Update, October 1, 2026: New fees take effect November 11, 2026. Outline of increases, impact and actions to take.
Starting in November, 2026, the United States Copyright Office fees to submit a photo group for registration will increase from $55 per application to $85 per application – a 55% increase. All other copyright fees are increasing, as well. The single work/single author application will increase from $45 to $55 and the standard application will increase from $65 to $85. In theory Congress could act before then to prevent this increase, but that this is highly unlikely. You should expect the fee increases to go into effect on November 11, 120 days after the Office submitted the Schedule to Congress. Submit your applications in October if you want to get your applications in before the fee increases.
U.S. Copyright Office Fees and Planned November 2026 Increase
| Type of application | Current Fee | After November 11 |
| Single work/single author | $45 | $55 |
| Standard (multiple authors/other’s work) | $65 | $85 |
| Photo group | $55 | $85 |
| Group of unpublished works (e.g., 6 poems) | $85 | $130 |
| Group of short online literary works (blogs) | $65 | $130 |
| Group of 2D artwork | $85 | $130 |
Impact of Copyright Fee Increase on Photographers
What this increase means to photographers is simple: it is going to get more expensive to register your images. For example, a photo group increases by $30. Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is required to be able to file an infringement suit and to be eligible for the most important remedies in the law. Even if you never go to court, having your work registered means you have the power in any negotiation over an unauthorized use. We see it all the time: registered works get quicker settlements and larger payments.
How Does the Copyright Fee Increase Impact All Creators?
The same is true for screenwriters and other authors, graphic designers, and every type of creator. The more works you create, the more works you have to register, the more it will cost after the fee increase in November.
Who should register before November 11?
If you are a creator who has back-catalog that you have been putting off, NOW is the time! If you have five applications to submit, you can save anywhere from $50 to $325!
How can RightsClick Help with the Copyright Application Process?
The RightsClick software will guide you through the process and steer you so that your application complies with United States Copyright Office rules. For photographers, RightsClick creates the spreadsheet for you! You never have to open Excel and you never have to log onto the clunky Copyright Office website. With RightsClick even a group of hundreds of photos can be submitted in five minutes or less. That will enable you to get your applications in now, before the Copyright Office fees increase.
What Does it Cost to Use RightsClick?
RightsClick’s fees are very modest. Right now, RightsClick subscribers can submit an application for just $15 (plus the Copyright Office fee, of course). For those using our website to submit an application for one work, no subscription is required, and the fee is $29.95 per application. There are discounts for members of our partner organizations like Final Draft and the Authors Guild.
