Sound Recordings
Follow these steps to register your recording of music, drama, or a lecture:
Step 1
Make sure your work is a sound recording. Sound recordings are “works that result from the fixation
of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds, but not including the sounds accompanying a motion picture
or other audiovisual work.” Common examples include recordings of music, drama, or lectures
(read details).
Copyright registration for a sound recording alone is neither the same as, nor a substitute for, registration
for the musical, dramatic, or literary work recorded. The underlying work may be registered in its own right
apart from any recording of the performance, or in certain cases, the underlying work may be registered together
with the sound recording (read details on choosing the correct form).
Note: To register performing arts works, see the Performing Arts
instructions. Read more about the registration of musical
compositions and sound recordings.
Step 2
Put into one envelope or package:
- a completed application Form SR
- a $30 payment to "Register of Copyrights."
- nonreturnable copy(ies) of the material to be registered (read details)
Step 3
Send the package to:
Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000
Please read this important notice about mail delivery disruption.
Your registration becomes effective on the day that the Copyright Office receives your application, payment,
and copy(ies) in acceptable form. If your submission is in order, you will receive a certificate of registration
in 4 to 5 months.
For more details, please see Circular 56, Copyright Registration for Sound
Recordings and other informational circulars.
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