USPS Form PS 3526 (2014)

Secure Your Periodicals Mailing Rates Before October 1st.

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What is USPS Form PS 3526?

Form PS 3526, officially known as the Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation, is a mandatory annual filing for publishers of magazines, newspapers, and newsletters who hold Periodicals mailing privileges with the U.S. Postal Service.

The USPS uses this form to verify that your publication still meets the strict circulation requirements (such as having a legitimate list of paying subscribers or requesters) to qualify for heavily discounted postage rates.

Critical Deadline: October 1st

You must file this form with your original entry post office on or before October 1st every year. Failure to file can result in the suspension or complete revocation of your Periodicals authorization, instantly increasing your mailing costs.

What You'll Need to Complete PS 3526

Gather these details before you begin to breeze through the form:

✓ Your USPS Publication Number

✓ Names and addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Owners

✓ Total print run numbers for the past 12 months

✓ Paid/Requested mail subscriptions (In-county & Outside-county)

✓ Free distribution numbers (mail and non-mail)

✓ Data for the single issue published nearest to filing date

How to File Your Form in 4 Easy Steps

Open the Form

Click our secure link to launch the digital PS 3526 interface right in your browser. No software required.

Fill Fields Easily

Follow our guided prompts. We make entering complex circulation math and ownership percentages simple.

Review & Sign

Verify your data layout. Add your digital signature or print to sign physically as the Publisher or Owner.

Download PDF

Instantly download your perfectly formatted, USPS-compliant PDF ready for submission and publication.

Start Filling Form PS 3526

Detailed Walkthrough: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Part 1: General Publication Info

This section establishes your identity with the Post Office. You'll need to list the publication title, USPS number, filing date, and frequency. You must also disclose all owners holding 1% or more of total stock.

Pro Tip: If your publication is owned by a corporation, you must list the corporation's name AND the names/addresses of all individual stockholders owning 1% or more.

Part 2: Circulation Data (Line 15)

This is where most errors occur. You must provide two sets of numbers: the average for the preceding 12 months, and the exact numbers for the single issue published nearest to your filing date.

15b (Paid Distribution): Includes outside-county, in-county, and single copy sales.
15d (Free Distribution): Copies given away as samples or promotions.
15h (Copies not Distributed): Office copies, spoiled copies, or newsstand returns.

Warning: Line 15f (Total Distribution) plus Line 15h (Copies not Distributed) MUST equal Line 15a (Total Number of Copies). Math errors here will cause the USPS to reject your form.

Part 3: Statement of Ownership Publication

General publications must print a copy of this completed form in their publication. You must state in which issue this statement will be printed (usually the October or November issue). If you are a requester publication, you use PS 3526-R instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file PS 3526 online?

You can prepare and fill out the form online using our platform to ensure accuracy and generate a compliant PDF. However, the USPS currently requires you to submit the physical, signed copy to the Postmaster at your original entry post office.

What happens if I miss the October 1st deadline?

Missing the deadline is a serious compliance violation. The USPS may suspend or fully revoke your Periodicals mailing privileges, which means you will have to pay standard, non-discounted postage rates until the issue is resolved or re-authorized.

Do I have to publish this form in my magazine?

Yes. Unless you have a specific exemption, USPS regulations require general publications to print the completed Statement of Ownership in an issue whose primary mailed distribution is produced not later than October 10 (or the first issue printed after October 1).

What is the difference between PS 3526 and PS 3526-R?

PS 3526 is for general publications that primarily rely on paid subscriptions. PS 3526-R is specifically for "Requester Publications"—publications that are largely distributed for free, but only to individuals who have specifically requested to receive them.

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Statement of Ownership, Management & Circulation