The USPS Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee

In 1957, the US Postal Service formed a committee called the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC). Each year the US Postal Service receives thousands of letters from American’s requesting a particular type of stamp to be issued. All stamp suggestions must meet specific criteria in order to be considered. Anyone can make a request.

The CSAC evaluates the merits of all stamp proposals. It is their goal to find subjects that are interesting and educational. The Committee works on behalf of the Postmaster General. The USPS strives to issue approximately twenty five new commemorative stamps, along with their new normal postal usage stamps, each year. The committee keeps all postal customers in mind while making their selections.

There are a maximum of 15 committee members who serve on the panel. They are appointed directly by the Postmaster General. Members have a wide range of backgrounds that provide historical, artistic, educational and professional expertise in the decision making process.

There is not any staff to support the Committee directly. The Postal Service Stamp Development helps provide services to the committee when necessary. They help process and respond to as many as 50,000 inquiries annually.

The Committee only meets four times per year. They review any new proposals. They do not allow any in-person requests to be heard. All proposals must be in writing. They also provide guidance on the artwork and design of stamp subjects before they are issued.