Guide · The business of songwriting
How to register a song
There are three separate registrations. Copyright registration with the US Copyright Office is optional. Joining a performing rights organisation (PRO) such as ASCAP or BMI is how you get paid when your music is publicly performed. Registering with The MLC is how you collect US digital mechanical royalties. This is general information, not legal advice.
Updated 20 Oct 2026
1. Copyright registration (optional)
Copyright exists automatically, and the US Copyright Office says registration is generally voluntary, though you must register to sue over a US work. See how to copyright a song for the steps and fees, each with its source.
2. Join a PRO
A performing rights organisation (PRO) collects money when music is played publicly and pays it to the writers. ASCAP says it pays performance royalties when your music is played publicly by businesses around the world. BMI says it ensures songwriters get paid when their music is publicly played. (Sources: ome.ascap.com and bmi.com/join, checked 20 Oct 2026.) ASCAP says that as a writer you can belong to only one US PRO at a time, and that it requires identity verification when you join. Its page says joining is free for writers. (ome.ascap.com, checked 20 Oct 2026.) BMI's join page asks for a valid email address and links to its standard writer agreement, which you should read before you sign. (bmi.com/join, checked 20 Oct 2026.) See BMI vs ASCAP.
3. Register with The MLC
The MLC administers blanket mechanical licences for US digital streaming and download services. It collects the royalties and pays them to songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers. The MLC says connecting with it is free. (Source: themlc.com, checked 20 Oct 2026.) The MLC's page does not describe how it relates to a PRO, so check its help pages for how the two fit together for you.
Before you register, agree the splits
Every registration asks who wrote the song and in what shares. Agree them first and write them down. See what a split sheet is and the free split sheet template.
Keep the details with the song
You will need the title, the writers, the shares and often the date and the recording. In songdrafts every take of a song stacks on one card, in the order you add them, with the lyrics and notes on the same song, so the details are in one place.
Common questions
Do I have to register a song?
Copyright registration is optional in the US. Joining a PRO and registering with The MLC are how you collect certain royalties.
Is it free to join ASCAP?
ASCAP's join page says joining is free for writers, and lists a non-refundable fee for publishers. Check the page before you apply.
Can I join ASCAP and BMI?
ASCAP says that as a writer you can belong to only one US PRO at a time.
Is The MLC free?
The MLC says connecting with it is free.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is general information from official sources. For anything important, ask a music lawyer.
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