How to Do Trademark Registration Online in 2026

Step-by-Step Process for Online Trademark Filing

Gone are the days when registering a trademark meant standing in long queues at government offices or hiring expensive agents to handle paperwork. Today, the entire trademark registration process can be completed online through the official IP India portal in under an hour.

This guide walks you through every step of online trademark registration. from creating your account to downloading your acknowledgment receipt, along with common pitfalls to avoid.

Before You Start: Prerequisites

Before you begin the online filing, make sure you have:

1. Valid email address and mobile number: for creating your account and receiving updates
2. PAN card: for identity verification
3. Aadhaar card or passport: for address verification
4. Trademark image (if filing a logo): 300 DPI, less than 1MB, in JPEG format
5. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): recommended for company filings, optional for individuals
6. Bank details or credit/debit card: for paying government fees online

Important: Do not start the online filing until you have completed a thorough trademark search. Filing for a mark that conflicts with an existing trademark will result in an objection, wasting your time and money. Read our guide on how to conduct a trademark search first.

Step-by-Step Online Filing Process

Step 1: Create an Account on the IP India Portal

Visit the official website: ipindia.nic.in

1. Click on “e-Filing” in the top navigation
2. Select “New User? Register Here”
3. Fill in your personal or company details:

• Full name (individual) or company name
• Email address
• Mobile number
• PAN number
• Address

4. Create a username and password
5. Verify your email and mobile number via OTP
6. Log in to your new account

Account types:

• Individual applicant
• Company/LLP applicant
• Registered trademark agent/attorney

Step 2: Select the Application Type

Once logged in, you will see the dashboard with various application options. For a new trademark registration, select:

TM-A: Application for Registration of a Trademark

Other application types you may encounter:

• TM-O: Application for opposition to a trademark
• TM-R: Application for renewal of a trademark
• TM-C: Application for correction/amendment

Step 3: Choose the Filing Type

You will be asked to select the type of application:

Filing Type	When to Use
Ordinary Application	Standard filing with no special claims
Convention Application	Claiming priority based on a foreign filing (Paris Convention)
Application with Series	Multiple marks that differ only in non-distinctive elements

For most first-time filers, select Ordinary Application.

Step 4: Fill in the Applicant Details

Enter the following information carefully:

For Individual Applicants:

• Full legal name (as per PAN)
• Nationality
• Current address
• Occupation
• PAN number

For Companies/LLPs:

• Company name (exactly as per Certificate of Incorporation)
• Registered office address
• Corporate Identification Number (CIN)
• Type of entity (Private Limited, LLP, etc.)
• Authorized signatory details

For Foreign Applicants:

• Company/individual name
• Country of incorporation/residence
• Registered address in the foreign country
• Authorized Indian agent details (if applicable)

Tip: Ensure the applicant name exactly matches your PAN or incorporation certificate. Even a minor discrepancy can cause the application to be rejected.

Step 5: Describe Your Trademark

You will need to specify:

1. Type of trademark:

• Word mark (text only)
• Device mark (logo/image)
• Word and device mark (combined)

2. The trademark itself:

• For word marks: Type the exact word(s) as you want them registered
• For device marks: Upload the image file in JPEG format, 300 DPI

3. Description of the trademark:

• Write a brief description (e.g., “The mark consists of the word ‘GreenLeaf’ in stylized font with a leaf icon”)

Step 6: Select the Trademark Class(es)

This is a critical step. You must select the correct Nice Classification class for your goods or services.

How to choose the right class:

• Review the full list of 45 classes
• Identify which class covers your primary products or services
• You can file in multiple classes if needed (additional fee applies)

Common classes by industry:

Industry	Recommended Class
Technology/Software	Class 9 (software), Class 42 (tech services)
Food & Beverages	Class 30 (packaged food), Class 32 (drinks), Class 43 (restaurant services)
Fashion/Apparel	Class 25 (clothing, footwear)
Education	Class 41 (educational services)
Beauty/Health	Class 3 (cosmetics), Class 44 (medical/beauty services)
Retail/E-commerce	Class 35 (advertising, retail services)
Finance	Class 36 (insurance, financial services)

Warning: Filing in the wrong class is one of the most common causes of rejection. If you are unsure, consult a trademark attorney who can help you identify all relevant classes.

Step 7: Describe Your Goods/Services

For each selected class, provide a detailed description of the goods or services you offer.

Format guidelines:

• Use standard terminology from the Nice Classification
• Be specific “mobile applications for fitness tracking” rather than “apps”
• List all products/services you intend to use the trademark for

Example:

Class 9: Computer software for project management; downloadable mobile applications for business productivity; electronic publications in the field of business management

Step 8: Claim User Date (If Applicable)

If you have been using the trademark in commerce before filing, you can claim a “user date.” This establishes priority based on actual use.

Requirements:

• You must provide evidence of use (invoices, website screenshots, advertisements, etc.)
• The user affidavit must state: “The applicant has been using the said trade mark since [date]”

Note: Even if you file on a “proposed to be used” basis, you can later amend the application to claim a user date by filing Form TM-16 within 3 months of the application number being advertised.

Step 9: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload the following documents:

1. Trademark image (for device marks): JPEG, 300 DPI
2. Identity proof: PAN card (individuals) or incorporation certificate (companies)
3. Address proof: Aadhaar card, utility bill, or company address proof
4. Power of Attorney: Signed authorization form (if filing through an agent)
5. User affidavit: Proof of prior use (if claiming user date)
6. Priority document: Certified copy of foreign filing (if claiming convention priority)

Step 10: Pay the Government Fee

After completing the form, you will be redirected to the payment gateway.

Government fees (as of latest schedule):

Category	One Class	Each Additional Class
Individual/Proprietor/Startup	INR 4,500	INR 4,500
Individual/Proprietor/Startup (Urgent)	INR 10,000	INR 10,000
Company/LLP/Partnership	INR 9,000	INR 9,000
Company/LLP/Partnership (Urgent)	INR 25,000	INR 25,000

Payment methods accepted:

• Credit card
• Debit card
• Net banking
• NEFT/RTGS

After successful payment, you will receive a payment confirmation number.

Step 11: Submit and Download Acknowledgment

1. Review all the information on the final page
2. Click “Submit Application”
3. Download the acknowledgment receipt (TM-A acknowledgment)
4. Save it securely: this is your proof of filing

The acknowledgment contains:

• Application number (track your application with this)
• Filing date and time
• Trademark details
• Class(es) filed in
• Government fee paid

Critical: Keep this acknowledgment safe. You will need it to track your application status, respond to Examination Reports, and for any future correspondence with the Registry.

After Filing: What Happens Next?

Once your application is submitted, here is what to expect:

Tracking Your Application

You can track your trademark application status on the IP India portal using your application number.

Status stages:

1. Formalities Check Pass: Your application passed initial review
2. Marked for Examination: Assigned to an examiner
3. Examination Report Issued: Examiner has reviewed your application
4. Accepted/Abandoned: Application accepted or rejected
5. Advertised Before Registration: Published in the Trade Marks Journal
6. Registered: Certificate issued (if no opposition)
7. Opposed: Someone filed an opposition

Timeline After Filing

Milestone	Typical Duration
Formalities check	1-2 weeks
Assignment to examiner	1-2 months
Examination Report issued	2-3 months from filing
Response deadline (if objected)	30 days from report
Publication in journal	1-2 months after clearance
Registration certificate	1-2 months after publication

Total time to registration (smooth process): 18-24 months

For a detailed timeline: Trademark Registration Timeline Guide.

What to Do If You Receive an Examination Report

Not all applications pass examination on the first try. If the examiner raises objections:

1. Do not panic: objections are common and often resolvable
2. Read the Examination Report carefully: understand the specific grounds for objection
3. Respond within 30 days: missing the deadline means your application is abandoned
4. Draft a response: address each objection point-by-point with evidence and legal arguments
5. Hire a lawyer if needed: complex objections require professional handling

The cost of responding to objections: Trademark Objection Response Guide.

The TM Symbol: When and How to Use

TM Symbol (™)

• You can use this symbol immediately after filing your application
• It signals to others that you claim trademark rights in the mark
• No registration is required to use ™

Registered Symbol (®)

• You can only use this after your trademark is officially registered
• Using ® before registration is illegal and can result in penalties
• Once registered, you should update all branding materials to use ®

Common Errors During Online Filing

Based on the thousands of applications processed annually, here are the most common filing errors:

1. Mismatched applicant name: The name on the application does not match the PAN/incorporation certificate
2. Wrong class selection: Filing in a class that does not cover your actual products or services
3. Low-resolution logo: Uploading a blurry or oversized image
4. Incomplete specification of goods/services: Being too vague or using non-standard terminology
5. Incorrect address: Using an outdated or incorrect address for service
6. Missing Power of Attorney: Not attaching the signed authorization when filing through an agent
7. Not saving the acknowledgment: Losing the application number and payment receipt

Online vs Offline Filing: Which Is Better?

Feature	Online Filing	Offline Filing
Speed	Same-day submission	1-2 weeks for processing
Convenience	24/7 access from anywhere	Requires physical visit to Registry office
Acknowledgment	Instant digital receipt	Delayed physical receipt
Fee	Same as offline	Same as online
Tracking	Real-time status updates	Manual tracking
Corrections	Easier to amend before submission	Harder to modify after submission

Recommendation: Online filing is faster, more convenient, and equally valid. Use it unless you have a complex application that requires in-person assistance.

FAQs

Ready to Start?

Filing your trademark online is straightforward if you prepare correctly. The key is to do your trademark search first, choose the right class, and fill in every detail accurately.

At LexLegalizer, we handle the entire online trademark filing process for you. from search to submission, so you can focus on building your brand. No queues, no paperwork, no confusion.

Book a free consultation and get your trademark filed today.