"I do not understand the large fee for delivery of paperwork since the EIN is simply a method of identifying a tax paying entity.
The website was easy to navigate and the number was supplied in a timely fashion. The fee is excessive. Strangest of all is that electronic notification is the most expensive.
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UPDATE
When I applied, I did not realize that this is a private fee-based service designed to assist in applying for a free EIN from the IRS. I spoke with customer service and have been assured that the fee has been refunded and that my EIN number will remain in effect. The lesson learned? - Be sure and read the details when something with the word "gov" in the domain name shows up on top in Google and requests fees for service."