💰 Fees & Forms ⏱ 6 min read

TEAS vs. TEAS Plus: Which USPTO Form Should You Use?

The USPTO offers two primary online trademark application forms. TEAS Plus costs $100 less per class — but comes with trade-offs. Choosing the wrong form can cost you money, cause delays, or require costly amendments. Here's everything you need to decide.

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Quick Comparison: TEAS vs. TEAS Plus

Feature	TEAS Plus	TEAS
Filing fee per class	💚 $250	$350
Goods/services descriptions	Must use USPTO ID Manual	✅ Custom descriptions allowed
Email communication required	Yes — mandatory	Yes
Initial application requirements	Stricter — all info upfront	More flexible
Office Action risk	Higher if description doesn't match ID Manual	Lower — you control descriptions
Best for	Simple, standard goods/services	Unique, custom, or complex offerings

What Is TEAS Plus?

TEAS Plus (Trademark Electronic Application System Plus) is the USPTO's discounted application option. At $250 per class (vs. $350 for TEAS), it's the cheaper path — but it comes with strict requirements:

You must select your goods/services descriptions from the USPTO Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual
All required information must be complete at the time of filing (no missing fields)
You must provide a valid email address for USPTO communications

⚠️ If you receive an Office Action on a TEAS Plus application due to a missing requirement, your fee may increase to match TEAS rates — negating the savings.

What Is TEAS?

The standard TEAS application costs $350 per class but gives you full flexibility to write custom descriptions of your goods and services. This matters if your offerings don't fit neatly into the USPTO's pre-approved ID Manual categories.

TEAS is the better choice if:

Your business is highly specialized or niche
You need to describe services in a way not covered by the ID Manual
You're filing an "Intent to Use" application with uncertain future services
You'd rather pay more upfront than risk a TEAS Plus compliance Office Action

Which Should You Choose?

💡 The $100 rule: If your goods/services are simple and clearly described in the USPTO ID Manual, use TEAS Plus and save $100/class. If you need custom descriptions or aren't sure, use TEAS — the $100 extra buys you flexibility and peace of mind.

Use TEAS Plus if:

You sell standard consumer products (clothing, food, software, etc.)
You can find your exact goods/services described in the ID Manual
You're filing multiple classes and want to maximize savings

Use TEAS if:

Your business is unique or specialized
You're a service business with custom offerings
You want maximum flexibility and aren't worried about the extra $100/class

What About TEAS RF?

TEAS RF was a third form that was discontinued by the USPTO on October 3, 2020. If you see it referenced in older guides, ignore it — only TEAS Plus and TEAS exist today.

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