How Much Does a Trademark Search Cost? (Free vs. Comprehensive)

By Nuzayra Haque-Shah, Esq., California-licensed intellectual property attorney, NH Legal P.C. Updated November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice for your situation.

Short answer: a comprehensive trademark search at NH Legal is $899 flat, including attorney analysis and a 30-minute consult. If you plan to file, the StartUp Trademark Package ($3,999 flat plus USPTO fees) includes two comprehensive searches, so you can test a backup name too.

Free search vs. comprehensive search

Free USPTO database search: $0. Finds federal filings that look like yours. Misses state registrations, businesses using a name without registering it, and marks that sound or mean the same.
Comprehensive search with attorney analysis: $899 at NH Legal. Federal, state and common-law results, plus a written read on refusal and conflict risk and a 30-minute consult.

Why the search is the cheapest part of a trademark

Most refusals and oppositions come from a conflicting mark that was findable before filing. The USPTO does not refund the filing fee if your mark is refused, and a rebrand after launch costs far more than a search. If someone is already using a similar name, read can I trademark a name someone else is using?

A search lowers risk. It cannot guarantee registration.

Quick answers

How much does a trademark search cost?

At NH Legal, a comprehensive trademark search with attorney analysis and a 30-minute consult is $899 flat. The StartUp Trademark Package ($3,999 flat plus USPTO fees) includes two comprehensive searches.

Is a free USPTO search enough?

A free search of the USPTO database only finds exact or close federal filings. It misses state registrations, unregistered common-law use, and similar-sounding or similar-meaning marks, which are what most likelihood-of-confusion refusals are based on.

What does a comprehensive trademark search include?

A search of federal and state registrations and common-law use, plus an attorney's opinion on the risk of refusal or conflict and a consult to walk through the results.

Can a search guarantee my trademark will be approved?

No. A search lowers risk; it cannot guarantee registration, because the USPTO examiner and third parties have the final say.

Next step: see every flat fee on our pricing page, or speak with our legal team about your mark.

Key facts and official sources

USPTO: an attorney can conduct a comprehensive clearance search to “decrease the possibility of you having costly legal problems.”
USPTO base application fee: $350 per class (effective January 18, 2025).
USPTO surcharges: $100 per class for insufficient information, $200 per class for using the free-form text box instead of the ID Manual.

Sources: USPTO, Hiring a U.S.-licensed attorney; USPTO, Summary of 2025 trademark fee changes. Government fees change; check the source before filing. This page is general information, not legal advice.