Access the Internet and go to the official website of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov. This is the easiest place to get all of the information you require.
Click on the "Forms" bookmark at the top of the page. It will take you to a page where you can apply for a literature copyright electronically.
Check the list of acceptable file types to make sure your book or piece of literature meets their requirements. You can find the link at the top of the Forms page on the U.S. Copyright site.
Click on the "Form CO" link on the Forms page, which allows you to download Form CO, the registration form required to copyright a piece of literature.
Fill out the Form CO online, making sure all of the information is accurate. Most of it is fairly self-explanatory (name, address, business name and so on). Once it is complete, print a copy. Make sure you print a second copy for your own records, as well as the copy you intend to send to the copyright office.
Print out a copy of your literary work to include with the Form CO. The Copyright Office asks for a complete work, so make sure no pages are missing.
Write a check for $50 to "Register of Copyrights." This is the processing fee required for a literary copyright.
Put the filled-out Form CO, the copy of your book and the check in a single envelope or package, addressed to the Library of Congress. Take special note of the "6222" ZIP code extension; that sends your package directly to the office that copyrights literary works. The address is:
Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20559-6222
Stamp the envelope and mail it off, then wait for the Copyright Office to send you official notification that your copyright has gone through.