Registration Processing Times*
The Copyright Oce’s processing times vary based on a number of factors, including how dicult a claim is to review, whether an
applicant submitted a physical deposit, whether the Copyright Oce needs to correspond with an applicant, and the number of
registration specialists available to review claims. For example, claims take longer to process when applicants submit online claims
but do not submit physical deposits when necessary, or when applicants do not fully respond to an examiner’s questions. The Oce
encourages applicants to refer to the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Oce Practices and the Copyright Oce’s circulars prior to
submitting applications to avoid unnecessary delays and correspondence.
Overall processing times usually are longer for claims submitted entirely by mail, so the Copyright Oce encourages applying online.
The Oce understands processing times are important and is working to improve them.
For questions, please contact the Public Information Oce by phone at (202) 707-3000 or 1-877-476-0778 (toll-free), or online at
www.copyright.gov/help. While the Public Information Oce can provide information on pending claims, it can take the Copyright
Oce as long as the outer ranges set forth below to issue decisions on whether to register claims.
* Processing times for cases closed October 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024.
Claims that DO NOT require correspondence (approximately 75% of all eService claims and 64% of all claims)
eService Claims: online application with uploaded digital deposit
average 1.2 months
(but claims can range from less than 1 month to 2.6 months)
Claims WITH correspondence (approximately 25% of all eService claims and 21% of all claims)
average 3.5 months
(but claims can range from less than 1 month to 8.3 months)
(approximately 84% of all applications)
Claims that DO NOT require correspondence (approximately 73% of all Deposit Ticket claims and 10% of all claims)
Deposit Ticket Claims: online application with mail-in physical deposit
Claims WITH correspondence (approximately 27% of all Deposit Ticket claims and 4% of all claims)
average 3.0 months
(but claims can range from less than 1 month to 5.6 months)
average 5.6 months
(but claims can range from less than 1 month to 10.8 months)
(approximately 14% of all applications)
Claims that DO NOT require correspondence (approximately 55% of all Mail claims and less than 1% of all claims)
Mail Claims: application by paper form submission
Claims WITH correspondence (approximately 45% of all Mail claims and less than 1% of all claims)
average 4.1 months
(but claims can range from less than 1 month to 13.5 months)
average 8.6 months
(but claims can range from less than 1 month to 19.1 months)
(approximately 1% of all applications)
The average processing time for all claims is 2.1 months. The Oce had to communicate with applicants on
twenty-ve percent of all claims to resolve questions about submitted claims before rendering a decision. For information
on the processing times and correspondence rates for specic types of applications, see the below charts.
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
