Get Federal Register : Fees - U.S. Copyright Office - Copyright

The Copyright Office charges a fee when its staff searches the Office's records for information about copyright registrations, renewals, transfers, and other documents relating to the copyright status of works. Upon request, the Office will estimate the total cost of a search.

How do I register my copyright? To register a work, submit a completed application form, and a nonreturnable copy or copies of the work to be registered. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Registration Procedures., and Circular 4, Copyright Office Fees”. Where can I get application forms?

So the answer to the question "Can I get a copyright for free?" is yes. In fact, obtaining copyright is automatic, and your copyright over your work arises from the moment your original work is expressed in a permanent medium.

The filing fee for copyright registration ranges from $35 to $55.

Fees Registration of a claim in an original work of authorshipClaim without addendum$125Addendum (in addition to the fee for the claim)$100Registration of a claim in a restored copyright (Form GATT)$100Preregistration of certain unpublished works$20023 more rows

How do I register my copyright? To register a work, submit a completed application form, and a nonreturnable copy or copies of the work to be registered. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Registration Procedures., and Circular 4, Copyright Office Fees”. Where can I get application forms?

In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”

Answer: Since copyright protection is automatic from the moment a work is created, registration is not required in order to protect your work. However, there are numerous benefits to registration and therefore it is highly recommended, if feasible.