Join ASCAP FAQs

Applications for ASCAP writer and publisher memberships can be obtained on our website (www.ascap.com) by clicking the "Join" button on our main navigation bar. This will display separate links for the online writer and publisher applications. The processing fee for each online application is $35.

If you don't have a computer, you can access the ASCAP website at a public library. If you prefer to complete a paper application, you must print it from our website and submit it to the address listed on the application with a $75 processing fee. The application fee, whether $35 for the online application or $75 for the paper application, is non-refundable.

You can only belong to one society at a time as a writer for licensing public performances in the United States; however, you can be a publisher at multiple societies. You can transfer as a writer to ASCAP from your current society, but you will need to contact your current society to obtain the appropriate information to make the switch.

Each member of the group must complete a separate writer application and each member of the group must meet the eligibility criteria. It is recommended that each member apply for a separate publisher membership; however, only one application needs to be submitted if the group chooses to join as a collective publisher member. If this is the case, the publisher membership must be structured as a partnership, corporation or LLC.

There is a one-time, $35 application fee for online applications and a $75 application fee for paper applications. Both fees are non-refundable, but ASCAP does not charge annual dues or fees.

There are administrative costs associated with new ASCAP members which reduce distribution revenue for existing members. To offset some of these costs, ASCAP implemented application fees.

While our competitors do not charge application fees for writers to join, ASCAP membership has significant value and these benefits greatly outweigh the nominal fee. Furthermore, our competitors typically charge a fee for publishing companies ($150-$250) that is greater than the collective costs of joining ASCAP as a writer and publisher.

Writer and publisher memberships are separate and each application submitted is subject to the non-refundable application processing fee.

The application processing fee is non-refundable.

The application processing fee is non-refundable.

The fee is associated with the costs of processing the membership application and therefore cannot be returned.

If you don't have a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card, you cannot apply for ASCAP membership online. You must apply for membership using a paper application form and then send the completed form to ASCAP with a $75 money order or personal check for the non-refundable application processing fee.

ASCAP does not charge monthly or annual membership dues. There is a one-time application fee for online applications ($35) and paper applications ($75); however, the non-refundable application processing fee does not guarantee election to ASCAP membership.

You may join ASCAP if you do not have a valid US Social Security Number or are not a US citizen; however, additional income reporting documentation must be provided with your application. Because of the additional documentation required, you cannot complete the online application and must submit a paper application. Please go to the IRS website (irs.gov) to obtain a W8-BEN form and return the completed form with the completed ASCAP paper application and your money order or personal check for the non-refundable $75 processing fee.

We do not check the availability of publisher names in advance of receiving an application for processing. You have the option to provide up to four (4) publisher name choices on both the online and paper applications. These names should differ enough to ensure that one of your selections is available. We recommend submitting your full legal name with an additional word (e.g. John Smith Publishing) as your last selection to ensure that one of your selections is suitable for use.

If you selected "Commercial Recording" as your qualification for membership, you must include the record release information. Please note that you may list your recording as an "independent" release and still qualify for ASCAP membership as long as the recording was released commercially (i.e. for sale).

You do not need to submit proof of performance of your music (e.g., a CD, cue sheet, concert flier, etc.) with the application; however, proof of the performance information provided may be requested by ASCAP at a later date.

You will receive information from ASCAP regarding your online application within fifteen (15) business days from the submission date. If a paper application is submitted via postal mail or in-person, you will receive information within twenty (20) business days.

We can check the status of your application without an Application ID; however, we will require the Social Security Number or TIN that you provided on your application to confirm your identity. Please wait until the aforementioned time has elapsed before inquiring further about any application submissions.

If you completed the online application, the reason for ineligibility was sent via e-mail to the e-mail address provided in your application. If you submitted a paper application, the reason for ineligibility is noted in the cover letter that accompanies the returned application form.

Title registrations are essential to the proper distribution of performance royalties and should be submitted to ASCAP once a musical work has been fully created. After you receive confirmation of your election to ASCAP membership, please allow seven (7) business days before you attempt to register your works with ASCAP for the first time. Once this time has elapsed, ASCAP members should register their works through the Online Title Registration system available on our website. You may access Online Title Registration through the "Members" link on the ASCAP home page or the "Register a Work" link on your Member Access account. First time users must activate an Online Title Registration account before they can access this resource. FAQs, a downloadable Title Registration Guide and a video tutorial are available for your reference. If you need additional assistance, please log onto your Member Access account and submit a Member Service Inquiry. Select the "My Catalog" Category and select the appropriate Topic.

ASCAP's Online Title Registration system is available on ASCAP's website and allows members to notify ASCAP of the title and corresponding writer and publisher interests of any works for which they control a writer or publisher share. Member Access is also available on ASCAP's website, but allows ASCAP members to update personal details (e.g. address, bank account information, etc.), view and print entitled party and share details of their Works, view and download ASCAP performance statements and electronically create and track service requests to ASCAP.

Member Access is ASCAP's secure online web portal that provides you with access to your ASCAP information. Once you activate your Member Access account, you will have the ability to update personal details (e.g., address, bank account information, etc.), view and print the entitled party and share details of your Works, view and download ASCAP performance statements and electronically create and track service requests to ASCAP. Future online resources for ASCAP members will be provided via Member Access so activation of your account is highly recommended.

ASCAP does not register music for the purpose of copyright protection; this is the responsibility of the writer(s) and publisher(s) of any given work. You can register your music for copyright protection through the Library of Congress which can be reached at 202-707-3000 or on the web at www.loc.gov. For information on bar codes, please visit www.discmakers.com.

Whether or not you receive royalties for performances of your work(s) that occurred before you became an ASCAP member will depend upon when the performance(s) of the work(s) occurred. As a newly elected writer member, you can receive royalties for surveyed performances that took place in the performance period covered by the distribution quarter in which you are elected. For writers, there is a time lag of approximately seven (7) to eight (8) months between performances and royalty processing. As in the case of writers, a newly elected publisher member can receive royalties for surveyed performances that took place in the performance period covered in the distribution quarter in which the publisher is elected. For publishers, there is a time lag of approximately six (6) months between performance and royalty processing. Please note that ASCAP ONLY distributes public performance royalties, not royalties associated with record sales.

If you completed an online application, you should have received an e-mail from ASCAP within fifteen (15) days of submitting your application regardless of whether your election to ASCAP membership was successful. Please check your spam filter on your e-mail account. If you still cannot locate the e-mail, please contact Member Services at 800-95-ASCAP.

If you were elected to ASCAP membership, Member Services can confirm your Member ID; however, you will be asked to verify your identity by providing your Social Security Number or TIN.

You can print an electronic replica of your Member Card via the ASCAP website for free. Select the "Members" link at the top of the screen, click "Member Benefits" and choose the "Replace Your Member Card" link on the right hand side of the screen. You will need your Member ID and the zip code of your ASCAP royalty address to complete this request.

Before speaking with an ASCAP representative, we recommend you review the Member Benefits and Career Development pages on the ASCAP website. The links take you to workshops, showcases and support opportunities that can help you further your career. If you still wish to speak with someone, please contact ASCAP at 800-95-ASCAP or at one of the local Membership offices listed on our website.

Unfortunately, we cannot disclose phone numbers for specific companies unless they have agreed to allow us to do so. The following companies have agreed to allow us to provide their phone numbers to prospective or current members:

AFTRA (American Federation of TV & Radio Artists): 212 532-0800
Harry Fox Agency: 212-834-0100
Songwriter's Guild: 201-867-7603
Trademark Office: 800-786-9199
U.S. Copyright Office: 202-707-5959/877 476-0778
U.S. Library of Congress: 202-707-5000