Questions about the application process
HOW DO I APPLY TO SET OR BREAK A RECORD?
All record applications need to be submitted online, here: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/set-record/
Our application process is completely free-of-charge and open to anyone wishing to attempt to earn their place in the record books.
When your application is accepted we send you the General Info pack and Record Guidelines for the specific record you wish to attempt. You will also get the Evidence Required pack which outlines the evidence you need to provide so Guinness World Records can assess the success of your record attempt.
Your complete evidence should then be mailed to our offices in London.
Our Record Adjudicators will assess your evidence and, if your attempt is verified as successful, we'll send you an official Guinness World Records certificate to confirm your record-holder status.
Please don't send us evidence without making an application first, as we will not be able to process it.
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 - almost 1,000 applications every week.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, it takes us up to 6 weeks to assess an application to attempt an existing record title and up to 12 weeks to assess an application for a new record title.
However, if you need an answer quicker than this, we offer a premium processing service called Fast Track. More information can be found here: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/our-services/fast-track/
HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY WHEN I MAKE MY RECORD ATTEMPT?
Nothing! Guinness World Records offers a completely free-of-charge service to anyone who wishes to attempt a world record. We will process your claim, assess the evidence of your record attempt and, if your attempt is successful, we will send you an official Guinness World Records certificate to confirm your record-holder status.
The only time Guinness World Records requires payment is for our premium services, such as priority processing of a record application with our Fast Track service or if you wish to hire a Guinness World Records Adjudicator to attend your record attempt.
You can read about all our record-breaking services here: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/our-services/
HOW DOES THE FAST TRACK SERVICE WORK?
Guinness World Records offers a completely free-of-charge service to anyone who wishes to attempt a world record. It takes us between 4 and 6 weeks to process your application.
Fast Track is a priority processing service which ensures your record application is processed with three working days.
You can Fast Track the processing of your claim at any time. Fast Track processing, in English, costs £450/$700 and, should your application be accepted, also provides a review of your evidence with in three working days of receipt.
Fast Track is a priority service for the processing of your record application, it does not guarantee that your application will be successful. We are unable to refund the priority processing fee for unsuccessful applications.
To get Fast Track processing on your record application, log in to your Members Area: http://member.guinnessworldrecords.com/register/login.aspx
Questions about Guinness World Records
WHAT IS RECORD ADJUDICATION?
Record Adjudication is the verification process Guinness World Records undertakes to confirm whether a world record has been achieved. A Record Adjudicator is the official Guinness World Records judge who performs the verification.
You are not required to have an Adjudicator present when you attempt a record - but if you do not, you must carefully document and record your attempt so our team of Adjudicators can assess the evidence you send to us and verify whether your attempt has been successful.
Should you wish to invite a Guinness World Records Adjudicator, and get immediate confirmation of the outcome of your attempt, you can purchase on-site verification from our range of Adjudication Services.
You can read more about our services, here: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/our-services/
WHICH RECORD IS BROKEN MOST OFTEN?
Some of the most frequently broken records are the Longest DJ marathon, the Heaviest item lifted with glue and the Most apples bobbed in one minute!
Another record that is broken regularly is the oldest person in the world. But the oldest person ever remains Jeanne Louise Calment who lived to be an incredible 122 years and 164 days old.
WHO HOLDS THE MOST GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS?
The individual who holds the most Guinness World Records is Mr Ashrita Furman. He is attempting and breaking records all the time, but at last count he had more than 125 current Guinness World Records titles. Those include the records for long-distance pogo-stick jumping, most glasses balanced on the chin, most hop-scotch games in 24 hours and fastest time to pogo-stick up the CN Tower.
DOES GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS PAY RECORD HOLDERS?
As the world's independent authority on record-breaking achievement, our role is to verify and document world records.
As such we never pay record breakers for their achievements or for making a record attempt. Nor do we cover expenses, offer sponsorship or provide equipment for anyone attempting a record.
WHAT RECORDS CAN I BREAK?
Guinness World Records only recognises world records, we do not recognise national or country specific achievements.
All Guinness World Records must also fulfil some key criteria including:
- Measurable (fastest, longest, heaviest, most)
- Based on a single variable (we cannot recognise the longest fastest item, only the fastest OR the longest)
- Verifiable (can you prove it?)
- Breakable (all our records must be open to being challenged)
Beyond that, the world of record-breaking is wonderfully diverse and as broad as your imagination!
If you have an idea or talent which meets all these conditions then make your application now: http://member.guinnessworldrecords.com/register/register.aspx?existing=0
WHAT KIND OF RECORDS SHOULD I NOT TRY TO BREAK?
We assess each and every application that we receive - but many cannot be recognised as a world record.
Some of the activities that we do not recognise include those which are not sufficiently challenging, those which are too specific to an individual or anything that is unbreakable.
Guinness World Records does not endorse unsuitable activities or those which could cause potential harm or endanger animals or spectators.
We do not permit people under the age of 16 to attempt or hold records which are considered unsuitable for minors and in these instances Guinness World Records works in association with the official regulatory body for the particular skill or sport.
WHERE ARE THE HEADQUARTERS OF GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS?
Guinness World Records Ltd is based in London, England. We also have offices in New York, U.S. and Tokyo, Japan.
Guinness World Records has Record Adjudicators stationed in all offices, as well as Australia, China, Germany, India, Italy, the Middle East, Paraguay and Turkey.
Any postal correspondence should be addressed to: Guinness World Records, 184-192 Drummond Street, London, NW1 3HP, United Kingdom.
WHY IS MY RECORD NOT IN THE BOOK?
There are more than 40,000 current records in our database, however due to space constraints we can only publish around 4,000 records in the book each year.
As such our editorial team and editor-in-chief have to make the tough decision about which records will be included each year.
If your record hasn't been selected for publication on this occasion, there's a chance that it may be included in future editions, or it may appear on this website.
WHY IS MY RECORD NOT ON THE WEBSITE?
There are more than 40,000 current records in our database and we currently present about 3,000 records online. We'll be adding more every week, so make sure to check the site regularly.
I HAVE FOUND AN ERROR IN THE BOOK, SHOULD I INFORM YOU?
We always welcome any comments regarding our publications. These can be sent to us through the Contact Us section of the website: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/contact/
Your observations will be sent to our editorial department for further investigation. We always endeavour to achieve the highest possible standards of accuracy.
IS GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS ENCOURAGING FOOD WASTAGE BY RECOGNISING LARGE FOOD RECORDS?
For all large food records we require that the item is fully edible and it must either be consumed or distributed for consumption after it has been measured.
These are stipulations within the Record Guidelines for all large food record and must be fulfilled in order to achieve a Guinness World Records title.
Questions about the website
I HAVE RECEIVED A CHAIN LETTER/E-MAIL THAT SAYS I'LL GET INTO A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD PUBLICATION IF I SEND THE MESSAGE ON AND DO NOT BREAK THE CHAIN. IS IT GENUINE?
Guinness World Records does not accept any records relating to chain letters, sent by post or e-mail.
If you receive a letter or an e-mail which promises to publish the names of all those who send it on, it is not genuine.
Even if it states that Guinness World Records or the postal service are involved, we are not and no such attempt would be recognised as a world record.
WHAT ARE COOKIES, AND WHY DO I NEED THEM TO VIEW THIS WEBSITE?
When you first connect to guinnessworldrecords.com, our web server places a very basic text file on your computer.
This file is called a cookie, and it contains a unique Identifier so that we can tell if you have visited our site before.
The next time you visit the site, your browser sends us the text file, telling us who you are - and this saves you from having to register each time you log on.
If your web browser is not set up to accept cookies, you can still access the site, but you will have to register each time you visit.
Consult your browser's documentation to enable cookies.
