An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is an eight-digit code that uniquely identifies a serial publication —such as a scholarly journal— regardless of where it is published or in which language. It is essential for the correct identification of your journal in databases, it is a prerequisite for requesting a DOI prefix, and it lends credibility and international recognition to the publication. Without an ISSN, indexing and DOI registration are simply not possible.
What exactly is an ISSN?
The ISSN identifies the title of a serial, not a single article or issue. Each medium gets its own number: a journal published both in print and online needs a print ISSN and a separate electronic ISSN (e-ISSN). For online-only journals —the most common case today— you request an e-ISSN.
Who issues the ISSN?
The ISSN is managed worldwide by the ISSN International Centre (based in Paris, under the auspices of UNESCO), which coordinates a network of national ISSN centres in more than 90 countries. As a rule:
- If your publisher is based in a country that has a national ISSN centre, you request the ISSN from that centre.
- If your country has no national centre, you request it directly from the ISSN International Centre.
In most countries the assignment is free of charge.
Step by step to request an ISSN
1. Identify the responsible centre. Check the ISSN International Centre portal (portal.issn.org) to find the national centre for your country, or to apply directly if none exists.
2. Prepare your journal's information. Have the essential data ready (see the checklist below). The journal should already have a defined title, a publisher, and —for online journals— a live URL or a homepage ready to go.
3. Complete the request form. Each centre provides its own online form. Provide accurate metadata: an inconsistent title or missing publisher details are the most common causes of delay.
4. Submit and follow up. After submission, the centre reviews the request and may ask for adjustments or additional information. Processing time varies by country, typically from a few days to a few weeks.
Information usually required
- Full and exact title of the journal (and any subtitle or parallel title).
- Publisher name and contact details.
- Medium (online, print, or both) and, for online journals, the URL.
- Main language and subject area.
- Frequency and, if applicable, the ISSN of the journal in another medium.
How OJSBR helps
OJSBR guides your journal through the whole process, wherever you are:
- Identifying the correct centre for your country and requirements.
- Preparing the publication —cover, masthead, table of contents and metadata— so it meets the centre's criteria.
- Submitting and tracking the request, responding to any queries until the ISSN is assigned.
With the ISSN in hand, the next step is usually the DOI: as an official Crossref sponsor, OJSBR registers and manages your DOIs with no annual fee, charged per use.
