Over 18: A government-issued photo ID (i.e. Driver's License, Passport, etc.).

There will be roving cameras interviewing contestants, their families and supporters inside and outside the audition venues, so dress to impress for your NBC prime-time debut. If possible, you should arrive in the outfit or costume you plan to wear for your audition.

If you are selected to move on in the competition, you will be asked to wear the same outfit for our celebrity judges.

DO NOT wear LOGOs of any kind, including sports teams, designer names, or company logos. Contestants, friends and family members wearing logos will be asked to cover or remove the articles of clothing.

As part of the show, we will shoot several group shots with everyone, including a welcome to each city, so be prepared to spend some time outside. We suggest you wear layers should the weather be cold, but please, when possible, try not to wear big coats, scarves and hats because they tend to cover your face. Favor brighter colors over drab dark colors and ask your family and friends to do the same. This is your chance to stand out.

We send out confirmation letters about a week or two before the auditions.  Check the city web page for the latest status of the confirmation letters. 

Sometimes our emails are mistakenly marked as spam by your internet service provider, mail server, or email software. 

Most junk mail filters will let emails through that have been manually placed by you in your email system's address book.  In order to make sure you get our emails go to the address book in your email program and add "America's Got Talent" with the email address of  "AmericasGotTalent@fremantlemedia.com."

If you're working with Outlook, Window's Mail, Mac Mail, or any similar email application and if you find America's Got Talent emails in your Junk Mail folder, you should have the ability to right-click on it's line in the list, and select the email as 'Not Junk'. You'll then have the opportunity to add the sender or the address they sent from to a "safe" list so that they'll not be marked as junk in the future.

In some online applications such as Gmail, AOL and Yahoo, the folder is called 'Spam' and all you have to do is go to this folder, check the box next to the email that's going to the Spam folder and click on the "Not Spam" button.

Our emails will always come from the following email address: americasgottalent@fremantlemedia.com.

If you don't get an email from us, you can always just show up to the venue.  The address is on each city's page. Our auditions are open to the public and are "first come/first serve." You will be seen in the order you arrive.  Typically, registration opens by 8am and continues until 7pm each day.

ALL contestants must be able to prove BEFORE they can audition that they are either a US citizen, legal permanent resident of the US or possess a current legal visa allowing you to seek employment freely in the US (not merely a visa that allows you to work for one particular employer). Bring your proving documentation with you (i.e. driver's license, passport, etc.).

Contestants under 18 must have permission from their parents or legal guardian to audition and must be accompanied by one of their parents or their legal guardian.

All minors attending the audition will be required to present a photo ID. Minor contestants may use a school ID or acceptable substitute (such as a yearbook page that includes a printed name with a photo AND a birth certificate). If the contestant is too young to have a photo ID, the parent or guardian should present a photo ID & the child’s birth certificate that includes the parents name with the child’s name on the certificate.

EVERYONE under the age of 18 must have permission from their parents or legal guardian to be at the auditions AND must be accompanied by one parent or guardian. If the parents or legal guardian is unable to attend, and is allowing the minor to attend the audition under the supervision of a third-party (such as a coach), you must do two things:

1. Download and complete the Guardianship and Medical Authorization for Minors form from the "paperwork" section of AGTauditions.com and get it NOTARIZED by a notary public (typically at banks or mailing stores, or search your local directory) and bring it with you on the day of your audition.
2. The parent or guardian must designate the third-party specifically on the Personal Release with a special signature by the parents or legal guardian and the third-party (its the latest of the Personal Release).

America's Got Talent producers travels the country holding open auditions.  Here's a list of the cities we will be going to this year.

However local NBC stations around the country will be holding their own auditions and contests.  While the America's Got Talent producers will not be running these events and they do not have a direct connection to our show, the TV stations will send us video of acts that perform.  We still encourage you to come meet us or send in a video of your act.

The station's dates and events are subject to change and are operated at their sole discretion. You should check their web sites for the latest information about their events.

The list of prohibited items below is not exhaustive and even if an item is not listed below, the producers and security reserve the right to ask you to remove any such item from the venue.

People in possession of prohibited items will be denied admission to the line and to the venue and may be subject to immediate disqualification. All bags are subject to search:

• Coolers of any kind unless for medical reasons
• Fireworks
• Props that must be used with fire or pyro
• Video cameras or camcorders of any kind
• Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives, “army knives” or Swiss Army-type knives and all swords)
• Illicit drugs or alcohol
• Cameras

We are sorry, but during this first round of auditions we cannot have fire, swords, or other sharp objects at this venue. If you have prop swords, knifes, or other props that appear dangerous but are not, please alert the staff and we will try to accommodate you. Please bring a DVD of your act if your act does include these elements. If you are chosen to go to the second round you will be able to use your props and/or pyro if approved in advance by Producers.

We usually hold open auditions for two days in each city. If you received a confirmation letter for one day and you want to come the other day, that is fine.  Just come the day that works best for you. 

We assign acts to certain days to try to manage the amount of people coming each day,  but first and foremost we just want to see your talent.  Our auditions are open to the public and are "first come/first serve" and you will be seen in the order you arrive.  Typically registration opens by 8 am and continues until 7 pm each day.

We understand that not everyone can take time away from their jobs and lives to join us for the day of auditions, but we highly encourage everyone to come.

Please alert the producers that there would be additional members of your act should you move on to the next round. 

If you are missing key members of your act, we encourage you to bring a DVD of your whole group performing.

Each season you must resubmit your video or audition in a city to be considered for the show.  

If your act uses music (singer, dancer, band, group, musician, variety performer, etc.), we advise you to pick music that is very well known.  Generally the judges and audience respond better to music they know.

Even the Rolling Stones open their shows with a old classic and not their new material.

However, each act on our show is unique and different and the final decision is up to you.

You may change your audition city by re-registering here and choosing your new desired audition city. 

You may continue to get email confirmations from both cities until we can switch you out on our database.

Yes.  Just come on the date or time that works for you.

Chances are you mistakenly pre-registered online for your audition more than once, so you appear twice in our database.

Just come to the time and day that best works for you.  The auditions are open to the public and are "first come/first serve". On site registration starts by 8am and closes at 7pm.

Yes.  You can send in a video and appear in person at one of our city auditions.

Generally, singers are asked to sing their one song a capella (without a backing track). We have found that backing tracks overpower vocals and hinder your audition instead of helping it.

However, you may use a backing track if you sing and dance at the same time. In addition, rappers can use their own beats. Otherwise, it is up to the Producer’s discretion if and when a track is permitted. Playing an instrument (for example a piano, guitar, etc.) while singing is always allowed.

You have UP TO 90 seconds for your audition, so you do not need to start your song at the beginning. Please pick a section of the song that best shows off your voice.

Due to the amount of time it takes to set up a drum kit, we have found that a DVD of your drumming or band's performance works much better for you and us. A DVD will allow you the time at home to tune and adjust your levels and will give us a more accurate representation of your talent than you would get in our audition room where no sound checks are allowed.  The DVD does not have to be of professional quality. It can be as simple as your friend taping you at home or a prior show at which you have performed.  

If you would still like to play something "live" in the audition room, you may bring a portion of the drum kit (ex. a snare and hi-hat) so that you are able to literally ‘walk in and play'. Due to the amount of auditions we need to conduct, NO SET UP TIME WILL BE ALLOWED!  We have had some acts bring in a drum kit on a 4x4 dolly, but again you need to be able to roll it into the audition room in one trip.

Should you move on to the next round, you will be able to use a drum kit provided by the show. 

Please come to the audition dressed in your normal performance costume or wardrobe and bring a DVD of your act. We will watch up to 90 seconds of the DVD and that will be submitted as your audition.

Yes. If you have an animal act -- please go to the “paperwork” section of our web site and fill out the animal questionnaire.

We are sorry, but during this first round of auditions we cannot have fire, swords, or other sharp objects at this venue.  If you have prop swords, knifes, or other props that appear dangerous but are not, please alert the staff and we will try to accommodate you. Also, there will not be rigging for aerial acts. However, if you are chosen to go to the second round, you will be able to use your props, fire and have the option of rigging if approved in advance by producers.  Please bring a DVD of your act if your act does include these elements and the producers will watch it.

If you pre-register with us online, we make every effort to ensure that we see your talent.  If our records indicate you missed your audition, we will try to contact you via email or phone to let you know about other cities where we are holding auditions.  Occasionally the records may not match up right. There maybe a typo in the record, for instance, or you used a different email address to pre-register than what you provided us the day you had your audition.

IF YOU ALREADY HAD A FIRST ROUND AUDITION, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO AUDITION AGAIN UNLESS YOU ARE MOVING ON IN THE COMPETITION. IF YOU ARE MOVING ON, WE WILL BE VERY CLEAR THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO MOVE TO THE NEXT ROUND.

PLEASE DISREGARD ANY EMAILS OR PHONE CALLS INVITING YOU TO ANOTHER CITY, IF YOU ALREADY AUDITIONED. 

If you have any questions about this, please email us.

Yes. Our auditions are open to anyone, any age and any talent so long as the person meets our eligibility requirements. However, we strongly suggest you pre-register for your audition.

By pre-registering you'll be prepared with all the available forms and paperwork and latest information and we think your day will go much smoother.

Make sure you download and fill out the paperwork and have the proper identification.

Here's a posting that will take you through what your day will be like.

We never know how many people will show up.  But these auditions are open to the public.  The lines may be long. We need to get some shots of everyone for the show. Your best bet is to expect to be with us the whole day.

Please read this article to give you a better idea of your day with us.

You will be given up to 90 seconds to audition. Please keep in mind that this is YOUR opportunity to show us your talent, so please come prepared. Practice your audition ahead of time so we see the best and most exciting parts of your performance. Producers reserve the right to modify allotted times for auditions at their sole discretion.

The lines may be long. You may be asked to do interviews or other shots for the show. This could be a full day commitment and you may be outside waiting for part of the time, therefore you should dress accordingly. You are free to bring drinks or food.

Unless otherwise noted on the individual city's page, you may line up starting at 6 am the day of the auditions.

No. The audition rooms will be small.  Singers will generally be asked to sing acapella.

There will be a microphone available in one audition room for beatboxers and singers who are also playing the piano.  The wait for this room could be longer.

Yes. We encourage you to bring as many people as you would like! We encourage them to bring signs and banners to support you.

When it is time for your audition, minors will be allowed to have one parent or guardian join them in the audition room.

However supporters who are 18 and older will not be allowed in the audition room unless they are part of your act or helping load equipment.  All of your supporters will remain in the holding area and you will be able to meet up with them when your audition is over.

Whether you are a contestant, friend, or family member EVERYONE will be required to present a photo ID in order to enter the audition venue. 

Minors CONTESTANTS AND GUESTS without a driver's license may use a school ID
or acceptable substitute (such as a yearbook page that includes a printed name with photo
AND a birth certificate matching the name).  If the minor is too young to have any form
of photo ID, then that minor's parent or guardian should present a photo ID and the
child's birth certificate that includes the parent's name with the child's name on the
certificate.  For the complete minor information CLICK HERE.

As a friend or family you will also have to sign a personal release.  CLICK HERE to download a copy to bring with you to the audition.

EVERYONE under the age of 18 must have permission from their parents or 
legal guardian to be at the auditions AND must be accompanied by one parent or 
guardian.  If the parents or legal guardian is unable to attend and is allowing the minor to 
attend the audition under the supervision of a third-party (such as a coach), you must do 
two things:  
 
1) Download and complete the Guardianship and Medical Authorization for Minors form 
from the "paperwork" section of AGTauditions.com and get it NOTARIZED by a notary 
public (typically at banks or mailing stores, or search your local directory) and bring it 
with you on the day of your audition.  
 
2) The parent or guardian must designate the third-party specifically on the Personal 
Release, with a special signature by the parents or legal guardian and the third-party (see 
page 4 of the Personal Release).

Yes. You will be allowed to perform at your audition with your musical instrument, but you WILL NOT be allowed to plug any instrument in, so MAKE SURE IT'S ACOUSTIC or is portable and has a self-contained amplifier.

For those needing a keyboard, we will make reasonable efforts to provide one for you in the audition room (Usually a Yamaha Motif-8 keyboard).

If you are in a band and have multiple and/or non-acoustic instruments, we advise you to come to the audition with all members of the band and bring a DVD for producers to watch in the audition room.

Due to time constraints in this initial phase of the audition process, we only allow for limited acoustic set ups.  This means you must hand-carry your instruments into the audition room in one trip.  If your band does not typically play acoustically, we ask you to come to your audition dressed in your normal performance costume or wardrobe, and to bring a DVD of your act. We will watch up to 90 seconds of the DVD.

You can also submit a video online of your act to the program.

Bring your own non-electric instruments. For those needing a keyboard, we will make reasonable efforts to provide one for you in the audition room (Usually a Yamaha Motif-8 keyboard).

Everyone should show up for the audition on the scheduled day no later than the time instructed by the Producer. If you are late, you may not have a chance to audition. However, these are open auditions so, as long as you come by 7pm, we will make every attempt to see you.  Audition start and/or finish time is at the discretion of the Producers. Auditions are "first come/first serve".  

No, you will not find out if you make it to the next round the day you audition. Those acts moving on in the competition will be notified by around mid-April 2011.

Since the answer to this depends on when, where and how you auditioned, the best answer is: Once you are selected to be on the show, the producers will go through all the dates and details with you.

If you have sent in a tape you do not have to audition in person.  

However, we still encourage people to attend the in-person audition if their schedule allows. It can be helpful for the producers to meet you in person. If you are planning on attending an open audition. feel free to also                         send us a video. That way the producers can become familiar with your act before we see you.

Due to the large volume of submissions, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of individual videos that were submitted to the show.
 
Every tape received is reviewed, but only if you have been selected to participate in the show will a producer call you to schedule your appearance for the next round of the competition.

The next round will involve you auditioning in front of our celebrity judges. The show will be taped in a local theater in front of a live audience and we will let you know the date as far in advance as possible.

In Spring 2011 we return to certain cities with Nick and the judges to film the auditions. You can get free tickets to be in the audience.  Come join Nick Cannon, Sharon Osborne, Piers Morgan, and Howie Mandel, and be the fourth judge. When we have the dates we will post them on this site.

If you've read through the FAQ and you still have questions, feel free to email us at americasgottalent@fremantlemedia.com

or click here