How to Register for an ORCID iD

You can register for an ORCID iD directly at orcid.org by creating an account with your name, email address, and a password. Registration is free, and once you verify your email you receive a unique 16-digit identifier that stays with you throughout your research career. This guide covers the full process, from opening the registration form to confirming your iD and adjusting your visibility settings.

Before You Start

Have the following ready:

• A working email address you can access immediately (you will need it to verify the account).
• Your name as you want it displayed on your record.
• A password that meets ORCID's requirements.

No institutional affiliation or payment is required to register. ORCID is designed for individual researchers, and the iD is yours regardless of where you work or move.

Step-by-Step Registration

1. Open the registration form

Go to orcid.org and choose the option to register for an iD. The site is a JavaScript application, so if the page appears blank or shows a message asking you to enable JavaScript, turn JavaScript on in your browser and reload.

2. Enter your name

Provide your given name and family name. This is the name that will appear on your ORCID record, so use the form you want cited and searchable. You can add variations or other names later.

3. Add your email address

Enter the email you want associated with the account. ORCID uses this for account verification and for notifications. If you plan to link your iD to an institution or publisher later, using your institutional email can make that matching easier, but any address you control works.

4. Create a password

Choose a password and confirm it. Follow the on-screen rules for length and character requirements. Store it somewhere secure — your ORCID iD is permanent, but you will need the password to sign in and edit your record.

5. Set your visibility preferences

During registration you choose default visibility for the information on your record. The common options are:

You can change visibility per item later, so the choice at registration is just a default, not a permanent lock.

6. Accept the terms and submit

Review the terms of use and confirm the registration. Submitting creates your account and generates your ORCID iD.

7. Verify your email

ORCID sends a verification message to the address you entered. Open it and follow the link to confirm the address. Until you verify, some features and notifications may be limited. If the email does not arrive, check your spam folder and request a new verification message.

What You Get

After verification you have a 16-digit ORCID iD, formatted as four groups of four digits (for example, 0000-0002-1825-0097). This identifier:

• Is unique to you and is not reassigned.
• Can be used on publications, grant applications, and profile pages.
• Links to a record you control, where you can add education, employment, and works.

After Registration: Basic Setup

Registration gives you the iD; the record becomes useful as you fill it in. Common next steps:

1. Add employment and education — list your current and past positions and degrees.
2. Add works — import publications from sources like Crossref or add them manually.
3. Connect other identifiers — link related IDs such as Scopus or ResearcherID where supported.
4. Review visibility — set each item to public, limited, or private depending on what you want shared.

Common Snags

• Blank page or JavaScript message — the application requires JavaScript; enable it or try a different browser.
• No verification email — check spam, confirm you typed the address correctly, and resend.
• Unsure which email to use — any address you control works; institutional email can simplify later linking.
• Worried about cost — registering and maintaining an ORCID iD does not require payment.

Deciding Whether to Register

Register if you publish, apply for grants, or need a stable identifier that distinguishes you from researchers with similar names. You do not need an ORCID iD to read about ORCID or to browse records, but you need one to maintain your own record and to attach it to your outputs. If you already have other researcher identifiers, an ORCID iD can coexist with them and be linked, rather than replacing them.