How can I register a copyright claim?

Most basic claims can be registered online through the Copyright Office’s 

website at www.copyright.gov. Electronic registration is the fastest and least 

expensive way to file a claim. Alternatively, you can use paper application 

forms available on the website. Or, staff will send you copies by postal mail 

upon request.

How will I know if my application was received?

If you apply for copyright registration online, you will receive confirmation 

by email that your application has been received. If you send your application by postal mail, you will not receive an acknowledgment. If you want to 

know when the Copyright Office receives your mailed application, send it 

by a method that will confirm delivery or by registered or certified mail 

and request a return receipt from the U.S. Postal Service. Allow four to six 

weeks for the return of your receipt.

What is the status of my application?

If you file your copyright claim electronically, you can check the status of 

your claim online. If you file a paper application, we recommend that you 

send it by a method that will confirm delivery. The Copyright Office cannot 

confirm receipt of mailed applications for about six weeks. After that, you can 

select Contact Us at www.copyright.gov to check the status of your claim.

When is my registration effective?

When the Copyright Office issues a registration certificate, it assigns as 

the effective date of registration the date it received all the required elements—an application, a nonrefundable filing fee, and a nonreturnable 

deposit—in acceptable form, regardless of how long it took to process 

the application and mail the certificate. You do not have to receive your 

certificate before you publish or produce your work, nor do you need 

permission from the Copyright Office to place a copyright notice on your 

work. However, the Copyright Office must have acted on your application 

before you can file a suit for copyright infringement, and certain remedies, 

such as statutory damages and attorney’s fees, are available only for acts of 

infringement that occurred after the effective date of registration. If a published work was infringed before the effective date of registration, those 

Before you 

write or call us, 

please read 

these frequently 

asked questions

Have a question aboutCopyright Registratıon?

w
remedies may be available if the effective date of registration 

is no later than three months after the first publication of the 

work.

When will my certificate of registration arrive?

The time the Copyright Office requires to process applications varies, depending on how many applications 

the Office is receiving at the time of submission and the 

method used to apply. For example, electronic claims are 

processed in much less time than those claims filed on paper. 

And electronic claims submitted with electronic deposit 

copies are processed more quickly than electronic claims 

filed with physical deposit copies. For current processing 

times, see Frequently Asked Questions at www.copyright.gov. 

Scroll down to “I’ve Submitted My Application, Fee, and Copy 

of My Work. Now What?”

If the Office must correspond with you to clarify the 

information you provide or to get additional information, 

it may take longer to process your application. If your work 

cannot be registered, you will receive a letter explaining why.

Where should I mail my paper application?

Use the following address when sending us mail:

Library of Congress

U.S. Copyright Office

101 Independence Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20559

Send all items pertaining to your claim—your filing fee, 

completed application (if filing with a paper application), 

and deposit (copies, phonorecords, or identifying material)—

in the same package. Limit boxes to 20 pounds each.

Will security measures damage my deposit?

To avoid damage to your deposit caused by routine security 

measures in place on Capitol Hill, package the following 

items in boxes rather than envelopes for mailing: electronic 

media such as audiocassettes, videocassettes, CDs, and DVDs; 

microform; photographs; and slick advertisements, color 

photocopies, and other items printed with rubber- and 

vegetable-based ink.

How do I request paper application forms?

You can request paper application forms and circulars (limit 

of two each) 24 hours a day by calling (202) 707-9100 and 

leaving a recorded message. Alternatively, select Contact Us at 

www.copyright.gov.

sl-09:  reviewed: 10⁄2014 Printed on recycled paper U.S. Government Printing Office: 2014-xxx-xxx ⁄ xx,xxx

We encourage you to register online at www.copyright.

gov or to photocopy our circulars, blank paper application 

forms, and other informational materials. Or, if you know 

which paper application forms and informational circulars 

you want, request them 24 hours a day from the Forms and 

Publications Hotline at (202) 707-9100. Leave a recorded 

message. To achieve the best-quality downloaded copies, use 

a laser printer. Forms not meeting these requirements will be 

returned.

How can I receive Copyright Office news?

NewsNet is a free electronic newsletter issued to notify subscribers of copyright-related hearings, new and proposed 

regulations, and other subjects. NewsNet is not an interactive 

discussion group. To subscribe, go to the Copyright Office 

website at www.copyright.gov/newsnet.

Can I see a record of my registrations?

View official records of copyright registrations made since 

January 1, 1978, on the Copyright Office website at www.

copyright.gov. Select Search Records. It may take several days 

after you receive your certificate for your registration to 

appear.

For Further Information

By Internet

Circulars, announcements, regulations, paper application 

forms, and other related materials are available from the 

Copyright Office website at www.copyright.gov. To send an 

email communication, select Contact Us at the top of the 

homepage.

By Telephone

For general information about copyright, call the Copyright 

Public Information Office at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-

0778 (toll free). Staff members are on duty from 8:30 am to 

5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, eastern time, except federal 

holidays. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day. 

By Regular Mail

Write to: 

Library of Congress

Copyright Office

101 Independence Avenue SE

Washington, DC 20559