Legal deposit (or “mandatory deposit” in the US) is a legal requirement that copies of a publication be submitted to a national repository. Requirements vary between countries: some like the US and UK require printed books to be submitted, while for others like Canada and Australia, a digital copy* will suffice.
For self-published books, the author is responsible for fulfilling the legal deposit obligation. You should only need to deposit a copy of your work to your own country.
Tellwell is happy to assist our authors to fulfill legal deposit requirements upon request. Note that an administrative fee will apply, plus the cost of printed books if a physical deposit is required. Please reach out to support@tellwell.ca for more information.
Below are links where you can learn how to submit your book for legal deposit in Canada, Australia, the US, and the UK.
- 🏒 Click here for Canada digital legal deposit registration.
- Filing for legal deposit in Canada has the added benefit of a record describing the publication being added to the national library’s catalogue. More info here.
- 🦘 Click here for Australia digital legal deposit registration.
- It's fast and easy to sign up and submit your book digitally via the National edeposit service. More info here.
- 🗽 Click here for US mandatory deposit instructions.
- 2 physical copies are required of the "best edition" (hardcover if available, otherwise paperback) if the book is published in print.
- Not required if you are also completing copyright registration for your book.
- 💂 Click here for UK legal deposit instructions.
- 1 physical copy is required if the book is published in print.
*Note: For digital deposit, the easiest file to use is your approved interior draft PDF file. You can find this file by navigating to the Files tab in Octavo, then click the "View" link next to the approved Interior draft file (or, simply email support@tellwell.ca if you need help).
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