She was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the permit, a game fish found in waters from North Carolina to Brazil.

Off the California coast in spring 1962, about 30 mi (50 km) west of the Golden Gate, she collided with the hull of the Matson freighter Hawaiian Citizen on 9 May, damaging both vessels, which caused a change of command.

After final acceptance trials in January 1963, she participated in a thorough evaluation of the SUBROC missile, and on 28 March, became the first submarine to successfully fire one.

From May to July, she deployed to WestPac, and after a short stop at Pearl Harbor, returned to San Diego on 13 August.

Ex-Permit entered the nuclear-powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, on 30 September 1991, and on 20 May 1993, ceased to exist.