Link to ISSN Application Form [PDF, 171K]
Note: this application form is "fillable" online
Link to ISSN Application Spreadsheet [Excel file, 14K]
Note: to be used only for a group of titles already in publication. Please complete one application form that provides the information that is the same for all titles. Add information that differs (e.g., title, URL) to the spreadsheet. Requests that include more than 20 titles should be negotiated first with the U.S. ISSN Center via email or telephone. Spreadsheets for multiple titles for which a complete issue has not yet been published will not be processed.
Instructions
After completing the application form or spreadsheet, you may save the application form and email it or fax it to the email address or fax number on the form. Please send all spreadsheets and the accompanying application form as email attachments.
Applications for ISSN (except for pre-publication applications for serials which have not yet published any issues) MUST be accompanied by a sample issue or a surrogate of the cover, title page (if any), masthead, and other pages containing information about the publication. Surrogates can be sent by fax or as email attachments (preferably in PDF format), but please do not fax or email the entire issue. Please limit faxes or email attachments to no more than five pages. If you plan to publish other titles, you are welcome to save a blank copy of the form for future applications.
Important Information About Mail Delays
You may also print and send the application by U.S. postal mail or other delivery services to the address indicated at the top of the form. Because mail and packages are received and processed at an offsite facility, the employees of that facility receive and sign for them. The date and signature do not indicate anyone on the staff of the U.S. ISSN Center and do not indicate receipt in the Center's offices, which can occur up to a week later. Because these mail-screening procedures are in place, publishers are advised to continue sending urgent requests for new ISSN by fax, email, or private carrier. For requests that are not urgent, we encourage you to send by regular mail sample issues to accompany ISSN requests and samples sent to fulfill ISSN pre-publication registration requirements. For print publications, full print issues can be given more accurate and complete cataloging and only full issues of print publications are considered for inclusion in the Library's permanent collections.
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Last Updated: March 1, 2013
