Whether you’re a songwriter, producer, or performing artist — registering your music is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your rights and collect your royalties.
But how much does it actually cost to register a song in South Africa in 2025? Let’s break it down.
🧾 What Does “Registering a Song” Actually Mean?
Registering a song means submitting your music to key royalty collection bodies that:
- Protect your intellectual property
- Collect royalties when your music is played or used
- Ensure you’re paid fairly as a creator
In South Africa, the three main organizations you’ll deal with are:
- SAMRO – for performance rights
- CAPASSO – for mechanical rights
- RiSA (ISRC) – to assign an official code to your music
🏢 1. SAMRO Registration Fees (Performance Royalties)
SAMRO collects royalties when your music is:
- Played on radio or TV
- Performed live
- Used in public spaces (restaurants, clubs, gyms, etc.)
✅ Fees (2025):
- Composers & Lyricists: R100 once-off
- Music Publishers: R500 once-off
- Current SAMRO members: No extra fee when registering new works
To apply, you’ll need:
- SAMRO Application Form
- Deed of Assignment
- Notification of Works Form
- Copy of your ID
📍Pro Tip: You can register works as soon as they’re created — you don’t have to wait until they’re aired or released.
🎼 2. CAPASSO Registration (Mechanical Royalties)
CAPASSO handles royalties earned when your music is reproduced or downloaded, like:
- Streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music)
- Cover versions
- Compilation CDs or digital bundles
- Ringtones, YouTube downloads, etc.
CAPASSO fees vary depending on whether you’re joining directly or through an admin deal (often through a publisher or aggregator). Contact capasso.co.za for current pricing structures.
📀 3. RiSA / ISRC Code Registration (Track Identification)
RiSA (Recording Industry of South Africa) issues ISRC codes — these are unique IDs for every song, needed when uploading to DSPs like Spotify, YouTube Music, etc.
✅ Fees (2025):
- RiSA Membership Fee: R575/year (incl. VAT)
- ISRC Registration (one-time): R115 (incl. VAT)
You must apply online at www.risa.org.za.
💰 Total Cost to Register One Song (2025 Estimate)
| Registration Body | Purpose | Fee |
| SAMRO | Performance Rights | R100 once-off |
| CAPASSO | Mechanical Royalties | Varies (R0 – R500 est.) |
| RiSA / ISRC | Digital Song ID | R115 once-off + R575/year (membership) |
| Estimated Total | ~R215 – R1,000 depending on your role |
🎯 Tip: If you’re a composer and performer, the minimum cost to protect your work could be just R215 (SAMRO + ISRC only). But if you’re distributing commercially and collecting all royalties, budget up to R1,000.
🔒 Why This Matters
Registering your music means:
- You can prove you created it
- You’ll get paid when it’s played
- You avoid disputes over ownership
- You look more professional to labels and media outlets
