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Office of Research Services

Serving the NIH Community

NIH Permit Imprint Mail

​​​A mailer may be authorized to mail material without affixing postage if payment is made at the time of mailing by submitting a Postal Service (PS) form 3615 and the appropriate PS form (i.e., 3600-R, 3605-R, etc.) at the time of mailing. RE: DMM P040.1.1

NIH Institutes and Centers, and/or contractors depositing mail at post offices for the first time must present the PS form 3615 (Mailing Permit Application and Customer Profile). This is a "one time" requirement only.

  • The use of NIH Permit Imprint numbers for any purpose other than official government mail is prohibited.
  • Permission to use permit imprint numbers must be given to contractors performing mail services for NIH Institutes and Centers.
  • Permit imprints may be printed directly on mail pieces, on labels permanently affixed to mail pieces, or on mail piece wrappers, envelopes, and other containers.
  • Permit imprint mailings must contain at least 200 pieces or a combined weight of 50 pounds or more, except if it is the completion of a large mailing extending over 2 or more consecutive days and the mailer includes an explanation on the accompanying postage statement.
  • All pieces in a permit imprint mailing must be of identical weight unless otherwise specifically authorized by USPS.
  • All permit imprint mailing must be faced (i.e., have the address facing in the same direction) and meet the preparation standards for the rate claimed and must be deposited and accepted at the post office that issued the permit.
  • All mail pieces bearing NIH permit imprint numbers must have an NIH return address on each piece deposited at the post office.​
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​​​​​Contact the Mail Customer Service Branch for information regarding permit imprint mailings during the design stage and/or prior to depositing mail at the post office.​​​


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