Processing Acknowledgement Form (PAF) is optional for Postalocity users, but it can be very beneficial. Filing a PAF allows us to show you the most current information for the customers/members in your large group mailings, enabling you to keep your records up-to-date so that no one misses out on your mailings. The PAF unlocks access to NCOALink, a secure dataset of approximately 160 million permanent change-of-address (COA) records consisting of names and addresses of individuals, families, and businesses who submitted a change-of-address to the USPS within the last 48 months.
The Privacy Act of 1974 requires companies like Postalocity, who wish to show COA records to their customers, to file a PAF for each customer prior to processing their mailings. A PAF that is signed and confirmed by both parties is valid for one calendar year and will be kept on file with the USPS, BCC Software, and Postalocity. Your Postalocity PAF can be renewed yearly, and is completely free of charge.
Important Note: The USPS has additional requirements for checking your job against the NCOALink database. Your mailing must contain at least 100 pieces with unique addresses obtained legally (e.g. from current or prospective clients/members, or a registered list broker) for the purpose of mailing letters, invoices, news, forms or other mail without malicious intent. Finally, you may not try to create or maintain “new movers’ lists” with this NCOA Link information.