State Trademark Registration
State trademark registration happens at—you guessed it—the state level. As a result, state registered trademarks are only guaranteed protection within their state of registration.
In most states, registration is handled by the secretary of state’s office, though there are some outliers. In New Jersey, for example, state registered trademarks are processed by the state’s Department of the Treasury.
What are the benefits of state trademark registration?
The main benefits of state trademark registration include:
- Cost: cheaper than federal registration, often by at least $200
- Time: shorter processing time than federal registration (like, over a year shorter in many cases)
- Ease: simpler to procure than federal registration—standards vary by state, but are consistently less rigorous than USPTO requirements
What are the negatives of state trademark registration?
Negatives to federal trademark registration center around cost and process. It is much more expensive to apply for a trademark with the USPTO than it is to apply at the state level. Securing federal registration also takes much longer—generally spanning a year or more. State registration often takes a month or less.
Trademark monitoring can also be more difficult at the federal level, as you have dozens more states to comb through for infringement. Because monitoring your trademark for infringement is a requirement of federal registration, it can be tricky to handle on your own.
Want help applying for federal trademark registration? Use our Trademark Service and get Monitoring free for 90 days.
Federal Trademark Registration
Federal trademark registration is applied for with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Applying for a federal trademark can be a cumbersome process, but once registered, these marks have some of the farthest reaching trademark rights in existence.
What are the benefits of federal trademark registration?
Primary benefits of federal trademark registration include:
- Scope: national geographic protection—your mark will have rights across the US
- Credibility: use of the coveted R-inside-a-circle symbol, ®
- Enforcement: the ability to sue for trademark infringement in federal court and to stop counterfeit goods featuring your trademark from entering the US
What are the negatives of federal trademark registration?
Negatives to federal trademark registration center around cost and process. It is much more expensive to apply for a trademark with the USPTO than it is to apply at the state level. Securing federal registration also takes much longer—generally spanning a year or more. State registration often takes a month or less.
Want help applying for federal trademark registration? Learn what our Trademark Service can do for you.
Does a Federal Trademark Supersede a State Trademark?
It depends. There is no hard-and-fast rule that says a federal trademark is always superior to a state mark.
As is often true with trademarks, a lot of it comes down to the day the mark was first used in commerce. If a federal trademark has an earlier first-use date than an infringing state trademark, then the federal mark is likely superior. But if a state trademark has an earlier first-use date, it will likely have priority within the state’s borders.
Let’s say a trademark registered in Alabama has an earlier first-use date than a confusingly similar federal mark. In that case, the federal trademark wouldn’t necessarily overtake the Alabama mark. Instead, the federal mark may be unable to establish rights in Alabama, while the state mark would may be unable to expand outside Alabama.
State vs Federal Trademark Cost
One of the biggest differences between state and federal trademarks is the cost. Registering a trademark with a state often costs hundreds less than registering a trademark with the USPTO.
- Federal Trademark fees
To register a trademark federally, you’ll pay $250 per class if you use the TEAS Plus application, or $350 per class if you use TEAS Standard. (These application types ultimately take you down the same road, but have some varying requirements.) - State Trademark fees
The majority of states charge $50 or less for trademark registration. As with federal registration, registering in multiple classes typically costs extra. The cheapest state trademark registration fee is $10, found in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. The most expensive states are Ohio and South Dakota, charging $125.
Curious about the trademark registration costs in each state? For a complete list of state fees, see the FAQ section below.
State vs Federal Trademark FAQs
To give your trademark the best chance of standing up to infringement, registration is a good route. But whether you should register at the state or federal level depends largely on the geographical reach—both current and intended—of your brand.
If you operate in multiple states, plan to expand, or think you might someday move your business to a new state, federal registration might make the most sense. If you plan to operate in only one state and don’t intend to move your business across state lines, then state registration may be sufficient for your needs.
Yes. Both state and federal trademarks need to be renewed. Federal trademark renewals are due by the 6th year after registration, again by year 10, and every 10 years thereafter. State trademark renewal rules vary by state. Most state trademarks last for either 5 or 10 years, requiring renewal prior to expiration in order to keep the registration alive.
Here’s a complete list of the minimum trademark registration fees per state:
Alabama: $30
Alaska: $50
Arizona: $15
Arkansas: $50
California: $70
Colorado: $30
Connecticut: $50
Delaware: $35
Florida: $87.50
Georgia: $15
Hawaii: $50
Idaho: $30
Illinois: $10
Indiana: $10
Iowa: $10
Kansas: $40
Kentucky: $10
Louisiana: $75
Maine: $60
Maryland: $50
Massachusetts: $50
Michigan: $50
Minnesota: $50
Mississippi: $50
Missouri: $55
Montana: $20
Nebraska: $110
Nevada: $100
New Hampshire: $50
New Jersey: $50
New Mexico: $50
New York: $50
North Carolina: $75
North Dakota: $30
Ohio: $125
Oklahoma: $50
Oregon: $50
Pennsylvania: $50
Rhode Island: $50
South Carolina: $15
South Dakota: $125
Tennessee: $20
Texas: $50
Utah: $50
Vermont: $20
Virginia: $30
Washington: $55
West Virginia: $50 (includes up to 2 classes)
Wisconsin: $15
Wyoming: $100
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*This is informational commentary, not advice. This information is intended strictly for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. This information is not intended to create, nor does your receipt, viewing, or use of it constitute, an attorney-client relationship. More information is available in our Terms of Service.
