Trademark Registration: Price, Symbol, Mark, Procedure & Online Check

17 October, 2026

Trademark Registration in India - Protect Your Brand Identity

Trademark registration in India is the legal process of protecting a distinctive brand name, logo, word, symbol, or other eligible mark under the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The online process involves trademark search, class selection, document preparation, and filing Form TM-A, followed by examination and publication where applicable. Applicants can check their application status through the official IP India portal.

Quick Facts: Trademark Registration in India

  • Application Form: Form TM-A
  • Trademark Registration Timeline: Approximately 18–24 months in a straightforward case; actual timelines may vary.
  • Opposition Period: 4 months from the date of publication in the Trademark Journal.
  • Trademark Validity: 10 years from the registration date, renewable every 10 years.
  • Trademark Symbols: ™ can be used to claim a mark; ® should be used only after registration.
  • Online Status Check: Applicants can track their application through the official IP India Trademark Status Portal.

What Is Trademark Registration?

Trademark registration is the process of obtaining legal protection for a distinctive mark used to identify a business's goods or services.

Under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, registration gives the registered proprietor statutory rights over the mark in relation to the registered goods or services, including the right to seek legal remedies for infringement.

For example, a business may register its brand name, logo or distinctive combination of words and graphics to protect its commercial identity.

Trademark registration helps businesses:

  • Establish legal rights over a registered mark.
  • Prevent unauthorized use of identical or deceptively similar marks, subject to applicable law.
  • Build brand recognition and commercial value.
  • License or commercially transfer trademark rights.
  • Establish a registered intellectual property asset.

A registered trademark in India is valid for 10 years from the registration date and can be renewed for successive 10-year periods.

What Is a Trademark Mark?

A trademark is a distinctive sign that helps consumers identify the source of particular goods or services.

Depending on eligibility and distinctiveness, a trademark may include:

  • Brand name: A business or product name, such as a distinctive wordmark.
  • Logo: A unique graphic or visual identity.
  • Word: A distinctive word used to identify goods or services.
  • Symbol: A recognisable visual sign.
  • Combination mark: A combination of words, graphics or design elements.
  • Other eligible marks: Certain shapes, packaging, colours, sounds or other distinctive representations, subject to statutory requirements.

A mark is not automatically registrable simply because a business uses it. The Registrar may refuse marks that lack distinctiveness, are descriptive or fall under applicable grounds of refusal.

What Is the Difference Between a Trademark and a Brand Name?

A brand name is the commercial identity a business uses to distinguish its products or services. A trademark is the legally recognised mark used to identify and protect that identity.

For example, a business may use its brand name as a wordmark and separately seek protection for its logo. The appropriate filing strategy depends on the elements the business wants to protect.

What Is the Trademark Symbol?

The two commonly used trademark symbols are ™ and ®. They have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

What Does the ™ Symbol Mean?

The ™ symbol indicates that a word, name or logo is being claimed as a trademark.

Businesses commonly use ™ before registration, including while an application is pending. However, using ™ does not mean that the mark has been registered or that registration is guaranteed.

Trademark Symbols

How Much Does Trademark Registration Cost in India?

The government e-filing fee for trademark registration in India is ₹4,500 per class per mark for eligible individuals, startups and small enterprises, and ₹9,000 per class per mark for other applicants.

The total cost may also include professional charges, documentation and additional services, depending on the filing requirements.

Trademark Registration Government Fees

Applicant category Government e-filing fee
Individual ₹4,500
Eligible startup ₹4,500
Eligible small enterprise/MSME ₹4,500
Company, LLP and other applicants ₹9,000

These fees apply per class and per mark. Physical filing has different prescribed fees.

Trademark Registration Government Fees in India

What Is the Trademark Registration Price at Law Certis?

Law Certis Consulting advertises trademark registration filing packages starting from ₹6,400 per application, all-inclusive, on its trademark registration service page.

Confirm the final quotation with Law Certis based on applicant category, number of classes, scope of professional assistance, and any additional requirements.

Government filing fees and professional service charges are separate cost components, even when a service provider combines them into a package price.

Additional professional charges may apply for services such as examination objection replies, hearings or opposition proceedings, depending on the agreed service scope.

For official fee information, refer to the IP India Forms and Official Fees page.

What Is the Trademark Registration Procedure?

The trademark registration procedure in India generally involves the following steps:

1

Select the Trademark

Choose the brand name, logo, word or other distinctive mark you want to protect. A distinctive mark is generally preferable to a generic or descriptive name.

2

Conduct a Trademark Search

Search the official trademark database for identical and similar marks. A search helps identify potential conflicts before filing.

3

Identify the Appropriate Trademark Class

Select the relevant class based on the goods or services associated with your business. India follows the Nice Classification system, which contains 45 classes.

4

Prepare the Required Documents

Collect applicant identity and address details, trademark representation, business documents and other supporting documents applicable to the filing.

5

File the Trademark Application

Submit Form TM-A through the official IP India e-filing portal and pay the prescribed government fee.

6

Receive the Application Number

After successful filing, an application number and acknowledgement are generated. You can then track the application online.

7

Examination

The Trade Marks Registry examines the application for applicable statutory requirements, including distinctiveness and conflicts with existing marks.

8

Respond to Objection, If Any

If an examination report raises objections, the applicant may need to submit a reply and attend a hearing if scheduled.

9

Advertisement in the Trademark Journal

If the application is accepted for publication, the Trade Marks Journal advertises the mark.

10

10. Opposition Period

Third parties may oppose the application within four months from the date of publication.

11

11. Trademark Registration

If the application meets the applicable requirements and no opposition prevents registration, the mark proceeds to registration, and the Trade Marks Registry issues a registration certificate.

Trademark Registration Process in India Flowchart

How to Register a Trademark Online?

Applicants can register a trademark online through the official IP India e-filing portal.

The basic online process is:

  • Trademark Search
  • Class Selection
  • Document Preparation
  • Form TM-A Filing
  • Government Fee Payment
  • Application Number
  • Status Tracking
  • Examination
  • Publication
  • Registration

Online filing does not mean automatic registration. Every application remains subject to examination and other applicable statutory procedures.

Businesses that need assistance with filing, class selection and application tracking can explore Law Certis Trademark Registration Services.

What Documents Are Required for Trademark Registration?

The required documents depend on the applicant category, filing details, and whether the mark is already in use.

Commonly required documents include:

  • Applicant identity proof, such as PAN or other applicable identification.
  • Applicant address proof.
  • Trademark name and representation.
  • Logo file, where applicable.
  • Business incorporation or entity documents, where applicable.
  • Udyam Registration or eligible startup recognition certificate when claiming a concessional government fee.
  • Power of Attorney on Rs 100/- Stamp Paper or authorisation, where an agent files on behalf of the applicant.
  • User Affidavit on Rs 100/- Stamp Paper and supporting evidence, where a prior-use claim is made.

Applicants claiming use of a trademark should provide accurate use details and supporting evidence where required.

How to Check Trademark Registration Status Online?

You can check a trademark application through the official Trade Marks Registry status portal.

How to Check Trademark Application Status?

Follow these steps:

  • 1 Open the Official IP India Trademark Status Portal.
  • 2 Select the relevant search option.
  • 3 Enter the trademark application number or other requested information.
  • 4 Complete the required verification, including OTP or captcha where applicable.
  • 5Submit the search and review the application status and available records.

What Information Can You Find in a Trademark Status Check?

Depending on the available registry record, the status search may show:

  • Trademark application number.
  • Trademark name or representation.
  • Applicant or proprietor details.
  • Trademark class.
  • Application and filing date.
  • Current application status.
  • Examination report or other available correspondence.
  • Journal publication and registration details, where applicable.

Applicants should review the latest official record rather than relying only on an older status screenshot.

What Do Different Trademark Application Statuses Mean?

Trademark status What it generally indicates
New Application The application has been filed and entered into the Registry system.
Formalities Check Pass Initial filing formalities have been checked successfully.
Objected The examiner has raised one or more objections requiring attention.
Accepted The application has been accepted at the relevant examination stage.
Advertised The mark has been published in the Trademark Journal.
Opposed A third party has filed an opposition against the application.
Registered The trademark has been registered, subject to the official register details.

The exact meaning and next action depend on the application's record and procedural stage. For example, an objected application may require a timely reply, while an opposed application may involve separate proceedings.

How to Search for a Trademark Before Registration?

A trademark search helps applicants identify existing marks that may conflict with a proposed brand name or logo.

A useful search should consider:

  • Identical brand names.
  • Similar spellings.
  • Phonetic similarities and alternative pronunciations.
  • Existing applications and registrations.
  • Relevant trademark classes.
  • Similar marks used for related goods or services.

A simple exact-word search may not identify every potential conflict. A broader similarity assessment can help applicants make a more informed filing decision.

Read more about Trademark Search and Availability Checking.

How Long Does Trademark Registration Take?

Trademark registration in India does not have one fixed completion timeline for every application.

The time required depends on:

  • Registry examination.
  • Whether an objection is raised.
  • Reply and hearing requirements.
  • Journal publication.
  • Whether a third party files an opposition.
  • The complexity of the application and related proceedings.

A straightforward application may progress faster than one involving objections or opposition. Applicants should avoid relying on guaranteed registration dates or fixed processing promises.

What Are the Benefits of Trademark Registration?

Trademark registration offers several important benefits:

Legal protection

Establishes statutory rights over the registered mark for the covered goods or services.

Brand ownership

Helps establish the proprietor's registered rights.

Infringement remedies

Provides a legal basis to take action against unauthorised use, subject to applicable law.

Commercial value

A trademark can become an intangible business asset.

Licensing opportunities

Registered rights can support licensing and commercial arrangements.

Long-term protection

Registration can be renewed every 10 years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trademark Registration

Trademark registration is the legal process of registering a distinctive brand name, logo, word or other eligible mark to establish statutory rights over it in relation to specified goods or services.

The government online filing fee is ₹4,500 per class per mark for eligible individuals, startups and small enterprises, and ₹9,000 for other applicants. Professional service charges are additional unless included in a clearly defined package.

You can file Form TM-A through the official IP India e-filing portal after selecting the trademark, identifying the relevant class, preparing documents and paying the applicable fee.

The process includes a trademark search, class selection, document preparation, TM-A filing, examination, objection handling (if required), journal publication, opposition proceedings (if any), and registration.

™ indicates a trademark claim and may be used before registration. ® indicates a registered trademark and should only be used after registration.

Visit the official IP India trademark status portal, enter the application details, complete the required verification and review the latest application record.

Use the official IP India trademark public search facility to check identical and similar marks across relevant classes before filing.

Trademark registration in India may take approximately 18–24 months (around 2 years) in a straightforward case. However, the timeline may vary depending on examination, objections, hearings, publication and opposition proceedings.

Common documents include applicant identity and address proof, trademark representation, business documents where applicable, authorisation for an agent and user evidence where a prior-use claim is made.

A registered trademark is valid for 10 years from its registration date and can be renewed for successive 10-year periods by paying the applicable renewal fee.

Need Help With Trademark Registration?

Protect your brand with expert trademark registration assistance from Law Certis Consulting. Since 2013, we have supported businesses, startups, MSMEs and individuals with trademark search, filing, status tracking and objection assistance across India.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.