United States Copyright Office
Though there are services that can help in the filing process, all copyrights are issued by the U.S. Copyright Office. The fee for copyrighting most literary works is $30, but check with the official U.S. Copyright Office before filing for exact figures. The two most common registration forms for Original Registration are:

Form PA: for published and unpublished works of the performing arts (musical and dramatic works, pantomimes and choreographic works, motion pictures and other audiovisual works) including SCRIPTS. Click here to download Form PA, or here to go to the USCO website for Form PA.

Form TX: for published and unpublished nondramatic literary works such as poems, short stories, and NOVELS. Click here to download Form TX, or here to go to the USCO website for Form TX. (NOTE: There is also a short form version of this available at the USCO website.)

Here are some of the more useful links found on the U.S. Copyright Office's website:

• Copyright Basics
• Copyright Registration Procedures
• Copyright FAQs

You can find out LOTS more about copyright law at the U.S. Copyright Office's website. Here's their url: http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/