own fee. More classes mean higher total costs.

Cost to Renew a Trademark

Fees are set by the USPTO, and they add up fast. As of now, here’s what you’re looking at:

• $525 per class when filing the combined Section 8 and renewal (Section 9) before the deadline
• $625 per class if you file during the 6-month grace period (that extra $100 per class is the late fee)

These are government fees only. If you use a service or legal help to file, there may be additional charges.

It might seem steep, but think of it this way: losing your trademark could cost you more in rebranding, legal fights, or lost business. Paying to renew is protecting your investment.

Online Is the Only Way

All trademark filings are done through the USPTO’s online system. Paper forms aren’t accepted anymore.

The process is straightforward if you have your documents ready:

• Log in to TEAS
• Select the correct form (Combined Declaration and Application for Renewal)
• Fill in owner details, registration number, and class info
• Upload specimens and pay the fee

Double-check everything. One typo in the owner's name or registration number can delay or even cancel your filing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even small errors can lead to rejection. Watch out for these common pitfalls:

• Uploading low-quality or incorrect specimens
• Forgetting to list all active classes of goods/services
• Missing the deadline or grace period entirely
• Providing outdated contact or ownership info

Also, if your business structure changed (like switching from sole proprietor to LLC), make sure the ownership is updated with the USPTO before you file.

A clean, accurate submission means faster approval and no surprises.

Bottom Line

Letting your trademark expire is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid—and one of the hardest to fix. Staying on top of deadlines, submitting the right documents, and understanding how much does it cost to renew a trademark keeps your brand safe. The process might feel technical, but it’s worth it. With the right planning, renewing your trademark becomes a simple part of running your business. Make sure you know how to renew a trademark, stay organized, and never let your brand’s protection lapse. Your future self will thank you.