Recordation Overview
ELECTRONIC RECORDATION SYSTEM AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC
The Recordation System is now open to the public for recordation of certain transfers of copyright ownership and other documents pertaining to a copyright under section 205 of Title 17 of the United States Code.
For more details about how to submit your documents online, see the Recordation System webpage.
Under the Copyright Act, the U.S. Copyright Office accepts certain types of documents for filing and indexing into the Office’s public records. There are three primary types of documents that may be submitted for recordation: transfers of copyright ownership, other documents pertaining to a copyright, and notices of termination. Once indexed by the Office, recorded documents become available for inspection by the general public.
Currently Processing - Paper Submissions: January 2023 (basic filings); May 2024 for notices of termination.
For faster processing, please use our new online Recordation System.
Regardless of the processing time for your recordation(s), the effective date of recordation is the date the Copyright Office receives your complete submission in acceptable form.
Transfers of Copyright Ownership
A transfer of copyright ownership is “an assignment, mortgage, exclusive license, or any other conveyance, alienation, or hypothecation of a copyright or of any of the exclusive rights comprised in a copyright, whether or not it is limited in time or place of effect, but not including a nonexclusive license.” 17 U.S.C. § 101.
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Other Documents Pertaining to a Copyright
A document pertaining to a copyright is one that “has a direct or indirect relationship to the existence, scope, duration, or identification of a copyright, or to the ownership, division, allocation, licensing, or exercise of rights under a copyright. That relationship may be past, present, future, or potential.” 37 C.F.R. § 201.4(c)(2).
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Notices of Termination
A notice of termination is a notice that terminates a grant to a third party of a copyright in a work or any rights under a copyright. Only certain grants may be terminated, and only in certain circumstances.
Learn MoreMore Information about Recordation
- Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices (Chapter 2300: Recordation)
- Recordation of Transfers and Other Documents (Circular 12)
- Calculating Fees for Recording Documents and Notices of Termination (Circular 12A)
- Document Cover Sheet (Form DCS)
- Notice of Termination Cover Sheet (Form TCS)
- 17 U.S.C. §§ 203, 204, 205, 304(c), 304(d)
- 37 C.F.R. §§ 201.4, 201.10.
- Declarations of Ownership in Musical Works
- Information about submitting other types of documents to the Copyright Office
Recordation Fee Calculator
*Note that electronic title lists may not be submitted with notices of termination.