How do I timestamp my creative work?

Upload your file to Lyricsmit. We generate a SHA-256 cryptographic fingerprint and record an RFC 3161 independent timestamp at the exact moment of submission. The file is never stored. You receive a permanent record ID and a shareable verification link.

What file types can I timestamp?

Any file. Audio files (MP3, WAV, FLAC, AIFF), video files, PDFs, Word documents, ZIP archives, images, scripts, code files, or any other format. Lyricsmit generates a fingerprint regardless of file type.

What does the timestamp contain?

The timestamp record contains: the SHA-256 hash of your file, the exact UTC moment the record was created, a permanent record ID, and a public verification link. The file itself is never stored.

How do I verify a timestamp?

Every saved record has a public verification link. Anyone with the link can check the record — including the hash, the timestamp, and any creator metadata you chose to include. No account is needed to verify a record.

Is the timestamp independent?

Yes. The RFC 3161 timestamp is issued by an independent trusted timestamp authority (TSA). It does not depend on Lyricsmit's servers to be valid. The timestamp can be verified against the public TSA infrastructure independently of Lyricsmit.

Can I timestamp the same file twice?

Yes. Each upload creates a new record with its own timestamp. If you upload the same unchanged file twice, both records will have the same SHA-256 hash but different timestamps. If the file has changed between uploads, the hashes will differ — documenting the change.

Does timestamping my work replace copyright?

No. A timestamp records when a file existed. Copyright is a legal right that attaches to original creative works. The two serve different purposes. Creators often use both — copyright for legal protection, timestamps for independent documentation of when a specific version of their work existed.

How long does it take?

Seconds. Upload your file, create the record, and you have a permanent timestamped entry. No account is needed to start.

The practical guide

How to timestamp creative work.

Timestamping your work means creating an independent, verifiable record of when a specific file existed. The process is simple. Understanding what the timestamp actually contains — and what it cannot do — is what makes it useful.

Step one — upload the file

Upload any file to Lyricsmit. Audio, video, document, archive, image, script — any format. The file is processed locally in your browser before anything is sent. Only the cryptographic fingerprint reaches our servers. The file itself is never stored.

Step two — the fingerprint is generated

A SHA-256 hash is computed from the exact contents of your file. This is a fixed-length string of characters that uniquely represents the file at this exact moment. If the file changes — even by a single character — the hash changes completely. The same unchanged file always produces the same hash.

That hash is the fingerprint. It is what makes the timestamp meaningful. It ties the timestamp to a specific, verifiable version of the file.

Step three — the timestamp is recorded

The fingerprint is submitted to an RFC 3161 trusted timestamp authority (TSA). The TSA records the exact UTC moment of submission and signs it cryptographically. That signature is independent of Lyricsmit — it can be verified against the public TSA infrastructure by any party.

The result: a permanent record showing that this exact file — unchanged — existed at this exact moment.

What the record contains

—The SHA-256 hash of your file
—The exact UTC timestamp of the record
—A permanent record ID
—A public verification link — shareable with anyone
—Optional: your name, creative field, and location — if you choose to add them

Verifying a record

Every saved record has a public verification link. Anyone with the link can check the hash, the timestamp, and any creator metadata — without creating an account. Share the link with a collaborator, a label, a publisher, or a supervisor. The record is self-contained and independently verifiable.

What a timestamp cannot do

—Establish who created the file or who owns it
—Replace copyright registration or formal legal filings
—Constitute legal advice

What is proof of existence?Protect your work before sharing Protect your lyrics Protect your screenplay For researchers

Create a timestamped record What is proof of existence?

Free to use · No account needed to start · No file storage