Register your business name, logo, or slogan with the North Carolina Secretary of State for $75 — faster and cheaper than a federal application. Note: state registration only protects you within North Carolina; most businesses eventually want federal USPTO protection for nationwide coverage.
A North Carolina state trademark is quick and inexpensive ($75, usually approved within weeks), but it only protects your mark within North Carolina's borders. A federal USPTO trademark costs more ($250–$350 per class) and takes longer, but protects you nationwide and gives you the right to use the ® symbol. Many businesses register at the state level first for fast, affordable protection, then add federal registration once they're operating beyond North Carolina.
We search the North Carolina Secretary of State's existing trademark database to confirm your name, logo, or slogan is not already registered by someone else in North Carolina.
We prepare your application — including a drawing of your mark and the classification of goods or services — and file it with the North Carolina Secretary of State for $75.
State trademark registration is typically approved within a few weeks — far faster than the months-to-years timeline for a federal USPTO application.
If you plan to operate outside North Carolina, or want the strongest possible protection, we can also file your federal USPTO trademark application — the state registration doesn't block this, and often strengthens your federal filing.
Fast, affordable state trademark registration — with federal protection available when you're ready.