How to Register a World Record

If you have wanted to be famous for something--well, anything--consider becoming a Guinness World Record holder. Some of the records may be way out of your reach, but you might have seen one that seems doable to you. Have your sights set on breaking a record or setting a new one? Here's how to make it official.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet connection
• Official Guinness World Records website
• Printer
• Email address
• Fax machine
• Documentation to back up your claim
• Witnesses to back up your claim
• Envelope or package large enough to hold your evidence
• Space on the wall to display your official certificate
• Agreement Regarding Record Attempt

1. Register as a member on the official Guinness World Record website.
2. Click on the blue animated image on the right hand side once you get to the Members' Page. This will take you to the online application form. Fill out one for every record you want to apply for, and print out the pages for your own reference.
3. Decide if you want a standard application or a fast track one. Standard applications are free and take from 4 to 6 weeks to process. Fast track ones take 3 working days.
4. Complete the Agreement Regarding Record Attempt. This will be emailed to you within three working days, along with a claim identification number. Put this claim identification number on all correspondence regarding your world record attempt. Fax it back to Guinness after you have read and signed it. Your claim will not be processed without the Agreement.
5. Wait another 4 to 6 weeks for Guinness to make a decision regarding your world record attempt. They may contact you for more documentation during this time. Be sure to put your claim identification number on each page of your additional documentation.
6. Follow the guidelines set forth by Guinness if they accept your world record attempt. Send all the information in one package with the claim identification number clearly printed on the outside and on every piece of documentation you have submitted.
7. Hang your official world record certificate proudly on your wall after 4 to 6 weeks, if your record and proof have been accepted by Guinness.

Tips & Warnings

• The fax number to send back the Agreement Regarding Record Attempt is included in the first email Guinness sends you.
• Guinness designated November 9 as "International Guinness World Record Day" in 2005 to encourage people to go out and break old records. Lots of people took them up on the challenge, and 2,244 new records were set within the next year.