How to Register with PRS for Music
By Written by Peter McVeigh
A step-by-step guide to registering with PRS for Music as a songwriter, composer or publisher, including how to register your songs and collect performance royalties.
What is PRS for Music?
PRS for Music (Performing Right Society) is a UK-based royalty collection society that represents songwriters, composers, and music publishers. Founded in 1914, PRS collects and distributes royalties whenever music is performed, broadcast, streamed, or downloaded.
PRS covers two types of rights: Performance rights every time your song is played on radio, TV, in a pub, at a concert, or on a streaming platform, PRS collects a royalty on your behalf. Mechanical rights collected through its sister organisation MCPS (see separate guide).
PRS is one of the most important organisations a UK-based songwriter or composer should join. Even if you're unsigned, PRS will collect money that's legally yours.
Who Should Join PRS?
You should join PRS if you're: A songwriter or composer anyone who writes original music or lyrics A music publisher a company or individual that owns publishing rights in songs A band member who co-writes songs
You do NOT need a record deal to join. PRS is open to any writer or publisher, amateur or professional, whose music is being performed, broadcast, or streamed anywhere in the world.
Step-by-Step: How to Register with PRS
Step 1: Visit the PRS website Go to www.prsformusic.com and click "Become a Member" at the top of the page.
Step 2: Choose your membership type Select whether you're joining as: A Writer member (songwriter/composer) A Publisher member (music publisher or self-publishing artist)
Step 3: Complete the online application You'll need to provide: Full legal name Date of birth National Insurance number (for UK residents) Bank account details (for royalty payments) Contact details and address
Step 4: Pay the one-time joining fee As of 2026, the Writer membership fee is £100 (inc. VAT). This is a one-time payment and you receive a share in PRS as a mutual organisation.
Step 5: Verify your identity PRS may ask you to verify your identity via email or by uploading a form of ID.
Step 6: Log in to your member portal Once approved (usually within a few days), you can log in to the PRS member portal at portal.prsformusic.com.
Step 7: Register your works (songs) This is the most important step. See the section below on registering songs.
How to Register Your Songs with PRS
Registering your songs (called "works") ensures PRS knows who to pay when your music is performed or broadcast. Without registration, royalties may go unclaimed.
In the PRS portal: 1. Click "Register Works" from the dashboard 2. Click "Register a New Work" 3. Enter the song title exactly as it appears on the recording 4. Add all writers this includes co-writers. Each writer must have a PRS/MCPS member number (CAE/IPI number). 5. Set the ownership percentages how the writer share is split between all co-writers (must total 100%) 6. Add the publisher if applicable 7. Enter any alternative titles (e.g. if the song has a different name in another country) 8. Add ISRC codes if you've them (these are unique identifiers for recordings) 9. Save and submit the work
Once submitted, your work will be assigned a unique PRS work ID and will start collecting royalties wherever it's performed or broadcast.
How to Split Percentages Between Writers
When a song is co-written, you must agree on how to split the writer's share of royalties. This is done when registering the work on the PRS portal.
Example splits: 2 writers with equal contribution: 50% / 50% 3 writers, one wrote the lyrics only: 33.3% / 33.3% / 33.3%, or lyrics writer 40%, melody writers 30% / 30% (this is negotiated between the writers)
Important rules: All percentages must add up to exactly 100% Each co-writer must be a PRS member (or a member of an affiliated collection society if they're based outside the UK) The split should ideally be agreed in writing before submitting to PRS; a simple songwriter agreement is recommended Once submitted, changing the split requires all co-writers to agree
Writer share vs Publisher share: PRS splits royalties into two halves: the Writer's Share (50%) and the Publisher's Share (50%). If you've no publisher, you can reclaim the publisher share as a "self-published" writer by also holding a Publisher membership.
What Royalties Will PRS Collect for You?
Once registered, PRS will collect royalties from: Radio (BBC Radio, commercial stations) TV (BBC, ITV, Netflix UK, streaming services) Live performances venues, festivals, concerts Streaming platforms Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Tidal, etc. Background music shops, restaurants, gyms, hotels Film and TV sync if your song is licensed to a production
Royalties are typically distributed quarterly. The amount varies depending on how often and where your music is played.
Tip: Make sure to also register set lists after live performances. PRS has an app called the PRS Live Music App that allows you to log performances and ensure you're paid.