Fees for use normally apply to for-profit corporations, partnerships, private businesses, and individuals when images are to be used commercially in books, periodicals, films, videos, productions, web sites, advertising, projections, or for direct sale. This includes, but is not limited to, the display of photographs in public areas of commercial buildings, restaurants, galleries, and retail spaces. Commercial use fees are not charged when photographs are obtained for purposes of private viewing and research. A written description of the use to which photographic reprints will be put must accompany the order. If published, all photographs reproduced must be credited to the USA Archives on the page where they are published in easily readable typeface according to the credit line specified by USA Archives. Separate permission must be sought and gained if the credit line will not appear on the same page as the published photograph. If displayed, the Archives normally prefers that each image be individually credited with both the name of the collection from which the image came and the Archives' general credit line. At the very minimum, however, the Archives requires that it be credited for the use of its image(s). Arrangements may be made whereby a single credit is posted in a conspicuous location.

For-profit corporations, partnerships, private businesses, and individuals working for non-profit organizations and governmental agencies on projects sponsored by those organizations may be eligible to receive non-profit status on a case-by-case basis.

USA Archives has a fee schedule for the use of its images for a commercial purpose. That schedule is based on the use to which the image(s) will be put. Photographic copies are provided for a one-time use only. Any subsequent reproduction of the print supplied, such as mural-size prints, will be subject to a larger use fee to be determined by the Archives. Later or different use, including the production of subsequent editions or printings of a work, constitute re-use and requires renegotiation and payment of commercial use fees. All reproductions made for commercial use will be made by the archives at its current prices.

The Archives reserves the right to decline to provide copies of photographs if, in the judgement of the Archives, the proposed copies would be a violation of copyright law, or would offend, invade the privacy of, or raise objections of persons pictured in the photographs, their relatives, the community, the photographer, or the donor of the photographs. 

Use fees are due at the time the image is obtained unless prior arrangements have been made.