Question: What Is The Status Of My Copyright Application? Will My Work Be Return?
Answer: The US Copyright Office will not provide confirmation that they received your copyright registration application. See -
How To Know When The Copyright Office Receives Your Application
Effective Date Of Copyright Registration
Copyright registration is effective on the day the US Copyright Office receives the appropriate form, copy or copies of the work, and the filing fee from you, until your claim is either refused or accepted.
How Can I Check On The Status Of My Copyright Application
The time the Copyright Office requires to process an application varies. You may generally expect a certificate of registration within approximately eight months of submission. In the event that the US Copyright Office needs further information from you, they will write or phone you during this time period. They will not be able to provide you with status information for submissions during this time period. They will mail your certificate of registration or a letter telling you why you were refused after application process is finished.
In-Process Search
If it is important that you know your status sooner, you may pay the appropriate fees and request that the Certifications and Documents Section conduct an in-process search. The current in-process search fee is seventy-five dollars per hour.
Do I Have To Send In My Work? Do I Get It Back?
Yes, you must send the required copy or copies of the work to be registered. These copies will not be returned. Upon their
deposit in the Copyright Office, all copies, phonorecords, and identifying material, including those deposited in connection with claims that have been refused registration, are the property of the United States Government.
