Letting your trademark expire is one of the most avoidable mistakes a business can make. You spent time and effort building your brand, so protecting it should be a no-brainer. The good news? Keeping your registration active isn’t complicated—if you know what to do and when to do it.

Using reliable trademark renewal services helps you stay on track without stress or surprises. These services guide you through the process, catch errors before they cause problems, and make sure your brand stays protected year after year.

Know the Deadlines

Your trademark doesn’t last forever unless you renew it. The first big renewal comes between the 9th and 10th year after registration. After that, you’ll need to renew every 10 years. You can file as early as the 9-year mark. There’s also a 6-month grace period after the 10-year deadline—but it costs extra. Miss that window, and your trademark gets canceled. No warnings. No second chances. Set reminders now. A missed date means starting over from scratch—and someone else could grab your name.

File the Right Forms Together

When it’s time to renew, you don’t just send in a simple request. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requires two things at the 10-year mark:

• A Section 8 Declaration – proving you’re still using the mark in commerce
• A Section 9 Renewal Application – officially asking to extend your registration

These are usually filed together in one combined submission. Skipping either part will get your application rejected.

If you only file Section 8 earlier (between years 5–6), that keeps your mark alive but doesn’t count as renewal.

Show Proof of Use

The USPTO wants real evidence that your trademark is still in action. That means submitting a specimen—a clear example of how you use the mark with your goods or services.

For products, this could be:

• Product labels
• Packaging
• Screenshots of your website showing the item for sale

For services, acceptable specimens include:

• Ads or brochures
• Website pages describing the service
• Business cards or flyers

Each class of goods or services needs its own specimen. Low-quality images or unrelated examples will lead to delays or refusal.

Avoid Common Filing Errors

Even small mistakes can derail your renewal. Here are the usual culprits:

• Uploading blurry or incorrect specimens
• Forgetting to list all active classes
• Providing outdated owner information
• Missing signatures or verification steps

Also, if your business structure changed (like going from sole proprietor to LLC), make sure the ownership details are updated with the USPTO before filing. Double-check everything. One typo can mean rejection and lost fees.

Watch Out for Scams

Once your renewal is due, you’ll likely get letters or emails claiming to be “official” agencies demanding hundreds of dollars for registration or publication. These are not from the government.

Real communication from the USPTO comes through your online account (TEAS). Any invoice from a third party offering “mandatory” services is probably a scam.

Red flags:

• Requests for immediate payment by wire transfer
• Fake deadlines not on the USPTO calendar
• Offers to publish your mark in private directories

Stay calm. Stick to official channels or trusted trademark renewal service providers.

Pay the Correct Fees

Fees are set by the USPTO and must be paid per class of goods or services.

As of now:

• $525 per class if filed on time (within the 10th-year window)
• $625 per class if filed during the 6-month grace period

These are government fees only. If you use help from a professional or platform, there may be an additional service charge.

It might seem like a lot, but compare it to the cost of reapplying—or losing your brand entirely.

Use Online Tools Wisely

All filings go through the USPTO’s TEAS system—there’s no paper option. It’s user-friendly if you’re prepared.

Before logging in:

• Gather your registration number
• Have high-res specimen files ready
• Confirm the current owner’s details
• Decide which classes you’re renewing

Some platforms offer step-by-step guidance, attorney review, and even monitoring alerts when deadlines approach. This kind of support reduces risk and saves time.

Bottom Line

Renewing your trademark doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right plan and dependable trademark renewal services, you can protect your brand with confidence. It’s not just about avoiding fines or rejections—it’s about preserving the value you’ve built. Your name, logo, and reputation are worth more than a few hours of careful attention every decade. Stay proactive. File on time. Submit clean, correct documents. And never let your hard work disappear because of a missed date.