When I did it, you could opt out electronically for 5 years, but a lifetime opt out requires you to mail a printed form. I'm guessing the lenders have something to do with that and are banking on most people not having a printer.
Edit: Or having to deal with paying for a stamp and putting something in the mail.
No, your registration will never expire. The FTC will only remove your number from the Registry if itโs disconnected and reassigned, or if you ask to remove it.
Pretty much any brick-and-mortar office supply store I've seen provides copy machine and printing services. Probably faxing too, though I haven't checked.
I mean, I don't do much in paper any more, but I'm pretty sure that most people need -- even if only very occasionally -- to print things.