Missing a trademark renewal deadline doesn’t have to mean starting over. The USPTO provides a 6-month grace period after key renewal dates, such as the 5th, 10th, and every 10 years thereafter. But using it comes with extra fees and tight timing. A little planning turns this safety net into a smooth fix. It also prevents you from facing any panic moments. Smart use of trademark renewal services can help you stay on track without paying more than needed or risking your registration.
Know Your Deadlines Cold
Trademark renewals aren’t one-time tasks. You must file between the 5th and 6th year, then again between the 9th and 10th year, and every decade after. The grace period starts the day after each window closes—and lasts exactly 180 days.
Mark both the deadline and the grace period end date.
Set phone or email reminders 60 and 30 days ahead.
Keep your USPTO account login handy.
Don’t assume “a few days late” is fine, as it’s not.
Grace Periods Cost More
Filing during the grace window adds a $200-per-class late fee on top of standard USPTO charges. For a two-class trademark, the charges are $400 extra. These charges are just for missing the cutoff by a day.
Standard renewal is~$525 per class, which includes USPTO fees and service charges.
Grace period renewal is~$725 per class.
Fees are non-refundable, even if your mark gets canceled later.
Budget for the higher cost if you’re already late.
You Still Need Proof of Use
A renewal isn’t just paperwork. It’s a proof which clears that your mark is still active in commerce. The USPTO requires a current specimen showing real customer interaction, like a product label or service invoice.
You Still Need Proof of Use
A renewal is a proof that your mark is still active in commerce. The USPTO requires a current specimen showing real customer interaction, like a product label or service invoice.
Use recent photos of packaging or tags.
Maintain a record of live booking or checkout pages in the form of screenshots and submit them when required.
Avoid ads, business cards, or social posts alone.
Keep dated sales records ready before the deadline hits.
Don’t Add New Goods or Services
Renewals lock in what you originally registered. You can drop unused classes, but you can’t add new ones. Trying to expand during renewal forces a whole new application.
Review your current offerings against your original filing.
Remove any inactive products or services.
Save new ideas for a separate application.
Never assume “close enough” counts, as they must be exact.
Act Fast Once You’re in Grace Mode
The clock doesn’t stop once the grace period starts. Every day you wait raises the risk of missing it entirely. Once it’s gone, your registration cancels and with this. Due to this, you also lose all federal rights.
Make sure to file within the first week of entering the grace period.
Gather specimens and info immediately.
Double-check the owner's name and address for accuracy.
Submit early, even if you’re “only” a month late.
Track Changes in Ownership or Contact Info
If your business moved, changed its name, or had its trademark transferred to an LLC, update that info during renewal. Outdated details usually cause delays, and as of this, your trademark is rejected by the USPTO.
List the current legal owner, not just the founder.
Use a business address that accepts mail.
Confirm that the email and phone are monitored.
Attach assignment documents if ownership changed.
What It All Means
Losing a trademark after years of building your brand is avoidable. The grace period is a backup, so make sure to treat it like a final warning, not a second chance. If you’re already in the grace window, act now. Reliable trademark renewal services can get your filing right the first time. With this, they help you protect what you’ve built, without starting from scratch.
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