FAQs: Making an Application
How do I apply to set or break a record?
- Register for an account
- You will receive an email with an activation link. Click on the link, and you will be brought to a dashboard page.
- Click on the green ‘Apply for a record’ button.
- Search for the record that you want to break.
- When you find the record, click the ‘Apply Now’ button. If you cannot find the record you can apply for a new one by clicking ‘Apply for a new record title’ at the bottom of the page.
- Complete the application form.
For more information see our complete how to apply guide.
Once you have submitted your Standard Application, our dedicated Records Management Team at Guinness World Records HQ will review the application. If you have applied for an existing title, or for a new title that we find acceptable, we will make the Record Guidelines available to you via your online account, as well as the Guide to Your Evidence. This outlines the evidence you need to submit in order for Guinness World Records to assess the outcome of your record title attempt. This document will also include printable templates of documents to submit to us.
Visit our How to collect and submit evidence to get an idea of the evidence you need to provide as part of your record attempt.
All evidence must be submitted online. You can upload your evidence by logging into your account. Please do not send evidence to Guinness World Records by post as all file types are accepted online.
After this, our expert Records Management Team will assess your evidence. If your attempt is verified as successful, you will be eligible for one complimentary Official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Record-Holder Certificate to confirm your record-holder status!
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to letters, so please make an application online or check our contact page.
Please do not send us evidence before submitting an application and receiving your guidelines, as we will not be able to process it.
How do I get an adjudicator to attend my record attempt?
If you would like an official Guinness World Records Judge to attend your record attempt and provide on the spot verification, you may be interested in reading more about the services we can provide to your business.
To contact our commercial team, visit the business solutions section and select the option to Contact an Account Manager.
I want to know the guidelines for a record.
If you wish to break an existing record or set a new record, and want to view the guidelines, you will need to submit an online application first.
Each application for a new record title is reviewed individually by an expert and we are unable to tell you if your record can be accepted by email or phone.
If you need some ideas on what to choose, take a look at What Makes a Guinness World Records title? or explore our records showcase for inspiration.
Also visit our guide to evidence page to get an idea of the evidence you need to provide as part of your record attempt.
Please note, we cannot respond to postal enquiries.
I have a record idea, can I speak to someone about it first?
We do not provide individual consultative services as part of the Self-service application. All Self-service application proposals must be made via our website by submitting an application.
Before suggesting a new record, please view What makes a Guinness World Records title?
If you are applying on behalf of a business, agency or non-profit organisation, you may be interested in our Record Consultancy Service.
FAQs: Updates on Existing Applications
How can I speed up the Self-service Application process?
Waiting times for a Self-service application can take up to 12 weeks.*
It can take up to 12 weeks* for us to assess your application and send you the guidelines for your record attempt.
Once we receive the evidence for your record attempt, it can take up to 12 weeks* for us to review your documentation and let you know if your record attempt has been a success.
If you need a speedier response, we advise that you use the Priority Application service which will speed the processing of your record application to just 5 working days. This is a paid-for service which costs £500 (in the UK) and $800 (in the US) for applications for existing record titles, and £650 (in the UK) and $1,000 (in the US) for applications for new record titles. You can select this service when submitting your application. If you have already submitted a Standard Application and decide that you want to upgrade to the Priority Application service, you can do so at any time. To upgrade please log into your account, click onto your record title. On the next page, click on ‘Upgrade to Priority’ and then follow the prompts.
Please note, using the Priority Application service does not guarantee that your application will be successful and we do not issue refunds if your application is unsuccessful.
Visit our guide to evidence page to get an idea of the evidence you need to provide as part of your record attempt.
*Please note - Our usual wait times are sometimes extended when we have larger than normal volumes of applications.
Please refer to our Current application waiting timesfor the most up-to-date information.
I have not yet heard back and I would like an update on my application.
At Guinness World Records we evaluate each application individually and endeavour to get back to you as soon as we can, but due to the volume of applications we receive, it can take up to 12 weeks* to process, so please bear with us.
If you have received notice that your application has been accepted you can then use your online account, to send us a message to enquire about your application progress. To access your online account, log in and select the relevant application and scroll to the bottom of the page to the correspondence box. Your message will be delivered directly to the Records Manager dealing with your application.
This facility is only available once your application has been accepted and your guidelines have been released to you and it can take up to 2 weeks* to receive a response.
If your application and enquiry is urgent,you may wish to upgrade to the Priority Application service.
You can also check on the status of your application, update your profile details and application information, by logging into your account.
We receive almost 1,000 applications every week and sometimes experience delays. In the unlikely event you have not received a response from us within 12 weeks* of submitting your application, please contact us with your application ID, registered email address and proposed record title. Our Customer Service team will be able to look into this for you.
*Please note - Our usual wait times are sometimes extended when we have larger than normal volumes of applications.
Please refer to our Current application waiting timesfor the most up-to-date information.
How long will it take for me to get a response to my record-breaking application?
Guinness World Records receive over 50,000 record applications a year - that's almost 1,000 applications every week!
Due to the consistently high volume of applications we receive, the waiting times for a response to a Self-service application can be up to 12 weeks*.
Once we receive the evidence for your record attempt, it can take up to 12 weeks* for us to review your documentation and let you know if your record attempt has been a success.
If you need a speedier response, we advise that you use the Priority Application service. This is a paid-for service which you can select when submitting your application. You can upgrade to using this service at any time by logging back into your account.
Visit our guide to evidence page to get an idea of the evidence you need to provide as part of your record attempt.
*Please note - Our usual wait times are sometimes extended when we have larger than normal volumes of applications.
Please refer to our Current application waiting times for the most up-to-date information.
