Trademark Registration Stages

What Are the Stages of Trademark Registration in India?

Trademark registration in India moves through eight clear stages — from filing and formalities check to examination, journal publication, opposition window, and the final registration certificate. Here's what happens at each stage, how long it usually takes, and what you need to do.

50,000+ customers served

8 stages explained

24–48 hrs filing turnaround

Trademark Registration Package

₹1999 + Govt Fee (₹4500)

Trademark Availability Search
Trademark Registration Under One Class

ORDER NOW

Secure payment via Razorpay · Filing starts same day

Chat on WhatsApp: +91 98182 09246

The Stages at a Glance

What are the stages of trademark registration?

The stages are: 1) trademark search, 2) application filing, 3) formalities check, 4) examination, 5) objection reply or hearing (if raised), 6) publication in the Trademark Journal, 7) opposition period, and 8) registration certificate. A straightforward application with no objection or opposition typically takes 8–18 months from filing to registration.

Not every application goes through every stage. Objections and oppositions are conditional — they only arise if the Registrar or a third party raises an issue with the mark.

Trademark Registration Stages — Status, Timing & Your Action

This table shows what each stage means, the status you'll typically see on the trademark e-Register, and what is expected from you.

Stage	Typical Status Shown	Typical Timing	What You Do
1. Trademark Search	Not applicable (pre-filing)	Same day	Share your brand name and business details
2. Application Filing	Filed / Formalities check pending	24–48 hours	Provide documents and sign authorisation
3. Formalities Check	Formalities check pass	A few days to weeks	Nothing, unless a defect is flagged
4. Examination	Marked for exam / Under examination	Usually a few months	Wait for the examination report
5. Objection Reply / Hearing	Objected	Reply due within 30 days of the report	File a reply; attend a hearing if called
6. Journal Publication	Accepted & advertised	Within weeks of acceptance	Nothing; monitor for opposition
7. Opposition Period	Accepted & advertised / Opposed	4 months from publication	Respond if a third party opposes
8. Registration	Registered	After the opposition window closes	Download your certificate

The 8 Stages of Trademark Registration, Explained

Trademark Search

Before filing, the brand name or logo is checked against existing registered and pending marks to catch identical or deceptively similar ones that could lead to rejection.

Timing: same day

Application Filing

Form TM-A is filed online with the correct class and applicant details. The Registry assigns an application number, which locks in your filing date and lets you use the ™ symbol.

Timing: 24–48 hours

Formalities Check

The Registry confirms the application is complete and correctly filed. If a defect is found, you may be asked to correct it before the application moves forward.

Timing: a few days to a few weeks

Examination

A trademark examiner reviews the mark for distinctiveness and for conflicts with earlier marks, then issues an examination report either accepting the mark or raising objections.

Timing: usually a few months after filing

Objection Reply & Hearing (If Raised)

If the examiner objects, a written reply must be filed within 30 days of the report. If the objection isn't resolved on paper, a hearing before the Registrar may be scheduled.

Timing: reply within 30 days; hearing dates vary

Publication in the Trademark Journal

Once accepted, the mark is published in the Trademark Journal so the public can see it and object if they believe it conflicts with their own rights.

Timing: typically within weeks of acceptance

Opposition Period

Third parties get four months from publication to file a notice of opposition. If one is filed, you submit a counter-statement and the matter proceeds to evidence and a hearing.

Timing: 4 months from publication

Registration Certificate

With no opposition, or after an opposition is decided in your favour, the Registry issues the registration certificate. You can now use the ® symbol, and protection runs for 10 years from the filing date.

Timing: after the opposition window closes

Where Trademark Applications Commonly Get Delayed

Conflicting Earlier Marks

A similar registered or pending mark in the same class is the most common cause of an examination objection.

Wrong Class Selection

Filing in a class that doesn't match your actual goods or services can trigger objections or weaken protection.

Missed Reply Deadlines

Not replying to an examination report within the allowed time can lead the application to be treated as abandoned.

Descriptive or Generic Names

Names that merely describe the product are often objected to as lacking distinctiveness.

Third-Party Opposition

A competitor opposing the mark after publication adds evidence rounds and hearings, extending the timeline.

Incomplete Documents

Missing authorisation, user-date details, or logo files can stall the formalities stage.

Cost of Trademark Registration

The total cost has two parts — our professional filing fee and the mandatory government fee paid directly to the Trademark Registry.

Component	Amount
Professional Filing Fee (SetupFiling.in)	₹1,999
Government Fee (Individual/MSME/Startup, per class)	₹4,500
Government Fee (Other applicants, per class)	₹9,000
Total Payable Today (this package)	₹1,999 + ₹4,500 Govt Fee

Why Choose SetupFiling.in to Guide You Through Every Stage

SetupFiling.in has served over 50,000 customers across India for trademark, GST, and Company Registration filings. We handle the search, filing, and status monitoring, and respond to objections on your behalf, so you're never left guessing which stage your application is at.

50,000+ Customers Served

A trusted track record across trademark, GST, and business registration filings pan-India.

Stage-by-Stage Updates

We track your application and update you as it moves from one stage to the next.

WhatsApp-First Support

Reach your filing manager directly on WhatsApp for status updates and document help.

Related Trademark & Business Registration Services

Trademark Registration in India — Full Guide Detailed Trademark Filing Process Complete Trademark Fee Structure in India Register Your Logo as a Trademark Types of Trademarks You Can Register Respond to a Trademark Objection Trademark Hearing Assistance Renew an Existing Trademark Online Copyright Registration for Your Content Industrial Design Registration Patent Registration for Inventions Private Limited Company Registration New GST Registration Online MSME (Udyam) Registration Certificate Contact Our Filing Team

Frequently Asked Questions — Stages of Trademark Registration

What are the stages of trademark registration in India?

The stages are Trademark Search, application filing, formalities check, examination, objection reply or hearing if raised, journal publication, the opposition period, and the registration certificate.

How long does each stage of trademark registration take?

Filing takes 24–48 hours, examination usually takes a few months, and the opposition window runs for four months from publication, so a clean application typically takes 8–18 months in total.

What happens at the examination stage?

A Trademark Examiner reviews the mark for distinctiveness and conflicts with earlier marks, then issues a report that either accepts the mark or raises objections.

How long do I have to reply to a trademark objection?

A written reply to an examination report generally must be filed within 30 days of the report being issued, so objections should be dealt with promptly.

What is the opposition period in trademark registration?

After the mark is published in the Trademark Journal, third parties have four months to file a notice of opposition if they believe it conflicts with their rights.

Does every trademark application go through objection and opposition?

No, objection and opposition only occur if the examiner raises an issue or a third party objects; many applications move straight from examination to publication to registration.

When can I use the ® symbol?

The ® symbol can be used only after the final stage, once the Registry has issued the registration certificate; before that, the ™ symbol can be used after filing.

How much does trademark registration cost in India?

Our professional filing fee is ₹1,999, plus the government fee of ₹4,500 per class for individuals, MSMEs, and startups (₹9,000 for other entities).

Start Stage 1 Today — Protect Your Brand

₹1999 professional fee + Govt Fee (₹4500) · Trademark Availability Search + Registration Under One Class

ORDER NOW WhatsApp: +91 98182 09246