You do not get a permit until walk into the office IVC in Lone Pine and get the dog and pony show. This means for a Sunday start you present yourself, or someone in your group, must present themselves sometime Saturday to pick up the permit.
Based on your other post, since your plans are for 2008 you request a start date that does not interfere with your religious obligations. If that doesn't work and you are permitted for Sunday, I would call the Inyo National Forest explain the situation and ask them if they would be kind enough to hold the permit open until you arrive Sunday. If they are amenable have them e-mail you what has been agreed to and take the e-mail with you to present to the clerk.
