Royal Mail's records created whilst in public ownership are public records and will remain so if it becomes a private sector company after a sale of shares. Royal Mail will continue to maintain those records and they must be kept and preserved in accordance with the Public Records Act.

The British Postal Museum and Archive ( BPMA), a charitable Trust set up by Royal Mail, acts as a Place of Deposit for Royal Mail’s (and Post Office Limited's) archives. The BPMA is also the custodian of its museum collection and operates independently of Royal Mail.

The National Archives provides a supervisory and governance role for the selection and transfer programme managed by Royal Mail, and ensures that they maintain standards for an approved Place of Deposit.

Royal Mail and Post Office Limited provide the funding for the BPMA through a service contract to maintain the archives and long terms loans which will support the establishment of a new site for the museum collection. The BPMA also raises contributions from third parties.

Royal Mail, under section 12 of the Postal Services Act 2011, is required to provide the Secretary of State with an annual report on its activities relating to the museum collection and the archive. The Secretary of State is required to lay this report before Parliament.