PS Form 3624 at a glance
What it is: PS Form 3624 is the Application to Mail at Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail Prices.
Who signs: The application must be signed by someone in authority in the organization, such as the president or treasurer. It must not be signed by a printer or mailing agent.
Only organizations may apply. Individuals may not apply (except voting registration officials).
The Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail prices may be granted only to the eight categories (01 through 08) of nonprofit organizations specified in section A, item 9, to qualified political committees (category 09), and to voting registration officials (category 10).
To qualify, a nonprofit organization must be both organized and operated for a primary purpose that is consistent with one of the types of organizations in DMM 703.1. Organizations that incidentally engage in qualifying activities do not qualify for the Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail prices.
What to bring and attach to PS Form 3624
Evidence that the organization is nonprofit and that none of its net income inures to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual. Acceptable evidence includes: An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) letter of exemption from payment of federal income tax. If an IRS exemption letter is not available, a complete financial statement from an independent auditor (such as a certified public accountant) substantiating that the organization is nonprofit.
A statement from a member of the organization is not sufficient.
Documents describing the organization's primary purpose, such as: Organizing instruments that state the purpose for which the group is organized, such as the constitution, articles of incorporation, articles of association, or trust indenture.
The organizing instrument, including all amendments to the original, should bear the seal, certification, or signature of the Secretary of State or other appropriate state official.
If one or more of these documents are not sealed, certified, or signed by state officials, an officer or other person authorized to sign for the applicant should submit a written declaration certifying that the documents are complete and accurate copies of the originals. Materials showing how the organization actually operated during the previous 6 to 12 months and how it will operate in the future.
The name on all the documents presented as evidence must match the name on the application. If they do not match, please explain.
A filled-in PS Form 3624 example: an educational society applies
How to fill out PS Form 3624, box by box
Name of Organization, address and Name of Applicant
The complete name of the organization must be shown in item 1. The name shown must agree with the name that appears on all documents submitted to support this application.
A complete address representing a physical location for the organization must be shown in item 2. If you receive mail through a Post Office box, show your street address first and use alternate address for the box.
Enter the Street Address of Organization (Include apartment or suite number) and the City, State, ZIP+4® Code.
Enter the Alternate Mailing Address and the Alternate City, State, ZIP+4® Code.
Enter the Telephone (Include area code) and the Name of Applicant (Must represent applying organization).
Enter the Email Address.
Type of Organization
Check the Type of Organization (Check only one).
(01) Religious, (02) Educational, (03) Scientific, (04) Philanthropic, (05) Agricultural, (06) Labor, (07) Veterans, (08) Fraternal, (09) Qualified political committee (Go to item 12) and (10) Voting registration official (Go to item 12).
Only the one category in item 9 that best describes the primary purpose of the organization may be checked.
No additional organization categories may be added in item 9. To be eligible for the Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail prices, the organization must qualify as one of the types listed.
For-profit, exempt, previously mailed, denied or revoked
Is this a for-profit organization or does any of the net income inure to the benefit of any private stockholder or individual?
Is this organization exempt from federal income tax? If Yes, attach a copy of the exemption issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that shows the section of the IRS code under which the organization is exempt. Required if exempt. Do not submit State tax exemption information.
Has this organization previously mailed at the Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail prices? Yes or No. If Yes, list the Post Office locations where mailings were most recently deposited at these prices and provide the nonprofit authorization number, if known.
Has your organization had Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail privileges denied or revoked? If Yes, list the Post Office (city and state) where the application was denied or authorization was revoked and provide the nonprofit authorization number, if known.
Has the IRS denied or revoked the organization's federal tax exempt status? If Yes, attach a copy of the IRS ruling to this PS Form 3624.
Section of the IRS code and Post Office
From your IRS exemption letter, check off the box corresponding to the section under which the organization is exempt:
The boxes are 501(c)(3), 501(c)(5), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(19) and Other 501(c) ( ) (See statement in item 9 above).
Enter the Post Office (not a station or branch) where authorization requested and bulk mailings will be made (City, state, ZIP Code).
The application must be submitted to the Post Office in item 14 and on the date shown in item 17.
Signature of Applicant, Title and Date
The applicant must sign the application in item 15.
Sign as the Signature of Applicant, then enter the Title and the Date.
By signing you certify that the statements made by you are true and complete.
If the application is approved, a postage refund for the difference between the regular USPS Marketing Mail and Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail prices may be made for only mailings entered at regular USPS Marketing Mail prices at the Post Office identified in the application while this application is pending, provided that the conditions set forth in Domestic Mail Manual 703.1 and 703.1.9 are met.
More rules for PS Form 3624
The documents listed in 1 and 2 must be submitted with the completed applications for nonprofit organizations. The documents listed in 3 must be submitted for qualified political committees and, in 4, for voting registration officials.
If your situation is different
The organization is a qualified political committee or a voting registration official
For qualified political committees (category 09), organizational or other documents substantiating that the applicant is the state or national committee of the political party.
For voting registration officials (category 10), a copy of the statute, ordinance, or other authority establishing responsibility for voter registration.
Common questions about PS Form 3624
Who signs it?
The applicant named in item 7 must be the individual submitting the application for the organization and must be a responsible official of the organization. Printers and mailing agents may not sign for the organization.
Where do I file it?
The completed PS Form 3624 must be submitted to the Post Office where Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail mailings will be deposited. If the application is approved, the authorization will apply nationwide.
Are there fees?
No application fee is required.
Is there a penalty?
I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties).
When is this form not the right one?
Not all nonprofit organizations are eligible for the Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail prices. Domestic Mail Manual 703.1 lists certain organizations (such as business leagues, chambers of commerce, civic improvement associations, social and hobby clubs, governmental bodies, and others) that, although nonprofit, do not qualify for the Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail prices.
Sources
[1] PS Form 3624 (January 2017), Application to Mail at Nonprofit USPS Marketing Mail Prices, United States Postal Service (the Official source link on this page).
