Help: Deposit Requirements

For a general overview on recent changes (as of May 2023) to the deposit requirements for registration, please see Changes to Deposit Requirements at the U.S. Copyright Office.

If you filed an application to register multiple works using one of the group options, you can learn more about the deposit requirement for that type of application by clicking on the links below:

Note: Deposit copies submitted to the Copyright Office will not be returned to the applicant.


Literary Work Deposit Requirements

Generally, you must supply copies representing the entire work being registered. Where possible, applicants should upload their work in an acceptable file type to facilitate examination, storage, and retrieval. If a physical deposit is required, you will need to determine what type of deposit is required based on the type of work you are registering. For more detailed information on the required deposit for the type of work you are registering, see the list below.

NOTE: If you do not find the information you need to submit the required deposit copy(ies) required for registration, or if you have questions, please contact our Public Information Office at 1 (877) 476-0778

.
Visual Art Deposit Requirements

Generally, submit one complete copy of the work if unpublished, two complete copies of the best edition if the work was first published in the United States, or, for certain types of works, identifying material instead of actual copies.

For a basic guide on the deposit requirements for specific types of visual arts works, please see US Copyright Office (Circular 40A).

NOTE: If you do not find the information you need to submit the required deposit copy(ies) required for registration, or if you have questions, please contact our Public Information Office at 1 (877) 476-0778.


Identifying Material

Copyright Office regulations require the deposit of identifying material instead of copies for three-dimensional works and for works that have been applied to three-dimensional objects.

In certain cases, identifying material is permitted; in other cases, it is required. Identifying material should meet the following specifications:


Musical Compositions Deposit Requirements

Submit a deposit of the work being registered. The deposit requirement varies according to the type of work for which registration is sought.

For a basic guide on the deposit requirements for specific types of musical works, please see US Copyright Office (Circular 50).

NOTE: If you do not find the information you need to submit the required deposit copy(ies) required for registration, or if you have questions, please contact our Public Information Office at 1 (877) 476-0778.


Sound Recordings Deposit Requirements

The number and format required depend upon several factors. For a basic guide on the deposit requirements for sound recordings, please see US Copyright Office (Circular 56).

NOTE: If you do not find the information you need to submit the required deposit copy(ies) required for registration, or if you have questions, please contact our Public Information Office at 1 (877) 476-0778.


Motion Pictures Deposit Requirements

In general, you must submit a complete copy and a separate written description of the motion picture being registered. The nature of the copy required and description may vary, depending upon several factors. For a basic guide to the deposit requirements for registration of motion pictures, please see Copyright Registration for Motion Pictures Including Video Recordings (Circular 45).

NOTE: If you do not find the information you need to submit the required deposit copy(ies) required for registration, or if you have questions, please contact our Public Information Office at 1 (877) 476-0778.