How Does the Copyright Oce Measure Processing Times?
The Copyright Oce measures processing times from the time the Oce receives an appropriate application, the correct ling
fee, and a deposit containing the work being registered until the time when the registration decision has been made. Claims that
are received without a deposit, correct application, or full payment will have a delayed registration decision, which will delay the
processing of the claim.
How long does the registration process take, and when will I receive my certicate?
The amount of time needed to examine a claim and issue a certicate varies depending on a number of factors. These factors may
include the complexity of your claim, the Oce’s available resources when your claim is received, and the total number of claims
that are currently pending with the Copyright Oce. Processing times vary depending on whether you submitted your claim
through the electronic registration system or sent it to the Oce by mail. Processing times also vary depending on whether there are
problems with your claim, and whether the Oce must communicate with you to address those issues.
The Oce understands that processing times are important to applicants and continues to strive towards making the examination
process more ecient.
How can I ensure my claim is processed in a timely manner?
Claims that are submitted electronically are typically processed the fastest. Processing times are typically longer if you submit
your application by mail, or if you submit an electronic application and mail your deposit to the Oce. Thus, the Oce encourages
applicants to use the electronic application and upload an electronic copy of your work whenever possible.
Processing times also increase if there are problems or deciencies with your application, deposit, or ling fee, and if the Oce must
correspond with you to address these issues. To avoid delays, the Oce encourages applicants to refer to the Compendium of U.S.
Copyright Oce Practices and the Copyright Oce’s circulars when completing your application and prior to submitting your claim.
Once your claim has been led, you should routinely monitor your email account for messages from the Copyright Oce. If you
receive an email from the Oce you should respond within 45 days after the message was sent, and you should provide a full and
complete response to the examiner’s questions.
Why is my claim taking longer than the average processing time shown on the Copyright Oce’s website?
Processing times increase whenever there are problems or deciencies with an application, deposit, or ling fee, and whenever the
Copyright Oce must call or write the applicant to address these issues. For example, processing times increase when applicants
submit an electronic application, but do not submit the deposit in a timely manner, or when applicants upload an electronic deposit
in cases where a physical deposit is required. Processing times also increase when an examiner emails the applicant but does not
receive a complete response to his or her questions. While the Oce will attempt to solve some problems through correspondence
with the applicant, claims with deciencies or inaccuracies will always take longer to resolve.
Who do I contact with questions?
The Public Information Oce can provide general information on your pending claim if you contact them by phone at (202) 707-3000
or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free), or online at www.copyright.gov/help.
Registration Processing Times FAQs