The documents required for trademark registration include Form TM-A, Form TM-48, identity and address proof, and a JPEG image of the logo. If applicable, you’ll also need a Udyam or DPIIT certificate and a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Companies, LLPs, and partnerships also need their incorporation certificate, partnership deed, or board resolution. These documents help the Registry verify the applicant under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
The exact documents you need depend on your applicant type, whether you’re an individual, proprietorship, partnership firm, LLP, or company, applying for trademark registration. Missing even one can delay examination by 4 to 6 months.
Key Takeaways
- Common documents, such as Form TM-A, the logo, and a Class 3 DSC, apply to every applicant. Entity-specific documents vary by business structure.
- Proprietorships file in the individual’s name using personal ID and business proof. Companies and LLPs need incorporation documents and a Board Resolution or authorization letter.
- HUFs, Trusts, and Societies file through an authorized Karta, trustee, or office bearer, not as individuals.
- Foreign applicants must appoint a local Indian agent with an address for service.
- Logos must be uploaded in JPEG format at 8 cm × 8 cm.
- Only scanned copies are needed at filing. Original documents aren’t required.
- DPIIT/Udyam certification can reduce the government filing fee to ₹4,500 per class from ₹9,000 per class.
Common Documents Required for Trademark Registration For All Types of Businesses
Here’s the complete list of documents required for trademark registration in India that apply to every applicant, regardless of entity type:
| Document | Mandatory / Optional | Purpose |
| Form TM-A (trademark application) | Mandatory | The trademark application form itself |
| Form TM-48 (Power of Attorney) | Mandatory if filing through an agent or attorney | Authorizes an agent or attorney to file on your behalf |
| Identity proof (PAN, Aadhaar, Passport, DL) | Mandatory | Verifies the applicant’s identity |
| Address proof | Mandatory | Confirms the applicant’s registered address |
| Logo image in JPEG (verify exact size spec) | Mandatory for device/logo marks | Official graphical representation of your mark on record |
| Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) | Mandatory for online filing | Required to sign and submit on the IP India e-filing portal |
| User Affidavit | Mandatory if claiming prior use | Establishes your date of first commercial use |
| No Objection Certificate (NOC) | Mandatory if the mark contains a person’s name or image | Consent from the named or pictured individual |
Additional Documents Required for Trademark Registration
Individuals or business entities must provide the following documents, based on their applicability and requirements:
1. 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.
2. 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.
Beyond these, different business structures come with their own specific document requirements, covered in detail below.
What Documents are Required for Trademark Registration for a Partnership Firm?
The trademark application lists the partnership firm as the applicant, not any individual partner, so you’ll also need documents proving the firm exists:
- Form TM-A
- Logo (graphical representation)
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48)
- Partnership Deed and Registration Certificate, if the firm is registered with the Registrar of Firms
- Udyam/MSME Certificate, if applicable
- Startup Recognition Certificate (DPIIT), if applicable
- Details of Trademark Owner
- User Affidavit (if claiming prior use)
Documents Required for Trademark Registration for a Company or LLP
Companies and LLPs need to prove both the entity’s existence and who is authorized to sign on its behalf, in addition to the usual application documents:
- Form TM-A
- Certificate of Incorporation (CoI)
- Board Resolution (for companies) or authorization letter from a designated partner (for LLPs)
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48)
- Logo (graphical representation)
- Udyam/MSME Certificate, if applicable
- Startup Recognition Certificate (DPIIT), if applicable
- Details of Trademark Owner
- User Affidavit (if claiming prior use)
Documents for Trademark Registration for an Individual or Proprietorship
Since a proprietorship isn’t a separate legal entity, the individual owner files using personal identity documents, not business registration:
- Form TM-A
- PAN and Aadhaar (or Passport/Voter ID) of the applicant
- Logo (graphical representation), if applicable
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48), if filing through an agent
- Udyam/DPIIT Certificate, if claiming the fee concession
- Details of Trademark Owner
- User Affidavit (if claiming prior use)
Documents Required for Trademark Registration for a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
A HUF applies through its Karta, the family’s managing member, so identity documents belong to the Karta while the application reflects the HUF as the applicant entity:
- Form TM-A
- PAN card of the HUF
- PAN and Aadhaar of the Karta
- Logo (graphical representation), if applicable
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48), if filing through an agent
- Details of Trademark Owner
- User Affidavit (if claiming prior use)
What Documents are Needed for Trademark Registration for a Trust or Society?
Trusts and societies file through an authorized trustee or office bearer, so the application needs to establish both the entity’s registration and who’s authorized to sign:
- Form TM-A
- Trust Deed or Society Registration Certificate
- Authorization letter or resolution naming the trustee or office bearer authorized to file
- PAN and Aadhaar of the authorized signatory
- Logo (graphical representation), if applicable
- POA (Form TM-48), if filing through an agent
- Details of Trademark Owner
- User Affidavit (if claiming prior use)
Documents Required for Trademark Registration for a Foreign Applicant
Foreign individuals and companies can register a trademark in India, but must route the application through a local agent, since the Registry requires an Indian address for service:
- Form TM-A
- CoI or equivalent business registration document (for foreign companies)
- Passport or equivalent identity proof (for foreign individuals)
- Power of Attorney (Form TM-48), appointing an Indian trademark agent or attorney with a local address for service
- Logo (graphical representation), if applicable
- Details of Trademark Owner
- User Affidavit (if claiming prior use)
Did You Know? Submitting the right business proof can reduce your government filing fee by 50%. Your per-class fee drops from ₹9,000 to ₹4,500 if you provide a DPIIT Recognition Certificate, Udyam Registration Certificate, or proof of individual or proprietorship status.
Trademark registration fees in India vary by applicant type, filing method, and class, so it’s worth checking the full breakdown before you file.
Tips and Common Mistakes for Trademark Registration Documents
Before submitting your application, it’s crucial to check the required documents for trademark registration carefully. Any missing or incorrect document can lead to trademark objections or delays. Here’s what most often goes wrong, and how to avoid it.
- Using an outdated Class 2 DSC: Class 2 DSCs were discontinued in January 2021 and are no longer accepted. Confirm you have a valid Class 3 DSC before starting your application, not after.
- Skipping the trademark search: Filing without checking for conflicts increases the risk of objections or opposition later. Run a comprehensive search first, using a free trademark search tool to catch phonetic or visual similarities before you apply.
- Uploading a logo that doesn’t meet spec: Logos in the wrong format or size can trigger objections or delay processing. Upload in JPEG format at 8 cm × 8 cm, specify the colour(s) claimed for colour marks, and keep word marks in plain text.
- Under-stamping Form TM-48: Power of Attorney stamped at the wrong value is a common, easily avoidable rejection reason. Confirm the correct non-judicial stamp paper value under your state’s stamp duty law before filing, since this varies by state.
Not sure which documents apply to your business, or worried about getting a detail wrong? RegisterKaro’s in-house IP team handles document prep, filing, and objection response end-to-end, so nothing slips through. Contact us today to get your trademark filed right the first time!
