623.5 (A) Online Requests for an Expedited Certificate of Registration
When submitting an application using the electronic registration system, the applicant may request special handling by completing the fields that appear on the Special Handling screen. The applicant should check the box marked Special Handling and provide a justification for the applicant’s request by checking one or more of the boxes that appear under the heading Compelling Reason(s) (i.e., pending or prospective litigation; customs matters; contract or publishing deadlines).
The request for special handling must be certified by an author of the work, the claimant named in the application, an owner of one or more of the exclusive rights in the work, or a duly authorized agent of one of the aforementioned parties. The certifying party
should check the box that reads, “I certify that I am the author, copyright claimant of exclusive rights, or the authorized agent of the author, copyright claimant of exclusive rights of this work.” By checking this box, the certifying party confirms that the information provided in the request for special handling is correct to the best of his or her knowledge. There is no need to date the certification; the date will be added automatically when the application is received by the U.S. Copyright Office.
Additional comments or instructions that may be relevant to the request for special handling may be provided in the field marked Explanation for Special Handling, such as the applicant’s preference for the delivery of the certificate of registration.