Oxford Book of World Records has a professionally trained records management team who carry out extensive research and checks to ensure new records are awarded.
When you submit a request for a new listing name, our listing category experts will carefully review your proposal for approval. When you submit evidence for a new or existing title, the records management team conducts an extensive review of that evidence to ensure that it is sufficient to prove that you obtained the relevant registration name.
When submitting your application, it is important to provide as much information as possible, including:
What you want to achieve?
How, where and why you want to achieve this?
Any references to help our team understand your offer.
During the application process, you can search our entire database of records to see if there are records that match your ideas and what goals you need to overcome.
If the new name proposal is accepted, or if you are registering an existing name, you will receive instructions to attempt registration. It is important that you read this document and the evidence checklist carefully and document all evidence requested. This is so that our team can review all the evidence submitted and verify that your actions were successful. It is also important to ask questions before each writing activity.
This is to give you time to respond as it can take up to two weeks to respond. If your application is accepted, you can send all correspondence directly to the records manager through your online account.
For ideas about the evidence you should provide as part of your writing effort, see How to collect and submit evidence.
For new record ideas, remember that book of Oxford Book of World Records only recognizes WORLD records. We do not check performance in country. All names listed in the Oxford Book of World Records must meet the following important criteria:
Measurable - Fastest/Longest/Heaviest/Biggest?
Breakable - Can someone else break or beat your record? All our disc titles should be released for testing.
Standardisable - Can record names be universal? For example, it cannot indicate something specific to a region.
Verifiable - Can you prove your claim? For example, a statement that "a person never drank water" will never be confirmed unless the person was born and observed by witnesses throughout his life.
A Variable - we can see the bigger picture, but most people don't consider the bigger picture.
Universal - A proposition must be about something or known to most of the world.
It shouldn't be too specific/local. Significantly different from the current record - If your proposal for a record is similar to what we already have, please break the current record rather than accept a version of the same subject.
For more information, see what constitutes a book of Oxford Book of World Records title.
We currently have over 15,000 items, so check out our site if you're interested!
You can find posts by using the search function and entering keywords.
Use quotation marks ("xxxx") to search for specific keywords. All results containing the selected keywords are returned. If you still can't find what you're looking for, it's possible that the post you're interested in hasn't been updated on our website yet, or the post you're currently viewing isn't or hasn't been updated.
If you have questions about a listing that you would like to update or set up, please register for an account with us. Then log in and click the "Request Registration" button on your dashboard to request it. If you can't find the post you're looking for, you'll be given the option to "Request a new post name." As we do not offer one-on-one consulting services, we cannot answer multiple questions or specific cases at this time.
In these cases, book of World Records works with the official governing body for the respective technology/sport. Learn more about our logging policy.
With record-breaking success and an unrivaled reputation around the world, our role is to celebrate the world's best, inspire, entertain and inform ordinary people.
For this reason, we do not pay record breakers for their performance or record attempts. We also cannot reimburse, sponsor or provide equipment to anyone attempting to set a record.
You also cannot make donations to individuals, charities or companies. This is to ensure that we maintain our rightful position as a world record breaking institution and truly inclusive of all applicants.
Although we currently have over 40,000 entries in our database, due to space limitations we can only publish about 4,000 entries in our books each year. This is always a tough decision for editors and editor-in-chief!
If your entry is not selected for publication, there is always the possibility that it may be included in a future publication or appear on the official website.
We have over 40,000 current listings in our database and are doing our best to put as many online as possible. We currently have over 15,000 posts updated every week, so check back often!
To ensure that you remain part of the thousands of personal paths to success, we may provide access to use services such as official referees through paid consulting services only.
Visit the Business Solutions section to learn more about the services they offer. Select Contact Account Manager to speak with a member of the consulting team.
You must first register online to break an existing record or set a new record and view the instructions.
Each application for a new registration name is reviewed individually by our experts and we cannot guarantee whether your registration will be approved by email or phone. If you need an idea of what to choose, what do the book of World Records titles give you? Or browse the record exhibition for inspiration. Also visit our Guide to Evidence page to get an idea of what evidence you need to provide as part of your written action.
Please understand that we cannot answer questions by mail.
We do not offer one-on-one consulting services as part of our self-service application. All self-service request offers must be made through our website by submitting a request. What does it mean to hold a book of World Record before submitting a new one?
If you are applying on behalf of a company, institution or non-profit organization, you may be interested in our records consulting services.
Yes, it depends on the type of post you want to view. However, if you are under 16, you will need a parent or guardian to create an account and submit an application on your behalf. If you need advice on what records are, what is included in the Book of World Records?
Don't forget you can always browse the record store for great ideas!
Oxford Book of World Records sets a minimum age of 16 for several record categories. These are usually very physical, dangerous, or stamina-based items. There are also other records that are not suitable for children under the age of 16, as determined by the Oxford Book of World Records.
It is not possible to apply for registration if you are under 16, so it is recommended that you apply again when you are older. In the meantime, try browsing other posts on the site.
Oxford Book of World Records receives over 50,000 record requests per year (approximately 1,000 per week). To better serve everyone, we have set a limit of 3 requests per person in 24 hours. When you reach the limit, a message will appear on the dashboard telling you how long you will have to wait before you can apply again.
You can choose the priority application service during the online application process when you first submit your application. If you decide later that you want to go a little faster, you can upgrade to priority registration at any time. If you choose the “Priority Request” option, your request will be reviewed within 5 business days. Normal processing of requests can take up to 12 weeks.
To do this, log in to your book of Oxford World Records account, select the appropriate app and click Upgrade to priority app. Once you have submitted your evidence to us, you can also purchase our Priority Evidence Review service to prioritize evidence review and approval of your dossier.
The Priority Evidence Review service is only available AFTER we have received your completed evidence and will ensure that your evidence is reviewed within 5 working days (waiting times are up to 12 weeks for standard questions).
We currently accept payment methods for Priority Application and Priority Evidence Review: PayPal and Credit or Debit Card.
If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, please request an invoice during the application process when you get to the payment page and follow the instructions.
Please note that our priority application service is not a standard candidate advisory service, it only expedites the standard application process. Using the priority application process does not guarantee that your application will be accepted and we will not issue a refund if your application is not successful.
If you would like to learn more about our paid consulting services or would like to apply on behalf of an organization or brand, please visit the Business Solutions section of our website.
*Please note - Our normal waiting times are sometimes longer when we have a higher than normal number of requests.
For the most up-to-date information, visit our Current Application Wait Times page.
Our priority evidence application and review services are only available to individuals or small groups whose primary purpose for attempting a record is personal achievement.
If you are trying to set a record on behalf of an organization please contact our consultancy service where they are part of a wide range of products and services to maximize the impact of your record attempt. To learn more about how we can help you, visit our business solutions pages.
Payments must be made via Paypal, Credit or Debit Card and these options will appear once you reach the payment screen when processing an application.
However, if you are unable to pay using these methods, you can generate an invoice and then arrange payment by bank transfer.
First log into your Oxford Book of World Records account and then submit a record request.
After selecting the product, you will enter the payment screen.
Here, select the "Request an invoice for alternative payment methods" link at the bottom of the payment options
Then enter your details (name and address) which will appear on the invoice
Then choose "Generate Invoice"
On the next page there is a link to your invoice. Select "View Invoice"
Your invoice will load in a new window. It can be downloaded in PDF or printed here
you must then initiate payment by bank transfer to the bank details indicated on your invoice.
If you are initiating payment, you must provide your application reference number as a reference on the payment
After receipt of payment, your request will be forwarded for processing. It is important that you include your application reference number on your bank transfer to avoid delays in processing your application.
Your request will not be processed until the funds have been credited to our account and then matched to your request by our payment team.
Note: receipts are not generated when paying by bank transfer.
First off, congratulations - you're officially amazing!
As a book of Oxford Book of World Record holder, you are entitled to a free record holder certificate.
All newly approved record holders must order their own record holder certificate directly from the Oxford Book of World Records Store. Please login to the store with your book of Oxford Book of World Records Account ID and Password and your free certificate will automatically be added to your cart. This certificate is free. If you would like to order more registrant certificates, please add them to your cart. Please note: We do not currently offer 'soft' or electronic copies of certificates.
If you have a technical question about the Oxford Book of World Records website, please contact us. Be sure to provide us with your registered email address, name, application ID (if applicable) and, if possible, screenshots of any issues encountered.
Book of World Records receives over 50,000 record requests each year, or nearly 1,000 requests per week!
Due to the consistently high number of requests we receive, the wait time for a response to a self-service request can be up to 12 weeks.
Once we receive proof of your record attempt, it may take up to 12 weeks for us to review your records and let you know if your record attempt was successful.
If you need a faster response, we recommend using Priority Application Service. This is a paid service that you can select during your request. You can upgrade to use this service at any time by logging back into your account. Visit our Evidence Guide page to get an idea of what evidence you will need to provide as part of your record attempt.
*Please note - Our normal waiting times are sometimes longer when we have a higher than normal number of requests.
You can find the most up-to-date information in our current waiting times for applications.
Please complete the application form.
If you can't find a post, you can request a new one by clicking the "Request New Post Topic" button at the bottom of the page.
See the full application guide for details. After submitting your standard application, your application will be reviewed by a dedicated records management team at Oxford Book of World Records headquarters.
The Writing Guide is available through your online account and through your Evidence Guide if you are registered for an existing or new title, as we deem necessary. This describes the evidence that must be submitted to the Oxford Book of World Records to assess the outcome of a record attempt. This document also contains printable sample documents that you can send to us. For ideas about the evidence you should provide as part of your writing effort, see How to collect and Submit Evidence.
All evidence must be submitted online. You can upload evidence by logging in to your account. All file formats are accepted online, so please do not submit your evidence to Oxford Book of World Records offline. Our professional records management team will then review your evidence. If your attempt is successful, you'll receive an official Oxford Book of World Records™ Record Holder Certificate for free, confirming your record holder status!
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to emails so please apply online or check our contact page. Do not submit proof until you have submitted your application and received instructions. Cannot be processed.