Copyright Office Expands Recordation System Access to the Public

In 2020, the U.S. Copyright Office introduced a limited pilot program for an online recordation system that will eventually replace the current paper-based process. Today, the Copyright Office expands access to the general public for the electronic processing of documents relating to copyright that fall under section 205 of Title 17.

Any member of the public may now electronically submit certain types of documents for recordation to the Office through this system by creating an Enterprise Copyright System (ECS) account through Login.gov, which serves as the user login and authentication method.

Use of the Recordation System is optional and governed by 37 CFR § 201.4(h) and the Special Pilot Program Rules. While the public may continue to submit documents for recordation in paper form, the Office strongly encourages participation in the electronic system.

The Recordation System offers a number of features and benefits:

• self-service account and organization management
• online submission for transfers and other documents pertaining to copyright under 17 USC § 205
• online payment via Pay.gov
• digital certificate and numbered document available online
• online status tracking
• centralized messaging center for correspondence
• notifications and alerts for key events
• easy search of submissions
• faster processing time than paper submission
• bulk upload of works indexing information

For more information, please visit the Recordation System page.