Here is some helpful information from the government about how you go about registering your music with the Copyright office.  This is not the same as copyrighting your written music. I’ll cover that in a future post. 

Sound Recordings

Follow these steps to register your recording of music, drama, or a lecture:

Step 1

Make sure your work is a sound recording. Sound recordings are “works that result from the fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds, but not including the sounds accompanying a motion picture or other audiovisual work.” Common examples include recordings of music, drama, or lectures (read details). Copyright registration for a sound recording alone is neither the same as, nor a substitute for, registration for the musical, dramatic, or literary work recorded. The underlying work may be registered in its own right apart from any recording of the performance, or in certain cases, the underlying work may be registered together with the sound recording (read details on choosing the correct form). Note: To register performing arts works, see the Performing Arts instructions. Read more about the registration of musical compositions and sound recordings.

Step 2

Put into one envelope or package:

  • a completed application Form SR and Form CON if needed.
  • a $45 payment to “Register of Copyrights.”
  • nonreturnable copy(ies) of the material to be registered (read details)

Please read this important notice about mail delivery disruption.

Step 3

Send the package to: Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000 Your registration becomes effective on the day that the Copyright Office receives your application, payment, and copy(ies) in acceptable form. If your submission is in order, you will receive a certificate of registration in approximately 4 months.For more details, please see Circular 56, Copyright Registration for Sound Recordings and other informational circulars.