How to write a book copyright page, with a template you can copy
The copyright page is the small print near the front of a book: who owns it, when it was published, who published it, and the ISBN. Only the copyright notice has a fixed form, and even that is optional in the US today. Here is what each line does, a template to copy, and where the page goes.
The copyright notice
The US Copyright Office's Circular 3 says a notice has three elements, usually written as one line:
- The symbol ©, the word "Copyright" or the abbreviation "Copr."
- The year of first publication.
- The name of the copyright owner.
Its example is "© 2017 John Doe." The owner is usually you, the author, unless your contract says otherwise.
Notice is optional for works published on or after March 1, 1989, and you do not need permission or registration to use one. The Copyright Office still lists reasons to include it: it tells readers copyright is claimed, identifies the owner for anyone seeking permission, records the year of first publication, and in a published work may stop someone you sue for infringement from claiming they did not know.
What else goes on the page
The Chicago Manual of Style, which most US book publishers follow, gives the copyright page its own sections in its chapter on the parts of a book (1.22 to 1.39). The parts most nonfiction authors need:
| Line | What it does | Do you need it? |
|---|---|---|
| Copyright notice | Owner and year of first publication | Optional in the US, but nearly every book has one |
| Rights statement | Says what readers may not copy without permission, such as "All rights reserved" | Common; wording varies |
| Publisher's name and address | Who published it and how to reach them | Yes, if you have an imprint |
| ISBN for each format | Identifies the paperback, hardcover and ebook separately | For any format that carries one |
| Edition and publishing history | "First edition," and later the dates of revised editions | Recommended |
| Credits and permissions | Cover design, photographs, and quoted material that needed permission | Whenever a credit is owed or promised |
| Disclaimer | Says the book is not professional advice, or that names were changed | Common in health, money, legal and memoir books |
| Country of printing | "Printed in the United States of America" | Optional; print-on-demand copies may print elsewhere |
| Cataloging data | Library cataloging information | Optional; Chicago covers CIP data in 1.38 |
Line list based on the copyright page sections of The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition, chapter 1. "Do you need it?" is Scribe Media's guidance for nonfiction authors, not legal advice.
ISBNs on the copyright page
Each format that carries an ISBN needs its own. Amazon KDP's ISBN help page says the paperback and hardcover each need their own ISBN, and that an ISBN is optional for ebooks published on KDP. Many books list every format on the copyright page, each with a label, such as "ISBN 978-X-XXXXX-XXX-X (paperback)." Whatever you list, check that each file shows the right number. Bowker, the US ISBN agency, says fixing typos does not need a new ISBN, but a new edition with substantial changes does, so update the page when you publish one.
A copyright page template
Copy this and replace everything in brackets. Delete any line you do not need.
Copyright © [year of first publication] [your name or company] All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations in reviews. [Publisher or imprint name] [City, State] | [website] ISBN [number] (paperback) ISBN [number] (hardcover) ISBN [number] (ebook) First edition Cover design by [name] Author photo by [name] [Disclaimer, if any]
The rights statement and disclaimer above are common wording, not legal requirements. If your book quotes material you got permission for, add the credit line the rights holder asked for. For a disclaimer, keep it short and specific to the book: a money book might say it is general information and not financial advice; a memoir might say some names and details were changed to protect privacy. If your book carries real legal risk, a lawyer should write those lines.
An example
Here is the template filled in for an invented book, so you can see the result. The author, imprint and ISBN are made up.
Copyright © 2026 Jordan Lee All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations in reviews. Example Press Austin, Texas | example.com ISBN 978-X-XXXXX-XXX-X (paperback) First edition Cover design by [designer] This book is for general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Consult a professional about your situation.
Where it goes
Chicago lists the front matter in this order: title pages, copyright page, dedication and epigraph, then the table of contents. In print, the copyright page is usually on the back of the title page, a left-hand page, set in small type. In an ebook it often comes right after the title page, though some ebooks move it to the back so readers reach chapter one sooner.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For anything beyond the standard lines, such as co-owned rights, work made for hire or heavy quotation, ask your publisher or a lawyer. Stage 4 covers quoting sources and getting permission.
Start here: copy the template, fill in the notice line and your ISBNs, and delete every line you do not need.
Common questions
What should be on a book copyright page?
At minimum, a copyright notice: the © symbol or the word "Copyright," the year of first publication and the owner's name. Most books add a rights statement, the publisher's name, the ISBN for that format, the edition, and credits for the cover, photos and quoted material. Nonfiction often adds a disclaimer.
Is a copyright page required?
No. The US Copyright Office says a copyright notice is optional for works published on or after March 1, 1989. It still recommends the benefits: a notice tells readers copyright is claimed, identifies the owner and the year, and in a published work may stop an infringer from claiming they did not know.
Do I need to register my copyright to put a notice in my book?
No. The Copyright Office says using a notice is the owner's responsibility and does not need permission from, or registration with, the Office. Registration is a separate step with its own benefits.
Where does the copyright page go?
In the front matter, after the title page and before the dedication and contents. That is the order The Chicago Manual of Style lists. In print it is usually on the back of the title page.
Does each format need its own ISBN on the copyright page?
Each format that carries an ISBN needs its own. Amazon KDP's help says the paperback and hardcover each need their own ISBN, and that an ISBN is optional for ebooks on KDP. Many copyright pages list every format's ISBN, labeled; make sure each file shows the right one.
Sources: US Copyright Office, Circular 3, Copyright Notice (three elements; optional after March 1, 1989; no permission or registration needed; benefits of notice), read October 28, 2026; The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition, Chapter 1 contents (front matter order; copyright page sections 1.22 to 1.39), read October 28, 2026; Amazon KDP Help, What is an ISBN and Imprint?, and Bowker, How Changes Affect the ISBN, both checked October 20, 2026. The template, example and guidance were written by Scribe Media; the example author, imprint and ISBN are invented. Not legal advice. Published by Scribe Media.