Title 39, Postal ServiceRelease 119-110

§3685 Filing of Information Relating to Periodical Publications

Title 39 › PART IV — MAIL MATTER › CHAPTER 36 — POSTAL RATES, CLASSES, AND SERVICES › SUBCHAPTER VI — GENERAL › § 3685

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Owners of periodicals with special mail privileges must give the Postal Service information at least once a year and must print that information in the publication once a year. The information must say who runs and owns the publication, corporate owners and stockholders if applicable, known bondholders or mortgagees, circulation details (how many copies, how they are distributed, and how much is paid), and any other facts the Postal Service needs. The Postal Service cannot require names of people owning under 1 percent of the securities. Publishers must also provide more information when the Postal Service asks to prove they still qualify. The Postal Service will make rules and can suspend or cancel mail privileges if a publisher fails to provide the required information.

Full Legal Text

Title 39, §3685

Postal Service, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Each owner of a publication having periodical publication mail privileges shall furnish to the Postal Service at least once a year, and shall publish in such publication once a year, information in such form and detail and at such time as the Postal Service may require with respect to—
(1)the identity of the editor, managing editor, publishers, and owners;
(2)the identity of the corporation and stockholders thereof, if the publication is owned by a corporation;
(3)the identity of known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders;
(4)the extent and nature of the circulation of the publication, including, but not limited to, the number of copies distributed, the methods of distribution, and the extent to which such circulation is paid in whole or in part; and
(5)such other information as the Postal Service may deem necessary to determine whether the publication meets the standards for periodical publication mail privileges.
The Postal Service shall not require the names of persons owning less than 1 percent of the total amount of stocks, bonds, mortgages, or other securities.
(b)Each publication having such mail privileges shall furnish to the Postal Service information in such form and detail, and at such times, as the Postal Service requires to determine whether the publication continues to qualify for such privileges.
(c)The Postal Service shall make appropriate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this section, including provision for suspension or revocation of periodical publication mail privileges for failure to furnish the required information.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 20, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–10 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

39 U.S.C. § 3685

Title 39, Postal Service

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110