What documents are required for trademark registration in India?

You must submit Form TM-A, Form TM-48 (if filing through an agent), identity and address proof, and a logo image in JPEG format for device marks. You also need a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate. If you claim a fee concession, include a Udyam or DPIIT certificate.

What documents does an individual need for trademark registration?

An individual must provide a government-issued ID, such as PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, or Driving License, along with valid address proof. You should also submit the trademark logo in JPEG format for device marks. If filing through an attorney, include a signed Form TM-

3. What documents are required for trademark registration for a proprietorship?

A sole proprietor must submit the owner’s PAN and Aadhaar, valid address proof, and business proof such as a GST or Udyam certificate. You should also include the trademark logo if applicable and file Form TM-A. Udyam registration helps you claim the reduced government fee.

Which DSC class is required for trademark registration?

You must use a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate for trademark registration in India. Authorities no longer accept Class 2 DSCs on the IP India portal. You can obtain a Class 3 DSC from licensed Certifying Authorities like eMudhra, Sify, or Capricorn.

Is a digital signature mandatory for trademark registration?

Yes, you must use a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate to file a trademark application online. The DSC should belong to the applicant or the authorized signatory. Without a valid DSC, you cannot complete the e-filing process on the IP India portal.

What is the difference between Form TM-A and Form TM-48?

Form TM-A serves as the main trademark application filed with the Trademarks Registry. Form TM-48 acts as a Power of Attorney that authorizes an agent or attorney to represent you. You only need TM-48 if you choose to file through a representative.

Do I need a Power of Attorney to register a trademark?

You only need a Power of Attorney if you file your trademark application through a registered agent or attorney. This document allows them to act on your behalf. If you file the application yourself, you do not need to submit Form TM-

8. What is a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in trademark registration?

A No Objection Certificate allows you to use another person’s name, image, or identity in your trademark. You must obtain a signed NOC from that individual. This requirement applies especially when the mark involves celebrities or third-party rights.

How long does trademark registration take in India?

Trademark registration usually takes 12 to 18 months if no objections or oppositions occur. The process includes examination, publication in the Trademark Journal, and a 4-month opposition period. After clearance, the authority grants final registration of the trademark.

What is the TM-A form?

Form TM-A is the official application form used to register a trademark in India. You must submit it to the Trademarks Registry with complete details of the applicant, trademark, and class. Any errors or missing information in this form can lead to delays or objections.

Who is eligible for the 50% trademark fee concession in India?

The reduced fee of ₹4,500 per class (vs ₹9,000 for others) applies to individuals, sole proprietors, DPIIT-recognized startups, and Udyam-registered MSMEs (Micro & Small enterprises). To claim the concession, submit one of the following at filing: Udyam Registration Certificate, DPIIT Recognition Certificate, or proof of individual/proprietor status. Companies, LLPs, partnerships, and Medium enterprises pay the full ₹9,000 per class.

What documents are required for trademark registration for a proprietorship?

A sole proprietor needs: PAN and Aadhaar of the proprietor (identity + address proof), business proof (GST certificate, Udyam Registration, or any government-issued business document), the logo in JPEG (if filing a device mark), Form TM-A, and Form TM-48 (if filing through a trademark attorney). Submitting the Udyam certificate qualifies the proprietor for the reduced ₹4,500 government fee per class.

What is the file format and size limit for the trademark logo?

The logo must be uploaded in JPEG format, sized within 9 cm × 5 cm at 300 DPI resolution, and saved as a high-quality file (typically under 2 MB). Coloured logos must claim specific colours in the application; black-and-white submissions cover all colour variations of the same mark.

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Intellectual Property Trademark

Documents Required for Trademark Registration in India: Complete Checklist (2026)

Srihari Dhondalay

Updated:Apr 30, 2026

11 min read

The documents required for trademark registration in India include Form TM-A (trademark application), Form TM-48 (Power of Attorney, if filed through an agent), identity and address proof of the applicant (PAN, Aadhaar, passport, or driving licence), a JPEG image of the logo (for device marks), Udyam or DPIIT certificate (for fee concession), and a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Companies, LLPs, and partnerships additionally need their incorporation certificate, partnership deed, or board resolution authorizing the filing.

Trademark registration under the Trade Marks Act, 1999, is what legally secures your brand name, logo, or slogan against unauthorized use. The exact documents you need vary by applicant type, individual, proprietor, partnership firm, LLP, or company, and missing even one can delay the application by 4–6 months at the examination stage.

This 2026 guide gives you the complete document checklist by applicant type, the optional documents that strengthen your filing, the exact forms involved, and concession rules under the Trade Marks Rules, 2017.

Documents Required for Trademark Registration: Quick Checklist

Document	Mandatory / Optional	Applies To
Form TM-A (trademark application)	Mandatory	All applicants
Form TM-48 (Power of Attorney)	Mandatory if the mark contains a person’s name/image	All applicants
Identity proof (PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, DL)	Mandatory	Individuals, proprietors, partners, directors
Address proof	Mandatory	All applicants
Logo image in JPEG (max 9×5 cm, 300 DPI)	Mandatory for device/logo marks	Logo marks only
Udyam / DPIIT / MSME certificate	Optional (for 50% fee concession)	Startups, MSMEs
Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)	Mandatory for online filing	All applicants
Certificate of Incorporation	Mandatory	Companies / LLPs
Board Resolution	Mandatory	Companies
Partnership Deed	Mandatory	Partnership firms
Affidavit of usage	Mandatory if claiming prior use	Applicants claiming prior use
NOC	Mandatory if mark contains a person’s name/image	Case-specific

What is a Trademark?

Under Section 2(zb) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, a trademark is “a mark capable of being represented graphically and capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one person from those of others.” It can include a brand name, logo, slogan, label, packaging, sound, shape, or even colour combination.

Trademarks in India are governed by the Trade Marks Act, 1999 and the Trade Marks Rules, 2017, and administered by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) through the IP India portal. India follows the Nice Classification (NCL) system maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which categorizes goods and services into 45 classes (Classes 1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services).

Eligible applicants include individuals, sole proprietors, partnership firms, LLPs, companies, trusts, societies, and HUFs. Read more on the basics of trademark law in India

List of Documents Required for Trademark Registration

When applying for trademark registration, submitting the correct documents is crucial to ensure a smooth process. Here’s a comprehensive list of documents you need for the trademark registration:

1. Trademark Application (TM-A Form)

The TM-A form is the primary document required for trademark registration. Fill it out completely and sign it to avoid delays. Ensure you provide all necessary details, as incomplete forms can result in rejection or further processing delays.

2. Authorization Form (TM-48)

If you’re filing through an agent or attorney, you must submit the TM-48 form. This form grants your agent the authority to file the application on your behalf. Make sure the agent or attorney is properly authorized to handle your application.

3. Identity & Address Proof (By Applicant Type)

The documents required for trademark registration vary based on who is filing. Below is the applicant-wise breakdown:

For Individuals / Sole Proprietors: PAN card + any one of Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence (as identity and address proof). Proprietors must additionally submit a GST Registration, Udyam Registration, or proprietorship business proof to qualify for the reduced trademark fee.
For Partnership Firms: Notarised partnership deed, PAN of the firm, and identity + address proof of all partners.
For LLPs: LLP Incorporation Certificate, LLP Agreement, PAN of the LLP, and identity proof of designated partners.
For Companies (Pvt Ltd / Public / OPC): Certificate of Incorporation, board resolution authorizing the trademark filing (signed by all directors or as per quorum), PAN of the company, and identity proof of the authorized signatory.
For Trusts / Societies / HUFs: Trust deed / society registration certificate / HUF deed, PAN, and identity proof of the trustee / authorized representative.

4. Logo/Brand Image

If you’re applying for a logo or a design mark, you need to submit a high-resolution image of your logo in JPEG format. This step is optional for word marks (text-only trademarks). Make sure the image quality is good for clear visibility, especially when printed or scaled down.

5. Proof of Business

Businesses seeking a fee concession under MSME or startup recognition must submit proof of business registration. Submit a Udyam Registration Certificate (which replaced the older Udyog Aadhaar in July 2020) or a DPIIT Recognition Certificate for startups.

Disclaimer: Trademark requirements may vary depending on the applicant type, trademark class, and specific legal circumstances. Always verify the latest requirements through the official IP India portal or consult a trademark professional.

Additional Documents Required for Trademark Registration

Individuals or business entities must provide the following documents, based on their applicability and requirements:

1. Power of Attorney (if applicable)

If someone is filing the trademark on your behalf, submit a Power of Attorney. This document grants legal authority to your agent or attorney to represent you during the process.

2. Signed Affidavit for Usage Claim

If you have already used your trademark in commerce, submit a signed affidavit confirming the mark’s use in the market. The affidavit is a trademark registration requirement for businesses claiming prior use of the mark.

3. Board Resolution Authorizing Trademark Filing (for Companies)

Companies filing a trademark must pass a Board Resolution that officially approves the trademark application. The resolution should clearly state that the company agrees to file the trademark.

4. No Objection Certificate (NOC)

If the trademark includes a person’s name or image, or if you need permission from a third party, submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This applies to co-owned brands or trademarks involving the name/image of others. If the mark includes a celebrity’s name or likeness, you must obtain an NOC from the celebrity.

Trademark Registration Fees by Applicant Type (2026)

Submitting the right business proof unlocks a 50% government fee concession. Here are the official IP India fees for 2026:

Applicant Type	E-Filing Fee (per class)	Physical Filing Fee (per class)
Individual	₹4,500	₹5,000
Sole Proprietor	₹4,500	₹5,000
Startup (DPIIT-recognised)	₹4,500	₹5,000
Small Enterprise (Udyam / MSME)	₹4,500	₹5,000
Partnership Firm (other than MSME)	₹9,000	₹10,000
LLP / Company / Trust (non-MSME)	₹9,000	₹10,000

The reduced ₹4,500 rate applies if you can produce one of the following: DPIIT Recognition Certificate, Udyam Registration Certificate, or proof of individual/proprietor status. Read our complete Trademark Registration Fees in India guide for the full breakup, including class search, opposition, and renewal fees.

Key Considerations for Trademark Registration in India

Before submitting your trademark registration application, it’s crucial to check the details required for trademark registration. Any missing or incorrect document can lead to trademark objections or delays. Here are a few tips to ensure a smooth process:

Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): All e-filings on the IP India portal require a valid Class 3 DSC. Class 2 DSCs were discontinued by CCA India in January 2021 and are no longer accepted. The DSC must belong to the applicant or the authorized signatory (in case of companies, LLPs, or partnerships).
Trademark Objections: Always conduct a comprehensive trademark search before applying. Confirming that no existing trademarks conflict with yours helps you avoid trademark infringement issues. If there’s any opposition to your application, be ready to respond promptly.
Mark Specification Standards: Logos must be uploaded in JPEG format, with a maximum size of 9 cm × 5 cm at 300 DPI resolution. Coloured marks must specify the colour(s) claimed; word marks should be submitted in plain text without stylization.
Power of Attorney Stamping: Form TM-48 must be executed on a stamp paper of ₹100 (or the applicable state stamp duty) and signed by the applicant before being submitted by the trademark attorney or agent.

Tip: Use RegisterKaro’s trademark availability search tool to check for any phonetic or visual similarities in your industry. This reduces the chances of objections later.

Trademark Infringement: Trademark registration provides legal protection against unauthorized use, aka Trademark infringement of your mark. It also makes it easier to enforce your rights if someone tries to infringe upon your trademark.

Careful document checks, correct DSC selection, and prior trademark searches help ensure smooth trademark registration without objections.

Conclusion

The documents required for trademark registration in India in 2026 break into three buckets: applicant identity proofs (PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, DL), business proofs (Udyam, DPIIT, COI, Partnership Deed, LLP Agreement, etc.), and trademark-specific documents (Form TM-A, Form TM-48, JPEG logo, affidavit of use, NOC, Class 3 DSC). Submitting the right combination on the first attempt is the single biggest factor in clearing the examination stage within 4–6 months and reaching final registration in 12–18 months.

Trademark filings get rejected most often for avoidable reasons, wrong DSC class, low-resolution logo, missing NOC, incorrect Form TM-48 stamping, or the wrong fee category. RegisterKaro has handled 25,000+ trademark applications with a 95%+ first-time acceptance rate and end-to-end support across:

Trademark availability search
Trademark registration filing
Trademark objection response
Opposition, renewal, and assignment

Talk to a trademark expert for a free 15-minute consultation and a fixed-price quote within 24 hours.

Srihari Dhondalay

Srihari Dhondalay is a Chartered Accountant and Co-Founder at RegisterKaro with over 7 years of experience in financial strategy, taxation, and business advisory. Before co-founding RegisterKaro, he honed his expertise at KPMG and Angel Broking, working across audit, tax planning, and corporate finance. Having cleared the CA Final, IPCC, and CPT exams, Srihari now focuses on helping early-stage founders make smarter financial decisions, from GST structuring to fundraise-ready bookkeeping. He has personally advised over 1,000 startups and SMEs across India.