New Online Option for Copyright Registration

Future Development
In the future, the Copyright Office will offer the option to file a copyright registration online through this website. A limited number of participants are beta testing the new system this summer. Once testing is complete, the system will be available to members of the public. Advantages will include:
  • Lower filing fee of $35 for a basic claim
    (for online filings only).
  • Fastest processing time
  • Earlier effective date of registration
  • Online status tracking
  • Payment online by credit card
    or Copyright Office deposit
    account
Alternatively, the Office will also continue to offer the option to complete an application online,
print it out, and mail it to the Copyright Office.


In the future, enhanced versions of our forms will be available. These forms will be programmed with special, scannable barcodes that contain the information you type into the form. With new scanning

 
software, the Office will be able to process these forms faster and more efficiently. Check back at this website for availability of the new versions.

Note that the current $45 fee for a paper application will be retained.


Online service is at the heart of improvements coming to the Copyright Office as part of a major reengineering effort. In addition, streamlined internal processing using better-integrated information technology systems will result in faster service overall and better tracking of work in progress.


These improvements will extend to many Copyright Office services including registration, the recordation of documents, and the provision of information and copies of Copyright Office records.

Please note: Documents submitted for recordation cannot be filed electronically, and there will be no changes in fees for recording documents. Registration and recordation records will be available online in a new format and with more powerful search capability including keyword searching. (Read more about the reengineering program.)