Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee

The United States Postal Service's Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) evaluates potential subjects for U. S. postage stamps and reports its recommendations to the Postmaster General, who makes the final decision.

Each year, the Postal Service receives thousands of letters and petitions from the American public proposing stamp subjects. Established in 1957, the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) reviews all of the proposals and selects stamp subjects that will be of enduring interest to large segments of the American population. The Postal Service relies on CSAC to produce a balanced stamp program of approximately 25 – 30 stamp subjects each year. The annual stamp program is designed to reflect many different aspects of American culture and includes stamps honoring individuals, history, culture, sports, and science and technology. The vast majority of proposals submitted, suggesting many meritorious and meaningful subjects, do not result in U. S. postage stamps. One of CSAC's most important functions is to ensure that every subject proposal is given the same level of consideration. CSAC treats every proposal the same way, regardless of any professional lobbying efforts, letter writing campaigns, petitions, and/or appeals to influential politicians.

CSAC is composed of ten to fifteen members who are appointed by the Postmaster General. Members are chosen because of their expertise in education, art, design, history, and literature. The committee meets quarterly to consider subject proposals. Every submission received since the previous meeting is reviewed and considered based on the guidelines and criteria established for stamp subjects (see below). The selected subjects are researched and presented at the next meeting. CSAC's non binding recommendations are forwarded to the Postmaster General for approval. Once subjects are finalized, CSAC reviews proposed artwork and designs. Given the lengthy review and design process, the public is advised to submit ideas at least three years before the anticipated date of issue.

Benjamin F. Bailar, who had served as the United States Postmaster General from February 16, 1975, to March 15, 1978, was appointed to the committee in December 2006. In July 2014, Bailar resigned from the committee in protest over the increasingly commercial choices for stamp designs and suggested that the committee might no longer be necessary.

The U. S. Postal Service and the members of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) use the following criteria to determine the eligibility of subjects for commemoration on all U. S. stamps and stationery. 1. As a general policy, U. S. postage stamps and stationery primarily will feature American or American related subjects. Other subjects can be considered if they have had a significant impact on American history or culture. 2. The Postal Service will consider honoring living people who have made extraordinary contributions to American society and culture. These remarkable individuals through their transformative achievements in their respective fields will have made enduring contributions to the United States of America. 3. Commemorative stamps or postal stationery honoring individuals usually will be issued to celebrate births, anniversaries, and/or significant contributions. 4. A memorial stamp will be issued honoring each U. S. president following their death. 5. Events of historical significance shall be considered for commemoration on anniversaries in multiples of 50 years. 6. Themes of widespread national appeal and significance that reflect our nation's inclusiveness, events, and persons will be considered. Official postal cancellations may be requested through the local postmaster for significant local events or commemorations. 7. Statehood anniversary commemorative stamps will be issued at intervals of 50 years from the date of the state's entry into the Union. Requests for observance of other state related or regional anniversaries will be considered as subjects for postal stationery at intervals of 50 years from the date of the event. 8. Universities and other institutions of higher education will be considered for stamped cards in connection with the 200th anniversaries of their founding. 9. A subject will not typically be considered if a stamp on the same subject has been issued in the past 50 years. The exceptions to this criterion are traditional themes such as national symbols and holidays. 10. The stamp program commemorates positive contributions to American life, history, and culture; disasters will not be commemorated on U. S. postage stamps or stationery. 11. The following are not considered eligible for commemoration: government agencies, localities, non profit organizations, associations, and similar entities. Stamps or stationery items shall not be issued to honor religious institutions or individuals whose principal achievements are associated with religious undertakings or beliefs. 12. Stamps may be issued for the major military services (Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines) on 50 year anniversaries (or multiples) of their current organizational structure. Stamps for the major service academies will be considered on a case by case basis for 50 year anniversaries (or multiples). Due to the large number of individual units with the military services, stamps will not be issued to honor individual groups or units within the military.