Guide
How to Get an ISRC Code
How to get ISRC codes for your music — via distributor or national agency, plus how to validate them before release.
ISRC codes identify your recordings and are required for professional distribution. Most artists get them through their distributor; registered rights holders can also obtain codes from national ISRC agencies.
Steps
1 Understand what you need
Each recording needs its own ISRC. Re-recordings, remixes and different versions each get a new code. Keep the same code for the same recording across releases.
- ISRC format: 2-letter country + 3-char registrant + 2-digit year + 5 digits
- Example: INZAV2400011
2 Get ISRCs via your distributor
Zaventra Music Group assigns ISRCs to every release and registers them, so you don't need to handle codes yourself.
- Codes stay with your catalog even if you switch distributors
- Your distributor embeds ISRCs into metadata
3 Or register with a national agency
Rights holders can register with their country's ISRC agency and generate their own codes. This requires a registrant code.
- Registration is usually for labels/publishers with catalogs
- Once registered, generate codes systematically
4 Validate before release
Check every ISRC for correct format and uniqueness before delivering. Use an ISRC validator to catch errors early.
- Duplicate or malformed ISRCs split your streaming pages
- Validate each track individually
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ISRC codes free?
From your distributor, yes. National agency registration may involve a fee depending on your country.
Can I generate my own ISRC?
Only with a registered registrant code from the national agency. Random generation isn't valid.
What if I reuse an ISRC by mistake?
It can corrupt royalty data and split streams. Use validation tools to prevent it.