Completing the Process
Mail it to the right place, in the right way
The final step is gathering all the paperwork and image copies to send to the copyright office.
Verify that you have all of the required items:
A Form VA that has been properly completed and signed
If you are doing a group registration of published images you will also need a properly completed Form GR/PPh/CON
A copy of the images being registered in the form of a deposit. You will probably include image files on CD together with a printed copy of image thumbnails, a contact sheet or duplicate slides.
A signed check for the current registration fee.
Be sure to keep a set of copies for yourself. Not only might the package get lost in transit, but the Copyright Office itself might lose the submission. (It’s rare, but it has happened.)
Please note that getting the package to the copyright office has become increasingly problematic due to fears of terrorism. Check with the Copyright Office and ASMP web site advisory area for any current updates. We recommend sending the submission via traceable courier shipment, such as FedEx. Send the package to the address on the back of the Copyright Office form. The Copyright Office does not provide a confirmation of receipt, so make sure that you ask the courier for a delivery receipt.
The date that all the required elements are received by the Copyright Office in acceptable form is the date of the registration. It does not depend how long it takes for the application to be processed and the certificate of registration to be mailed back to you. Once your submission has been processed, you will receive either a certificate of registration (sent by regular mail in 4 to 9 months) or an e-mail or letter requesting further information if your submission is incomplete.
Congratulations on securing your investment in your future! Now, you are probably curious about two more things: how long your registration lasts and what happens if you are infringed.