How to receive an ISBN in Azerbaijan?

The Khazar University Press (KUP), as a National ISBN Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is responsible for distribution of ISBNs within the country.  In order to receive an ISBN you need to:

1. Mail or fax an official letter stating your desire to receive ISBN(s) for your title(s).
2. In reply, you will receive an ISBN Request Form, which you need to complete and mail or fax back to KUP. Download ISBN Request form
3. After we receive the completed ISBN Request Form from you, we will send you an Invoice, requesting a fee payment for our services*. Download ISBN Request form
4. Within 2 business days, after you cover a service fee, you will receive a printout of the ISBN(s) in combination with the allocated publisher’s prefix.

How to register an ISBN in Azerbaijan?

After you receive and allocate an ISBN to your title you must register it.  In order to do so, you should complete and send to KUP an ISBN in Print Form, accompanied with three copies of each title where each ISBN is printed.  It is the responsibility of KUP to maintain and control a database of registered ISBNs in Azerbaijan. Collected information is regularly sent to an International ISBN Agency.

More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about ISBN:

What is an ISBN?

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally.

What is the purpose of an ISBN?

The purpose of the ISBN is to establish and identify one title or edition of a title from one specific publisher and is unique to that edition, allowing for more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors.

Why should I use an ISBN?

If you are a publisher or bookseller it may be in your own interest as you want to sell books. If your books cannot be ordered and distributed by ISBN and if they are not listed in Books in Print you may find that your books do not sell: People will assume your books do not exist, and if they know they may consider it too much of a bother to handle them in a traditional fashion.

In Azerbaijan the book-trade works mostly without computers.

You do not have to have computers to make use of ISBN. The 13 digit number saves you and other people the bother of copying bibliographic records. Also if you want to export your books, without ISBN they will not have a chance of being listed in Books in Print.

Azerbaijan still lacks an efficient infrastructure in the book-sector.

Then ISBN is an ideal means of building the infrastructure and catch up with other countries.

What is the format of an ISBN?

Every ISBN consists of 13 digits and whenever it is printed it is preceded by the letters ISBN. The 13 digit number is divided into 5 parts of variable length, each part separated by a hyphen or a space (e.g. ISBN 978-9952-39-447-4 or ISBN 978 9952 39 447 4

Does an ISBN have any meaning embedded in the numbers?

The five parts of an ISBN are as follows:

1. Kind of  product;
2. Group or country identifier which identifies a national or geographic grouping of publishers;
3. Publisher identifier which identifies a particular publisher within a group;
4. Title identifier which identifies a particular title or edition of a title;
5. Check digit is the single digit at the end of the ISBN, which validates the ISBN.

ISBN is assigned by National ISBN Agencies world-wide coordinated by the International ISBN Agency. Khazar University Press, as a National ISBN Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan is responsible for distributing ISBNs within the country.

Who is eligible for an ISBN?

National ISBN Agency assigns ISBNs at the direct request of publishers, audio cassette and video producers, software producers and museums and associations with publishing programs.

How much does it cost to get an ISBN?

There is a service fee to process all ISBN applications. Service fee information is contained on an ISBN Request Form.

How long does it take to receive an ISBN?

Allow 2 business days processing from the time an ISBN Request Form and service fee are received.

What do I do when I receive the ISBN and where is it printed?

An ISBN should be assigned to each title or product, including any backlist or forthcoming titles. Each format or binding must have a separate ISBN (i.e. hardcover, paperbound, VHS video, laserdisc, etc). A new ISBN is required for a revised edition. Once assigned, an ISBN can never be reused. An ISBN is printed on the verso of the title page (below the copyright line) and on the lower section of the outside back cover.  When printing an ISBN on the verso of the title page, please add above the ISBN line the words:

National ISBN Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Khazar University Press

41 Mehseti St., Baku Az1096

How & where do I register my ISBN?

Once ISBNs have been assigned to products they should be reported to Khazar University Press as the database of record for the ISBN Agency. Companies are eligible for a free listing in various directories to be published by Khazar University Press.

Does a new title require a new ISBN?

Yes, you need a new ISBN for a new title.

I am revising a book. Does it require a new ISBN?

A (substantial) change of text requires a new ISBN, and if revisions have been made the back of the title page should state that the book is a revised edition, and the new ISBN should be printed there.

Does a reprint without change of text, or binding require a new ISBN?

No. The original number must be retained.

I would like to issue a new ISBN for marketing reasons. Is this permissible?

No. There is no change of text, format or binding which would justify a new ISBN.

I am reprinting a book with a price change. Is a new ISBN required?

No. A price change does not require a new ISBN.

Do I need a new ISBN when I am reprinting a book with a new title?

Yes, a new title requires a new ISBN.

What happens if I have used all the numbers under my prefix?

An additional prefix can be assigned – allowing for a larger output if necessary. This is an additional prefix, and not a replacement.

Is it possible to reassign ISBNs when the books to which they were allocated are out of print?

No. An ISBN identifies a given title, and its edition and binding for all time. Even if out of print it will still exist in some shops, and will certainly still exist in libraries and catalogues.

I am publishing a work in several volumes. Will one ISBN suffice or will each volume need its own ISBN?

The rules state that the set should have an ISBN, and that each volume of the set should have its own, separate ISBN.

I am publishing a series of titles. Do I need an ISBN or an ISSN?

The series should receive an ISSN while the individual items receive ISBNs.

* Payment will be made by cash or bank transfer.

KHAZAR UNIVERSITY

ADDRESS: 41 MAHSATI STR. AZ1096,

BAKU, THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

PHONE: +99412 421-79-16, +99412 421-10-93, FAX: +99412 498-93-79 

E-MAIL: kup@khazar.org 

ACCOUNT No:380909440117417301

ITN 1300090601 

CORRESPONDING ACCOUNT IN THE SETTLEMENTS DEPARTMENT

OF THE CJS ”BANK STANDARD” CB:,

0137010003944, CODE:  508364

S.W.I.F.T. BIK:MOSZAZ-22

ITN 9900006801