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:
- Group Registration of Unpublished Works (GRUW)
- Group Registration of Works on an Album (GRAM)
- Group Registration of Published Photographs (GRPPH)
- Group Registration of Unpublished Photographs (GRUPPH)
- Group Registration of Short Online Literary Works (GRTX)
- Group Registration of Serials (GRSE)
- Group Registration of Newspapers (GRNP)
- Group Registration of Newsletters (GRNL)
- Group Registration of Contributions to periodicals (GRCP)
- Group Registration of Secure Test Items (GRSTQ)
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.
- Unpublished Works: One complete copy representing the entire work being registered. Where possible, applicants should upload their work in an acceptable file type.
- Published Works: In general, one complete copy of the best edition (read more).
- Works First Published Outside the U.S.: One complete copy of the first foreign edition.
- Contribution to a Collective Work: One complete copy of the best edition of the collective work, or a copy of the contribution itself as it was published in the collective work.
- Computer Programs: One copy of identifying portions of the program reproduced in a visually perceptible form, together with the page containing the copyright notice. For details please see Copyright Registration for Computer Programs (Circular 61).
- Databases: Please review our web guide for Copyright Registration for Automated Databases.
- Secure Tests: Please see Copyright Registration for Secure Tests (Circular 64).
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:
- Type of identifying material
- The material should consist of two-dimensional reproductions or renderings of the work, in a form visually perceivable without the aid of a machine or device. The image of the work should show clearly the entire copyrightable content of the work.
- Color or black and white
- If the work is a pictorial or graphic work, the material should reproduce the actual colors employed in the work. In all other cases, the material may be in black and white or may consist of a reproduction of the actual colors.
- Completeness
- As many pieces of identifying material should be submitted as are necessary to show clearly the entire copyrightable content of the work for which registration is being sought.
- Number of sets
- Only one set of complete identifying material is required.
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.