The following information is regarding TuneCore's Publishing Administration service
Depending on which PRO / performing rights society you decide to affiliate with as a writer, there may be a fee. For example, in the US, BMI is currently free of charge to affiliate as a writer, ASCAP has a processing fee for each application which is $50 USD, and SESAC is currently by invite only.
To affiliate as a publisher with BMI you would have to pay a non-refundable application fee of $250 USD. ASCAP charges a $50 USD non-refundable application fee to affiliate as a publisher. Lastly, SESAC is invite only to join as a publisher.
An example outside of the US would be PRS in the UK which charges £50 GBP as a writer. To join MCPS, the UK mechanical society, as a writer it would cost £50 GBP and as a publisher £400 GBP.
However, please be advised that by joining our Publishing Administration Service you do not need to have your own publishing entity because TuneCore will act on your behalf as your publisher with one of our affiliated companies: TuneCore Digital Music (BMI), TuneCore Publishing (ASCAP), or TuneCore Songs (SESAC). This will save you the money and trouble from having to affiliate as a publisher. At the very minimum you should be affiliated as a writer.
Please note: You cannot have mixed affiliations. For example, you cannot be with BMI as a writer and then be with ASCAP as a publisher as this causes conflicts in registering your compositions. There must be consistency with your affiliation.
If you are affiliated with a PRO outside of the US, then you will be allowed to choose to be licensed through BMI or ASCAP in the states. For example, if you are affiliated with PRS in the UK, you will be asked if you wish to be licensed through BMI or ASCAP in the states during your sign up process. Please note that ASCAP will be the default society in the US.