Trademark Registration UK 2026: £205 IPO Fee, Classes and 3 to 4 Month Timeline

How much it costs to register a trade mark

An online application to register a UK trade mark costs £205, which includes one class of goods or services. Each extra class costs £60, so an online application covering three classes costs £325. A paper application costs £250 for one class, with the same £60 for each extra class. The fees rose on 1 April 2026 under the Intellectual Property Fees (Miscellaneous Amendments, Revocation and Transitional Provisions) Rules 2026, SI 2026/183. Before 1 April 2026 the online fee was £170, the paper fee was £200 and each extra class cost £50.

The Right Start option splits the fee: £125 up front plus £30 for each extra class, then £125 plus £30 for each extra class to continue. After a Right Start report, the applicant has 28 days to decide whether to continue, challenge the decision or discuss it. A series application covers up to 6 versions of a mark; the first 2 are included and each further version costs £60. Expedited examination of an online application costs £370, up from £300.

Searching the trade mark register and the class search tool on GOV.UK are free.

Source: IPO trade mark forms and fees; Trade Marks (Fees) Rules 2008 as amended by SI 2026/183

Trade mark classes and how they change the price

The Intellectual Property Office uses the Nice classification, which groups goods and services into 45 classes. Goods fall in classes 1 to 34 and services in classes 35 to 45. The fee is charged per class, not per term selected within a class, so the number of classes chosen affects the price of an application.

A mark is protected only for the goods and services listed in the application, and extra goods or services cannot be added after applying. IPO guidance gives the example of a clothing brand filing in class 25, and a shop selling other brands' clothing filing in class 35 for retail services. The guidance says to include only goods and services the mark is used on now or will be used on within the next 5 years.

UK applications in 2025 covered 428,482 classes in total, an average of 2.1 classes per application.

How long trade mark registration takes

GOV.UK states that trade mark registration usually takes around 3 to 4 months from application if there are no issues. The application is examined within 2 weeks according to the IPO timeline, while the GOV.UK guide says the examination report arrives within 2 to 3 weeks. The applicant has 2 months to resolve any objections raised by the examiner.

Once there are no objections, the application is published in the Trade Marks Journal for 2 months, during which anyone can oppose it. If the application is not opposed, the IPO timeline states the mark is registered 2 weeks later. Details of an application are published on GOV.UK as soon as it is filed.

If the application is opposed, registration in the opposed classes is on hold until the dispute is resolved.

Source: GOV.UK and IPO trade marks timeline

What can and cannot be registered

A trade mark can include words, sounds, logos, colours or a combination of these. A mark cannot describe the goods or services it relates to, such as Apple for a business selling apples. It also cannot be too common and non-distinctive, offensive or misleading, or just a generic shape associated with the business. National flags cannot be used without permission, and official emblems and hallmarks such as coats of arms cannot be used.

An application can be refused if the mark is the same as or similar to an existing mark for the same goods or services. A UK registration covers the UK and the Isle of Man; Guernsey and Jersey have separate processes. An international application through WIPO, form MM2, costs £50 plus WIPO fees.

Objections and oppositions

Anyone can oppose a published trade mark application during the two month publication period. A notice of threatened opposition, form TM7A, has no fee. An opposition based only on section 5(1) or 5(2) of the Trade Marks Act 1994 costs £125, and the fast track opposition form TM7F also costs £125. An opposition on any other grounds costs £250.

Filing a defence and counterstatement, form TM8, has no fee. An applicant facing an opposition can talk to the opponent, withdraw the application or defend it. A defended case can involve legal costs.

The IPO received 7,579 oppositions in 2025, including fast track oppositions, up from 6,695 in 2024. There were 859 ex parte hearings in 2025 challenging examiners' objections to trade marks.

How long a trade mark lasts and how renewal works

Under section 42 of the Trade Marks Act 1994, a trade mark is registered for 10 years from the date of registration and can be renewed for further periods of 10 years. Online renewal costs £245 for one class plus £60 for each extra class, up from £200 and £50 before 1 April 2026.

Section 43 allows renewal after expiry within a prescribed period of not less than 6 months, with an additional fee of £60. A mark removed from the register for failure to renew can be restored and renewed with form TM13, which costs £125.

Under section 46, a registration can be revoked if the mark has not been put to genuine use in the UK within 5 years of registration, or if use has stopped for 5 years. An application to revoke a mark for non-use, form TM26N, costs £250. Under section 95, it is an offence to falsely represent a mark as registered in the UK, including by using the word registered or a symbol implying registration. A registered owner can sell, license and mortgage the mark; recording a change of ownership with form TM16 costs £60.

How many trade marks are filed in the UK

The Intellectual Property Office received 203,194 trade mark applications in 2025. This was up 17.3% on the 173,180 applications filed in 2024 and was the highest number in a calendar year. Registrations reached 177,093 in 2025, up 13.1% and also a calendar year record.

Applicants based in the UK filed 111,611 domestic applications in 2025, which was 54.9% of all applications. Applicants based in China filed 37,931 applications and applicants in the USA filed 16,525.

Applications filed directly with the IPO rose 20.5% to 173,531, while international registrations designating the UK rose 1.8% to 29,662. The IPO published these figures on 30 July 2026.

Source: IPO Facts and figures: patents, trade marks, designs and hearings 2025

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register a trademark in the UK?

Since 1 April 2026, an online trademark application costs £205 for one class and £60 for each extra class. A paper application costs £250 for one class. Before 1 April 2026, the online fee was £170.

How long does it take to register a trademark in the UK?

Registration takes around 3 to 4 months from application if there is no objection or opposition. The application is published for 2 months, during which anyone can oppose it, and is registered 2 weeks after that if unopposed.

How many trade mark classes are there?

There are 45 classes under the Nice classification. Goods fall in classes 1 to 34 and services in classes 35 to 45. Each class after the first costs £60 on an online application.

How long does a UK trade mark last?

A UK trade mark lasts 10 years from the date of registration under section 42 of the Trade Marks Act 1994, and is renewable every 10 years. Online renewal costs £245 for one class plus £60 per extra class.

Can the ® symbol be used before a trade mark is registered?

No. Section 95 of the Trade Marks Act 1994 makes it an offence to falsely represent a mark as registered in the UK, including by using the word registered or any symbol implying registration.