Can You Expedite a Copyright Registration?

Full Question: Is there a way to expedite the process for receiving a Certificate of Registration, and how long does that process take?

Answer: Yes. The Office provides expedited service known as “Special Handling” under certain circumstances. This service eliminates delay in the examination of a claim by the Copyright Office and ensures expeditious handling if a certificate is needed for prospective or pending litigation, contract issues, or customs matters. When an applicant requests special handling and pays the applicable fee for this service, the Office will examine the claim within five business days. Applicants may request this service when the claim is submitted or while the claim is in-process. For further information, please see Compendium (Third) ¤ 623.

Answered by:

Rob Kasunic, Director of Registration Policy and Practices at the U.S. Copyright Office