---
title: "How to Get a USPS Bulk Mail Permit: Step-by-Step Guide"
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description: "A USPS bulk mail permit unlocks Marketing Mail rates for your campaigns. See the step-by-step process, permit types, and what to bring to the post office. Ca..."
keywords: "USPS bulk mail permit, Bulk Mail, Direct Mail Postage, Marketing Mail Permit, PS Form 3615, USPS Bulk Mail Permit"
language: "en"
categories:
  - "Direct Mail Marketing"
tags:
  - "Bulk Mail"
  - "Direct Mail Postage"
  - "Marketing Mail Permit"
  - "PS Form 3615"
  - "USPS Bulk Mail Permit"
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last_modified: "2026-10-22T08:22:43+00:00"
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---

# How to Get a USPS Bulk Mail Permit: Step-by-Step Guide

![Step-by-step guide to getting a USPS bulk mail permit](https://snappacksandletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/how-to-get-a-usps-bulk-mail-permit-step-by-step-guide-1024x538.webp)

**Key Takeaways**

- A USPS bulk mail permit is required to send Marketing Mail at bulk postage rates. You apply using PS Form 3615, the Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile, at a local Business Mail Entry Unit or Post Office.
- There are three permit types: permit imprint, precanceled stamps, and postage meter. Permit imprint is the most common for[ direct mail campaigns](https://snappacksandletters.com/) because no stamps need to be applied to individual pieces.
- You must mail at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds per drop to qualify for Marketing Mail rates. Your permit must remain active with at least one commercial mailing every two years.
- Nonprofits need both PS Form 3615 for the mailing permit and PS Form 3624 for nonprofit rate authorization. These are two separate applications.
- Businesses running campaigns through a full-service partner like Snap Packs & Letters can mail under our existing permit, which means you don’t need your own permit to get started with bulk mail rates today.

To get a USPS bulk mail permit, complete PS Form 3615 (Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile) and submit it at your local Business Mail Entry Unit or Post Office with two forms of identification. You pay a one-time permit imprint application fee and an annual mailing fee to keep the permit active. Your permit number is then required on every bulk mailing you submit. Alternatively, most businesses mail under their production partner’s existing permit without needing their own.

You want to mail 5,000 pieces at bulk rates. But before your first piece drops, you need a USPS bulk mail permit.

Most people doing this for the first time hit a wall here. The USPS process isn’t complicated, but it’s not obvious either. What forms do you fill out? Where do you go? What do you bring? What does the permit actually do once you have it?

These are the questions marketing directors and campaign managers across the United States ask before their first bulk campaign. Businesses in Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix, and hundreds of smaller markets go through this exact same process to access Marketing Mail rates and keep their postage budgets in check.

This article walks you through the complete permit process step by step. We’ll cover what a bulk mail permit actually is, the three permit types, how to apply, what nonprofits need to do differently, and the most important thing most guides don’t mention: you probably don’t need your own permit to start mailing at bulk rates today.

### What Is a USPS Bulk Mail Permit?
A USPS bulk mail permit is official authorization to mail at commercial postage rates using a specific payment method. According to the United States Postal Service, a mailing permit is “permission to use a certain postage payment method for commercial mailings.” Without a permit, you pay single-piece retail postage. With one, you access presorted Marketing Mail rates that typically run significantly below retail First-Class rates. The permit is tied to a specific post office where your mailing account is held, and it must stay active through regular use.

## What a Bulk Mail Permit Actually Does
A bulk mail permit does one specific thing: it gives you an account number that replaces stamps on your mail pieces and tells USPS how to charge you for postage.

When you drop a bulk mailing at a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU), USPS needs to verify that postage has been or will be paid at the correct rate. Your permit number is how that connection is made. The permit number appears on your mail pieces as an indicia, a printed box in the upper right corner that says something like “PRESORTED STANDARD / U.S. POSTAGE PAID / PERMIT NO. 123 / CITY, ST.” That replaces a stamp entirely.

Without a permit number, you can’t produce pieces with a permit imprint indicia. Without the indicia, your pieces can’t be processed as Marketing Mail. Without Marketing Mail processing, you pay retail postage, which is significantly higher per piece.

The permit also ties your postage payments to an advance deposit account. You fund this account before your mailing, and USPS deducts postage from it when your mailing is processed at the BMEU. It’s a pre-pay system. Your mailing won’t enter the mailstream until the account has sufficient funds to cover it.

For businesses in Atlanta, Denver, Houston, and every other market running[ direct mail campaigns](https://snappacksandletters.com/) at scale, the permit is the infrastructure that makes bulk postage rates accessible. But it’s worth knowing that most businesses don’t need to go through the permit process themselves to access those rates. We’ll cover that at the end.

## What does a USPS bulk mail permit number do?
A USPS bulk mail permit number is printed on each mail piece as an indicia that replaces stamps and identifies who is paying for postage. When a mailing is submitted at a Business Mail Entry Unit, USPS uses the permit number to verify the mailer’s account and deduct postage from the advance deposit account tied to that permit. The permit number is required on every piece in every bulk mailing submitted under that account.

## The Three Types of USPS Bulk Mail Permits
USPS offers three ways to pay postage on bulk mailings, and each one requires a different permit setup. The right one depends on your volume, your infrastructure, and how much manual work you want to take on.

### Permit Imprint (Most Common)
Permit imprint is the standard choice for businesses running[ direct mailing services](https://snappacksandletters.com/) at volume. The permit number is printed directly into the design of each mail piece as the indicia. No stamps are applied. No meter is used. Postage is paid from an advance deposit account when the mailing is submitted.

Permit imprint requires a one-time application fee to establish the account plus an annual mailing fee to keep it active. The indicia must include specific elements: the class of mail, the permit number, and the city and state where the permit is held.

### Precanceled Stamps
Precanceled stamps are discounted bulk rate stamps purchased from USPS and applied to each piece individually. There is no permit imprint application fee for this method, and the annual mailing fee is waived. But you have to apply every stamp by hand or by machine, which adds labor at scale. At thousands of pieces, this becomes a production bottleneck most businesses choose to avoid.

### Postage Meter
A postage meter prints a metered indicia directly on pieces or on adhesive strips. There is no fee to apply for authorization to use a postage meter for commercial mailings, but you pay an annual mailing fee. Meter authorization requires contacting the meter manufacturer for the correct class marking.

| **Permit Type** | **Application Fee** | **Annual Mailing Fee** | **Stamps Required** | **Best For** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit Imprint | One-time fee | Yes | No | High-volume ongoing campaigns |
| Precanceled Stamps | None | Waived | Yes (manual) | Lower-volume or occasional mailings |
| Postage Meter | None | Yes | No | Businesses with existing meter equipment |

For most businesses running[ bulk letter mailing](https://snappacksandletters.com/letter-printing-mailing/) campaigns with thousands of pieces per drop, permit imprint is the right choice because it eliminates manual stamp application entirely and integrates cleanly with production systems.

| **Free Campaign Planning Call**  Not sure which permit type fits your situation? Or whether you need a permit at all? Our team at Snap Packs & Letters has helped businesses across the country get their first bulk campaigns running for over 25 years.  **[Call 1-866-508-5035 for a free consultation.](https://snappacksandletters.com/contact/)**** |
|---|

## What You Need Before You Apply
Before you walk into a Business Mail Entry Unit, have these items ready.

### Two forms of acceptable identification
USPS requires two forms of ID at application. At least one must contain a photograph. A driver’s license plus a passport or state-issued photo ID is the most common combination used by business applicants across the Southeast, Midwest, and West Coast.

### PS Form 3615 completed
PS Form 3615 is the Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile. It requires:

- Business or organization name
- Business address
- Contact person name and phone number
- The post office where you want the permit held
- Which permit type you’re applying for (permit imprint, precanceled stamps, or meter)
- Which mail class you intend to use (Marketing Mail, First-Class, or both)

Download PS Form 3615 from usps.com or pick up a copy at your local Business Mail Entry Unit or Post Office. The form itself is straightforward. The most common mistake is leaving the mail class field blank, which is the top cause of slow permit approvals according to USPS processing guidance.

### Know which BMEU will hold your permit
Your permit is tied to the post office where you submit your application. This matters because the annual mailing fee must be paid at every Post Office or BMEU where you want to enter and pay for commercial mail. If you plan to drop mailings at multiple USPS facilities, you need an active permit account at each location. Most businesses that use a single production partner for all their[ direct mail marketing services](https://snappacksandletters.com/) only need one permit location.

### Funds for the advance deposit account
You don’t have to fund your advance deposit account the day you apply. You can wait until your first mailing. But the account must have enough funds to cover the full postage for every mailing before USPS will process it. Plan for this before your first campaign drop.

## How to Apply for a USPS Bulk Mail Permit: Step by Step
Here is the complete process from start to your first bulk mailing.

1. **Download PS Form 3615 from usps.com.** Fill it out completely. Include your business name, address, permit type, and mail class. Do not leave mail class blank.
2. **Locate your nearest Business Mail Entry Unit.** Use the facility search at usps.com to find the BMEU that handles your area. This is where you submit your application and where your permit account will be held. Call ahead to confirm hours and confirm they process permit applications.
3. **Bring your completed PS Form 3615 and two forms of ID.** At least one must be a photo ID. The BMEU clerk will review your form, verify your identification, and process the application.
4. **Pay the permit fees.** For permit imprint, pay the one-time permit imprint application fee at submission. The annual mailing fee can be paid at the same time or when you submit your first mailing. Checks must be made payable to the US Postal Service or Postmaster. Cash is also accepted.
5. **Receive your permit number.** USPS issues your permit number at the time of application. You receive a receipt, which is a perforated stub from PS Form 3615, with your permit number, the date, and account information. Save this. Your permit number goes on every bulk piece you mail.
6. **Fund your advance deposit account.** Deposit postage funds into your permit imprint account. You can do this when you apply or when you bring in your first mailing. The account must be funded before USPS will process any mailing.
7. **Build your permit imprint indicia into your mail piece design.** The indicia must include the class of mail (PRESORTED STANDARD for Marketing Mail), your permit number, and the city and state where the permit is held. This indicia replaces stamps on every piece in your mailing.
8. **Submit your first mailing at the BMEU.** Bring your presorted, bundled pieces along with the required USPS postage statement paperwork. The BMEU clerk will verify the mailing meets Marketing Mail specifications, check your account balance, and process the postage deduction.

Total time from submitting PS Form 3615 to permit number in hand is typically the same day for in-person applications at a functioning BMEU.

### How long does it take to get a USPS bulk mail permit?
A USPS bulk mail permit is typically issued the same day for in-person applications at a Business Mail Entry Unit or Post Office. You submit PS Form 3615, pay the applicable fees, and receive your permit number before you leave. Online applications through the USPS Business Customer Gateway at gateway.usps.com may take additional processing time. The permit number is required on every piece before you can submit a Marketing Mail mailing, so in-person application is the fastest path for businesses preparing for an upcoming campaign.

## How to Keep Your Permit Active
![Checklist for keeping a USPS bulk mail permit active](https://snappacksandletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/how-to-keep-your-permit-active.webp)
Getting the permit is the start. Keeping it active matters just as much.

### Annual mailing fee
For permit imprint accounts, you pay an annual mailing fee to keep the permit active for each location where you mail. This is due each year. Missing it can suspend your permit. If your permit lapses and goes inactive, you’ll need to pay the application fee again to reactivate it.

### Mail at least once every two years
USPS requires at least one commercial mailing from your permit account every two years to keep it active. A permit account with no activity for two years becomes inactive. Businesses in Texas, Florida, Ohio, and other markets that run seasonal or occasional campaigns need to track this carefully to avoid reactivation fees.

### Maintain a funded advance deposit account
Your account needs funds before every mailing. There’s no minimum balance requirement between mailings, but the account must be positive before USPS will process any submission. Letting the account run to zero is fine between campaigns. Just top it up before your next drop.

### Keep your contact information current
USPS ties permit correspondence to the contact on your PS Form 3615. If your business address or contact person changes, update your account at the BMEU that holds your permit to avoid missing renewal notices or fee statements.

| **Also Worth Knowing**  Running your[ snap pack mailer](https://snappacksandletters.com/snap-pack-mailers/) campaigns through Snap Packs & Letters means we handle all postage account management, BMEU submission, and presort documentation. You never need to interact with a postage account or BMEU yourself.  **[See how our full-service process works.](https://snappacksandletters.com/contact/)**** |
|---|

## Nonprofit Bulk Mail Permits: What’s Different
Nonprofits get access to significantly reduced Marketing Mail rates. But the process has an extra step that commercial mailers don’t face.

### Two separate applications are required
Nonprofits need two things: a standard mailing permit (PS Form 3615) and a separate nonprofit rate authorization (PS Form 3624, Application to Mail at Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail Prices).

The mailing permit establishes your account. The nonprofit authorization is what actually unlocks the lower nonprofit rate. You cannot get the nonprofit rate with just PS Form 3615 alone. Both must be on file at the BMEU where you induct mail.

### PS Form 3624 requirements
PS Form 3624 asks for the organization’s nonprofit status category. USPS approves nonprofit rates for religious, scientific, veterans, philanthropic, labor, educational, agricultural, fraternal, national and state political parties, and voter registration organizations. You must select only one qualifying category on the form.

Supporting documentation is required with PS Form 3624. This typically includes formative papers such as articles of incorporation, constitution, or charter, plus evidence of IRS recognition of exempt status.

There is no fee to apply for nonprofit status under PS Form 3624. But you still pay annual mailing fees and, if using permit imprint, the one-time permit imprint application fee.

### Timing note
Until USPS approves your nonprofit application, you must pay postage at standard commercial Marketing Mail rates. Once approved, you can request a refund of the rate difference on postage paid between your application date and approval. Keep your receipts.

### Maintain activity
Nonprofit authorization can be revoked if no qualifying nonprofit mailing is submitted for two consecutive years. Nonprofits running[ letter printing and mailing](https://snappacksandletters.com/letter-printing-mailing/) campaigns through a production partner should confirm their authorization is current before each campaign season.

### What form do nonprofits use to get bulk mail rates?
Nonprofits need two forms to get USPS bulk mail rates. First, PS Form 3615 (Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile) establishes the mailing permit at a USPS Business Mail Entry Unit. Second, PS Form 3624 (Application to Mail at Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail Prices) applies for nonprofit rate authorization. Both must be on file at the entry unit where mail is dropped. There is no fee to apply for nonprofit status through PS Form 3624, but a mailing permit application fee and annual mailing fees still apply depending on the permit type chosen.

## Do You Actually Need Your Own Permit?
Here’s what most guides on this topic leave out: most businesses mailing with a production partner don’t need to apply for their own permit at all.

At Snap Packs & Letters, we hold active USPS bulk mail permits at our production facility. When we produce and mail your campaign, your pieces enter the USPS mailstream under our permit number. You get Marketing Mail rates without ever filling out PS Form 3615 or setting up an advance deposit account.

This is the standard arrangement for businesses that work with a full-service[ direct mail agency](https://snappacksandletters.com/) rather than mailing in-house. It’s simpler, faster to get started, and eliminates the ongoing administrative work of maintaining a permit account.

**When you would need your own permit:**

- You run an in-house mailing operation and drop mail directly at a BMEU yourself
- Your organization requires its own permit for compliance, audit, or brand reasons
- You use multiple print vendors and want your permit number to appear consistently across all of them
- You’re a nonprofit and need your nonprofit authorization number specifically tied to your organization

**When you don’t need your own permit:**

- You work with a full-service production and mailing partner
- You want to get your first campaigns running without the administrative setup
- Your volumes make outsourced production more economical than in-house mailing

If you’re unsure which situation applies to you, call us. We’ll tell you honestly whether setting up your own permit makes sense for how you’re planning to run your campaigns.

## Conclusion
Getting a USPS bulk mail permit is a straightforward process once you know what you’re doing. Fill out PS Form 3615, go to your Business Mail Entry Unit, show identification, pay the applicable fees, and walk out with a permit number the same day. That number goes on every bulk piece you mail and connects your campaigns to Marketing Mail rates that keep postage budgets manageable at scale.

But before you drive to the post office, ask yourself whether you actually need your own permit. If you’re working with a full-service[ direct mailing service](https://snappacksandletters.com/) that manages production and USPS submission on your behalf, you can access bulk rates under their permit immediately, no form, no fees, no account maintenance required.

At Snap Packs & Letters, we’ve been running[ snap pack campaigns](https://snappacksandletters.com/snap-pack-mailers/),[ letter mail programs](https://snappacksandletters.com/letter-printing-mailing/), and full-service direct mail for businesses across the United States for over 25 years. Every campaign we run enters the USPS under our existing permit at presorted Marketing Mail rates. You get the postage savings without the administrative setup.

Ready to run your first bulk campaign? Call us at [1-866-508-5035](tel:18665085035) or[ request a free consultation today.](https://snappacksandletters.com/contact/) We’ll tell you whether your situation calls for your own permit or whether we can get you mailing at bulk rates this week.

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