RIAA is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and commercial vitality of music labels in the United States, the most vibrant recorded music community in the world. Our membership – which includes several hundred companies, ranging from small-to-medium-sized enterprises to global businesses – creates, manufactures and/or distributes sound recordings. In support of its mission, the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conducts consumer, industry, and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations, and policies. RIAA also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™, Diamond and Los Premios De Oro y Platino™ sales and streaming awards.
Become an RIAA Member
Benefits of membership:
- Discounted rates on Gold & Platinum Program certifications: the charge for individual certifications is $350 for RIAA member companies, while non-members are charged $450 per certification, which must be pre-paid.
- Inclusion in RIAA’s listing of member companies.
- Having RIAA as a voice in Federal and State government advocating for music creators.
- Broad enforcement programs to protect our members’ rights.
Requirements:
To become an RIAA member company, you must:
- Be a U.S. based record label/company.*
- Distribute recordings of performances to U.S. consumers under your label for home use.
- Have not been engaged in the piracy of sound recordings during the last five years.
*If your company is distributed in the U.S. through a major record label (Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, or Warner Music Group), you are already a member.
How to Apply:
(Please note: We will not review your application without payment of the application fee, the completed application form, the signed confidentially agreement, and copies of two of your sound recordings.)
- Download RIAA Membership packet here.
- Email toRIAAmembership@riaa.com the following items:
- Your completed application form
- A digital copy of each of two (2) sound recordings released by your company in the U.S. Market (in an .mp3, .wav, or .aac format), and
- Screen shots (.doc or .jpeg file format) showing either (1) the availability of your recordings for purchase on the website of a legitimate online music retailer (Apple Music, Spotify, etc.) and/or (2) the outside packaging for the sound recordings (front and back covers) as offered for purchase.
- Please mail your application fee of $100.00 (with your label/company name) to:
- RIAA
Attn: Member Services
1000 F Street, NW
2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20004
- RIAA
RIAA will contact applicants whose materials have passed an initial review to discuss membership fees and additional documentation to complete the application process.
Please contact RIAAmembership@riaa.com regarding membership questions/concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of becoming a member?
Member benefits include discounted rates on Gold & Platinum Program certifications, inclusion in RIAA’s listing of member companies, having RIAA as the respected voice in Federal and State government advocating for the interests of music creators, and having RIAA engage in broad enforcement programs to protect the rights of our members.
Who can become a member of the RIAA?
U.S. based record label/companies that distribute recordings of performances to U.S. consumers under their label for home use, and that have not been engaged in the piracy of sound recordings during the last five years.
*If your company is distributed through a major record label (Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, or Warner Music Group), you are already a member.
How do I become a member?
If you meet the requirements, please complete an application form, pay the $100 application fee, and submit two samples of your recordings. We will then review your application to confirm you meet the requirements. If approved, your application fee will be credited towards your dues.
If my music is being distributed by a member of the RIAA, do I need to apply for membership?
If you are distributed through a major record label (Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, or Warner Music Group), you are already a member.
Does the RIAA pay royalties?
No, SoundExchange pays royalties to artists and record labels for certain digital performances of their sound recordings in the United States. Please visit www.soundexchange.com to learn more and join SoundExchange.
Also the MLC, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and others pay royalties to songwriters and publishers for certain uses of their work. Visit their websites for more details.
Do I need to be a member to use the Parental Advisory Label on my album?
Program and its Standards can apply for a license to use the Parental Advisory Label. Click here for more details.
Will RIAA give approval for use of the FBI Seal on my album?
We no longer administer the FBI Seal. Instead, please follow the FBI guidelines for use of the FBI seal, which are available here.
What does it cost to join RIAA?
There is an application fee of $100. If you are approved, your application fee will be credited towards your dues.
How are my membership dues calculated?
RIAA will take the revenue data provided by the applicant on the Revenue Declaration form, determine which member category the applicant falls under on the Dues Schedule, and charge the amount indicated.
How long will the application process take?
It may take several weeks, depending upon when the application materials and fee are submitted.
Does RIAA offer legal advice/help for my issues?
RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels, conducts consumer, industry, and technical research, and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations, and policies. RIAA does not generally provide individual legal advice.
As an RIAA member, am I allowed to use the RIAA logo on my company’s website to let people know I’m a member?
No, we do not license our logo to be used in this manner. You can use the words “RIAA” and link it back to our website.
I am in the process of changing distributors for my music label, can I leave that section blank on the application form and update it later?
Yes.
Will my label qualify if our one CD release was a compilation of pre-released material?
Yes, the sale of a compilation of your previously released material would qualify as an exemplar for your membership application.
If I’m a member of RIAA and I have other labels under my label, does that automatically make them members as well?
Indie labels distributed by other indie labels have to go through the same application process. Only labels distributed by a major label obtain RIAA membership without going through the application process.
