Determine how many copies of the record you plan to make. If you keep the initial pressing between 25 and 2,500 copies, you can handle this online at harryfox.com. If it's more than that, you'll need to contact the publisher directly through ASCAP or BMI.
Register with the Harry Fox website if you haven't done so already, then click "New License Search."
Click "Physical Product" at the next window and select whether its CD, cassette or vinyl record. Write how many copies you plan to press and whether you're distributing in the US or internationally. Press "Next."
Put the name of the song you plan to record and the name of the writers in the search engine that appears. For example, write "Yesterday," John Lennon, Paul McCartney.
Click "Add to Cart" when the song comes up. If the song doesn't come up, that means Harry Fox doesn't cover it and you'll have to contact the publishers directly.
Click "Checkout." You'll be taken to a form where you need to fill in your album title, record label (if any), release date, bar code (if any), song title, running time of recording and name of performing artist.
Click "Next" and you'll find out how much it costs. Get your credit card ready if you're willing to pay.