Free for Every Culture, Always
How Registration Works
Four steps from entry to permanent protection. One registration covers 269 countries and regions. No fees, no renewals, no expiry.
The four steps
1
Register
Submit your culture, country or region, discipline and the elements you safeguard, free at unitedcultures.org/register.
2
Four proofs
Portfolio, government ID, a Letter of Cultural Mandate from your Ministry or cultural authority, and provenance evidence.
3
Review
A 30-day community window and the continental Cultural Advisory Panel examine every entry.
4
Chain anchor
Approved elements are hashed onto UC Chain and receive the UC Authenticity Mark, permanent proof of origin.
The four proofs in detail
1. Portfolio
Documentation of the element: photographs, recordings, drawings, texts or samples showing the element as practised by the community.
2. Government ID
Identification of the person submitting on behalf of the community, so every registration has an accountable representative.
3. Letter of Cultural Mandate
Written endorsement from the Ministry of Culture or the recognised cultural authority of the country or region, confirming the applicant speaks for the community.
4. Provenance evidence
Proof of living heritage: historical records, oral testimony, publications or community attestations showing the element belongs to the culture. Age is welcome; novelty is not required.
Who can register: the community itself, through a mandated representative. Registration is collective. No single person or company can claim a cultural element as private property through UC-CIPO.
