What is copyright registration?

Registering a copyright is one way to protect intellectual property. If you've invested your time and effort into creating something, you want to make sure that no one else can claim it as their own - and that's accomplished through copyright registration.

Do I need a copyright, trademark or patent?

That's a great question! If your intellectual property is an "expression of an idea", you'll need a copyright. On the other hand, trademarks are used to show ownership of brands, slogans, or services, while patents apply for how an innovation looks or works.

What kinds of creative works can be copyrighted?

Almost any kind of creation is eligible for copyright registration. Some of the commonly-copyrighted creative works include digital content like databases or websites, literary works such as poetry and short stories, photographs, and illustrations, and so forth.

What will I need to do to register a copyright?

There's quite a bit of paperwork required for copyright registration. Copyright services take out the guesswork by walking you through each step of the process. You'll have to answer questions about your creative work, and when your application is complete it'll need to be submitted to the US Copyright Office.

Is it expensive to register a copyright?

Not necessarily. You'll pay a standard fee to the US Copyright Office - usually from $45 to $65 per registered work. Any other fees depend on the copyright service you select; these typically cost anywhere from $9.95 per month for ongoing services to $99-$114 as a one-time fee.

How long will it take to get my copyright registered?

Getting the paperwork completed and submitted can often be done in a single business day. As soon as your registration is received by the US Copyright Office, it goes into effect. But, it can often take up to a year to actually get your certificate in the mail!

Are copyright registration services legitimate?

Yes, most of them take the guesswork out of copyright registration, saving you time and giving you the reassurance that you've done everything correctly. However, it's always a good idea to look into the reputation of the copyright registration service you're considering: client feedback and/or the service's BBB rating may offer that perspective.

Can I get a refund if I'm not happy with the copyright service?

Sometimes. If any fees have already been paid on your behalf, you probably won't get those back no matter how dissatisfied you are. But, the best copyright services offer satisfaction guarantees that may include another filing of your paperwork or a refund of any fees you paid for the service itself.

Best Copyright Registration Services for March 2026

Item: The Best Copyright Registration Services - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Monday, March 9th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Copyright Registration Service Reviews

What is the Best Place to Complete Copyright Registration? Have you ever created something and worried about sharing your genius idea, art piece, or story because it might get stolen? Copyrighting your work is one way to get some peace of mind and protection for your creative endeavors. For those who don't know, a copyright is a form of legal protection offered by the U.S. Constitution for original works created in a "tangible medium" of expression.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

LegalZoom

Pricing for one copyright is $179 total
One price for one service
15-minute form fill out

Read Full Review

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the LegalZoom website

LegalZoom offers a quick and easy way to handle copyright registration. With over 20 years of legal experience, LegalZoom handles the entire process. For a single flat fee, you'll be able to put in your copyright details and let LegalZoom file for you for a totally hands-off experience. With impressive ratings from the BBB and reviewers, LegalZoom stands out as a reliable choice and is our top pick for copyright registration.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Rocket Lawyer

Pricing at $39.99 per month or $479.76 per year
Subscription plan includes all documents on the site
Quick form fill out

Read Full Review

VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Rocket Lawyer website

Rocket Lawyer is a site that offers a variety of legal documents including some for copyright law. However, this service doesn't help you submit your copyright registration. Instead, it has four helpful copyright-related legal documents and some tips on how to register your copyright yourself. While this may seem too hands-on, Rocket Lawyer is an affordable option to support your copyright as you move forward. With high customer ratings and an "A+" from the BBB, Rocket Lawyer earns a solid rating in our review.

3.5

GOOD

Good

My Corporation

Flat cost of $169 for your application
One price for one service
Quick form fill out

Read Full Review

GOOD

3.5

On the My Corporation website

MyCorporation is primarily known for helping businesses with LLCs and opening corporations, but it also offers copyright registration services. For a flat fee, you can register a copyright and allow MyCorporation to complete the process and file for you. While the refund policy is limited, MyCorporation has strong customer ratings on Trustpilot, earning it an above-average rating in our review.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

The Trademark Company

Prices from $99 to $199 per copyright
Price includes filing
Quick form fill out

Read Full Review

AVERAGE

3.0

On the The Trademark Company website

The Trademark Company offers a range of copyright and trademark services that include forms and filing. It stands out as a unique option for offering NFTs, which can be useful if you're looking to make your copyrighted material more marketable. However, with mixed reviews, The Trademark Company doesn't rank as well as it could, making it a mid-tier copyright registration solution.

2.9

AVERAGE

Average

Copyright Registration

Priced at $89 for each registration
One price for one service
3-step registration forms

Read Full Review

AVERAGE

2.9

On the Copyright Registration website

Copyright Registration offers a fast and straightforward way to register your copyright. With a flat rate and no fuss, the process is simple and only requires digital uploads to complete your forms. However, since the service is new, it currently lacks a BBB rating or reviews on other third-party sites. It may be best to wait until Copyright Registration builds a stronger reputation before fully trusting it for your copyright needs.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

Copyright Registration Service

Prices from $60 to $170 for each registration
4-15 years of copyright
International recognition

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.5

On the Copyright Registration Service website

Copyright Registration Service (CRS) offers international copyright registration through the Intellectual Property Rights Office. This is a good choice for those hoping for copyright coverage outside the US. However, with no reviews on third-party sites or the Better Business Bureau as well as no satisfaction guarantees, CRS could work a little harder to improve its overall reputation. For this reason, it earns a below-average rating in our review, but it is worth checking out if you definitely need international copyright protection.

2.4

FAIR

Fair

Copyrighted

Priced at $119.95 to $179.95 per year
Free subscription plan with 5 registrations
Saves your material in the cloud

Read Full Review

FAIR

2.4

On the Copyrighted website

Copyrighted is a standalone copyright registration service that offers some free registration services as well as paid options for copyrighting and takedown of copyright infringements. While the free option is appealing, the paid packages may not be worth it according to reviewers. With an average rating of 2.9 stars and reported issues with customer service, Copyrighted is not ideal - particularly for customers who want more than 5 things copyrighted.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

Trademark Engine

Packages from $99 to $199 per registration
Quick form fill out
Trademark services also offered

Read Full Review

SUBPAR

2.0

On the Trademark Engine website

Trademark Engine offers affordable copyright registration services with expedited processing if you need it. However, this company's satisfaction guarantee lacks any clear indication of recourse, and customer reviews are focused on complaints about failed applications. Despite its low prices, Trademark Engine earns a lower rating in our review due to these concerns.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

Trademark Elite

Pricing from $399 to $799 copyright
Price includes filing
Quick form fill out

Read Full Review

WEAK

1.5

On the Trademark Elite website

Trademark Elite offers copyright and trademark registration services with a simple form online. However, with prices going as high as $799 for a simple US copyright registration, it is much more costly than competitors. With recent complaints of poor customer service and no refund policy to speak of, Trademark Elite doesn't stand out from the pack. With more affordable options out there, Trademark Elite comes in near the bottom of our review.

1.0

POOR

Poor

Copyright Application Online

Pricing starts at $194.95 per application
Add searches and trademark applications
90% success rate reported

Read Full Review

POOR

1.0

On the Copyright Application Online website

Copyright Application Online is a site that claims 90% success for copyright registration, but we don't think you should trust it. The company has an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau due to concerns about its business practices, high costs, and a lack of guarantees or refunds. Many customers report being overcharged or feeling scammed by this site. It's probably best to avoid Copyright Application Online and choose a more reliable resource instead.

Continued from above...

What is the Best Place to Complete Copyright Registration?

Have you ever created something and worried about sharing your genius idea, art piece, or story because it might get stolen? Copyrighting your work is one way to get some peace of mind and protection for your creative endeavors. For those who don't know, a copyright is a form of legal protection offered by the U.S. Constitution for original works created in a "tangible medium" of expression.

In layman's terms, copyrights cover any intellectual property that is an original work of authorship like a book, musical, play, song, poetry, movie, computer software architecture, and more. No matter what kind of creator you are (singer, painter, poet, web designer), you can get your work protected.

The only things not covered by copyright law are facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation. As long as your creation is tangible in some way (yes, music counts as tangible even though it's sound), it can be registered as intellectual property for a copyright. But what are the benefits?

Your work is technically "copyrighted" from the moment you create it. However, this is just an informal copyright and won't stand up in a court of law. If you want legal protection against your work getting stolen or protections against infringement or misuse of your work, you'll need to get a copyright registration. Registered works are eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees being covered if you need to take something to litigation. In short, copyrights give you legal protections and if you need to go after another person or entity for stealing your work, you'll need to be properly registered to make the lawsuit stick.

Further, copyrights protect your work from misuse or use by others without your permission (someone can't take your book and turn it into a movie without facing legal trouble) if your book is copyrighted. Your copyright will last for your entire lifetime and an additional 70 years past that, so the managers of your estate will handle permissions related to your work's use. You won't have to register more than once for a single work. That way you can focus on your next big creation once you've got your copyright taken care of.

If you're ready to register your work with the US Electronic Copyright Office (ECO) or Library of Congress, but you're not sure how to finish the process or fill out the paperwork, don't worry - there are tons of services out there to help. To help you get started, we've put together a list of factors to help you narrow down your options. Here's what we found:

Cost. Copyright registration services can be pricey, as they go through the legal necessities for you. Make sure that you balance features with price so that you're getting a good deal. Services that include filing fees are extra helpful.
Total package. Does your chosen copyright registration service complete the application submission for you? Do they give you a legal review to make sure the copyright is likely to succeed? Make sure you get all the bells and whistles you want with as little stress on your part as possible.
Guarantees. Check your favorite copyright registration services for a satisfaction or success guarantee. Some services offer money-back guarantees if your registration doesn't go through. You'll want to pick a service that stands behind its work.
Reputation. Check out the reputations of copyright registration services on third-party review sites or the Better Business Bureau. See how other creators just like you succeeded in copyrighting their works (or not in some cases) to know which services to choose or avoid.

To help you get your most recent work protected under copyright law, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top copyright registration services online today. This way, you can take the stress (and uncertainties) out of the legal process, and enjoy creating your music, novels, art, and architecture with the security that your work is protected. Happy copyrighting!