Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I apply to set or break a record?
  
  

  The first thing you need to do is to tell us what record you're interested in breaking. Do this by registering and filling in the form found in the "Set a Record" section of the website.

  If you tell us that you want to break an existing record we'll send you the current record details and the relevant rules and guidelines for you to follow when you attempt to break that record.

  If you wish to try something that hasn’t been done before or have already attempted a potential record then we'll need to pass your suggestion on to our research department first. They'll decide if it's something that we're interested in establishing as a new record category. If we are, they'll draw up the necessary guidelines and send them to you. If not, we can always suggest other records that you may wish to attempt.

• How long will it take for me to get a response to my record-breaking application?
  
  

  Each year we receive around 65,000 record-related enquiries from people who want to set or break records. Due to the number of queries we receive, it usually takes us between 4 and 6 weeks to reply, although sometimes it may take longer given the sheer volume of claims and queries we receive. However, if you need an answer quicker than this, we are able to offer our premium "Fast Track" and "Fast Review" service.

• How does the Fast Track service work?
  
  

  It currently takes between 4 and 6 weeks for our researchers to reply to a record application. However, if you need an answer quicker than this, we are able to offer a premium "Fast Track" service.

  This service ensures that your application is reviewed and a response sent to you within three working days of receipt of your Agreement Regarding Record Attempts, here in the London office.

  This service carries a charge of £300*, and payment must be received by Guinness World Records before we can process your application.

  • If you use the service and your record suggestion is approved by us, or is a current Guinness World Records category, we will get back to you within the three days with relevant rules so you can go ahead and attempt the record, as soon as possible.
  • In addition, should you have any subsequent queries regarding your attempt, we will answer those as a priority up until the date of the attempt.
  • If, however, your record suggestion is not suitable for a Guinness World Record, we'll also get back to you with an explanation of why it is not of interest.

  Credit card payment can be made online by our secure server. Refunds will be given at the discretion of company management.

  *Please note, the fee covers the review of the initial record category query only, it does not cover the review of any subsequent claim on the relevant category. We do, however, offer a Fast Review service to the review and potential approval of any completed record claim. Once we have received your full claim and all necessary documentation, we will evaluate your claim within two working days. If your claim is successful, confirmation of your record and certificate will be couriered to you. The charge for this service is £300.

  Refunds, as mentioned, are at the discretion of the Company Management. Please note whilst the Fast Track fee guarantees a response within the three working days, it is not a guarantee that your proposal will be accepted by GWR as a potential record category. The proposal will be considered and reviewed by us here at GWR, as all proposals are, on its individual merits. A refund, therefore, will NOT be given solely on the grounds of your proposal being rejected by us.

• How does Fast Review service work?
  
  

  Due to the vast quantity of claims we receive it can take up to 8 weeks for your completed record claim to be reviewed. If you require an urgent response for your record claim, we offer a priority Fast Review service which guarantees a response within 2 working days upon the receipt of £300. For this a Records Manager is assigned immediately to your claim and the review process will begin straight away. Purchase of the Fast Review service does not guarantee the approval of your claim.

• Where can I buy the book?
  
  

  The book is available in most major book retailers from September.

  Alternatively you can buy it online at Amazon.

• I have been asked to send, as part of a record attempt, a greetings card/business card/company compliment slip to a 6-year-old child diagnosed with cancer. Is this record attempt still going?
  
  

  This record attempt has ceased. Many years ago, a boy fighting cancer started a campaign for people to send him get-well messages in order to set a record for the most items received. Not only was that boy successful in getting a mention in the 1991 edition of the Guinness World Records book, he also made a full recovery.

  However, since then, chain mails have started up with variations on the original story, some requesting business cards or compliments slips rather than get-well messages. Please don't respond to any such requests, and if anyone asks you about it please tell them it's a hoax!

• 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 may promise to publish the names of all those who send it on, please destroy it, it is a hoax. No matter if it says that Guinness World Records and the postal service are involved, they are not.

  We are sorry if you have been taken in by a chain letter claiming to be legitimate and are now disappointed to learn that it is not.

• Which record is broken most often?
  
  

  A number of high-profile records are broken on a regular basis. For example, the DJ marathon with more attempts being made every month. Another record that is broken regularly is the oldest person in the world, where details of the holder's birth has been officially corroborated.

• Who holds the most Guinness World Records?
  
  

  The individual who holds the most Guinness World Records is Mr Ashrita Furman. He holds the records for, among others, 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.

• Where are the headquarters of Guinness World Records Ltd?
  
  

  Guinness World Records Ltd is based in London, England. Any postal correspondence should be addressed to: Guinness World Records Ltd, 3rd Floor, 184-192 Drummond Street, London, NW1 3HP.

• How much do I have to pay when I make my record attempt?
  
  

  Generally, nothing! The only time Guinness World Records might expect payment is if you need to use our Fast Track or Fast Review service – and if members of our staff have, by arrangement, attended your event.

  Also, while all successful record breakers receive, free of charge, a certificate recognizing their achievement, we do make a charge for any additional copies if they're requested.

• How much does Guinness World Records pay their record breakers?
  
  

  We never pay record breakers for their achievements – we also do not cover expenses, offer sponsorship or provide equipment. We believe that the prestige and international recognition of being an official Guinness World Record is reward enough.

  Also, our record holders are fuelled not by financial gain but the satisfaction of setting, achieving and surpassing their goals – and receiving the offical Guinness World Records certificate.

• I have found an error in the book, should I inform you?
  
  

  We always welcome any comments regarding our publications, and these can be passed on to us through the Contact Us section of the website. Your observations will be sent to our editorial department for further investigation. We always endeavour to achieve the highest possible standards of accuracy.

• Why is my record not in the book?
  
  

  Each year we receive approximately 65,000 enquiries from around the world from people who want to set or break records. Many are successful and their details are added to our database of records.

  However, we can only publish around 4,000 records in the book each year, as it would be impossible to publish entries on all records and record-holders. An editorial decision therefore has to be made as to which records will be included.

  If your record hasn't been selected for publication on this occasion, there's a chance that it may be included in future editions, dependent upon the requirements of the book-buying public and the managing editor’s discretion. It may also appear in this website.

• Why is my record not on the website?
  
  

  There are more than 30,000 record categories in our database, and only a proportion of these records can feature on the website. We currently house about 3,000 records online, but we'll be adding more every week, so make sure to check the site regularly.

• I can't read the text - the typeface is too large and overlaps, or too small. How do I change the size?
  
  

  This site is designed to be read with a medium text size. However, if you have your browser set to another text size, you may find it difficult to read.

  Internet Explorer users should go to the View menu and choose Text Size > Medium (or a smaller or larger size depending on your version)

  Netscape Navigator users should go to the View menu and choose Text Zoom > 100% (or a smaller or larger size depending on your version)

• What is Record Adjudication?
  
  

  A record adjudicator is an official Guinness World Records Judge who will attend your event and verify your record immediately if successful. It is possible to establish a record without having an adjudicator present at the event – However you may find that inviting a representative from Guinness World Records will hugely increase the profile of your event and create more media interest because your record will be immediately announced and the representative will present you with a Guinness World Record Certificate.

  Guinness World Records adjudicators often attend these types of events, to ensure the record is carried out according to the guidelines provided. They are well trained in media interviews, and will be available prior to, during and post the event to speak to radio, TV and newspaper journalists about your record. At the event, should it be successful, the representative will immediately present a framed Guinness World Records certificate recognising your achievement. The certificate presentation will be an important element of your event and will attract a lot of attention from the media.

  As part of our adjudication service, we also include a review of your press release; our internal Press Office will be available to examine your press release and help distribute it to the media. Also we will endeavour to circulate the record and the pictures you will supply after the record has been established or broken. In addition to this, we will provide you with a quick and friendly service to help you solve any enquiry regarding the rules, guidelines and the organisation of the record attempt with a Records Manager from our London office who will be dedicated to your record attempt

  This service can only be offered to a selected number of claimants and incurs an attendance fee plus costs of travel, all transfers to and from the event and accommodation if necessary.

• What kind of records should I NOT try to break?
  
  

  Guinness World Records receives around 65,000 record claims each year, and it's obviously impossible for us to accept everything that’s sent to us.

  Some record suggestions are, frankly, far too dangerous for us accept, especially if there is risk to spectators and members of the public as well as the individual participant(s). Others are simply not enough of a challenge, too specific to an individual, or unbreakable.

  Also, owing to space constraints and limited resources, it is no longer possible for us to recognize or publish national or parochial (country specific) records. This is why we are now called Guinness World Records, not the Guinness Book of Records.

  While we certainly do not underestimate these accomplishments, we do require all of our records to be provable, quantifiable and breakable.

• Where can I buy or sell back issues of Guinness World Records and the Guinness Book of Records?
  
  

  Guinness World Records don't sell earlier editions of the book, but you can buy them from Premier Books:
  Not Just Books
  27-29 High Street
  Billinghay
  Lincolnshire LN4 4AU.
  Telephone: 01526 860294

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