
You've decided it's time to cancel mail forwarding with the US Post Office. To do this, you'll need to go online to the USPS website and sign in to your account.
You can only cancel mail forwarding if you're the account holder, so make sure you have the required login credentials.
Once you're signed in, navigate to the "Hold Mail" or "Forwarding" section of your account, where you can find the option to cancel mail forwarding.
The USPS will send a confirmation email to your registered email address once the cancellation is processed.
Managing Change-of-Address
To cancel mail forwarding, you can follow simple steps online or in person at a local post office. The online process takes just a few minutes, and you can cancel your request at any time.
If you've lost your confirmation number, you can retrieve it in person at a post office, where a USPS employee can help you directly. There's no fee to make changes in person, unlike the $1.10 identity verification fee charged online.
You'll need to bring a valid photo ID and proof of residence at your current address to make changes in person. A bank statement or utility bill should suffice for proof of residence.
It may take between seven and ten business days for a request to cancel the forwarding service to be processed. This means your mail may still be redirected even after the request has been processed.
If you cancel a forwarding request in advance, you can avoid having your mail sent to an address you've left. This is especially important if you're moving to a new home and need to ensure your mail reaches you promptly.
You can cancel mail forwarding in person by telling a USPS employee that you'd like to cancel your mail forwarding service. They'll provide you with the correct paperwork to fill in, which you can then give back to the worker to process.
Here's a summary of what you'll need to cancel mail forwarding in person:
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Proof of residence at your current address (bank statement, utility bill, or magazine label)
- The USPS employee will provide the correct paperwork to fill in.
Stopping Mail Forwarding
Stopping mail forwarding can be a bit of a hassle, but it's a necessary step when you're moving or changing your address. You can cancel your mail forwarding request online, but you'll need your confirmation number to do so.
To cancel online, visit https://managemymove.usps.com/ and enter your confirmation number along with the "new" ZIP code you listed for the address you wanted your mail forwarded to.
If you've lost your confirmation number, you can still cancel your mail forwarding request by visiting a post office in person with valid, government-issued photo ID.
It's a good idea to cancel your mail forwarding request as soon as possible, but it may take between seven and ten business days for the request to be processed.
Understanding Mail Forwarding
Mail forwarding is a convenient service offered by the USPS, allowing you to receive your mail while you're away or after a move. You can use the Temporary Change of Address Order (CAO) for free piece-by-piece forwarding of most first-class mail and periodicals, but it's essential to specify an end date.
The CAO option is ideal for short-term situations, but for a more permanent change, you may want to consider the Permanent Change of Address (COA) option, which allows for piece-by-piece forwarding of most first-class mail for 12 months and periodicals for 60 days. This option also provides your new address to businesses upon request through mailers.
To ensure a smooth transition, it's crucial to keep track of who needs to be informed of your change of address. Make a list of individuals and organizations that send you mail, and cross off those who have been informed once you receive mail with your new address.
How Long to Forward Mail After Moving?
It's not always clear how long to forward mail after moving house, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the service running for a couple of months.
You should make a list of individuals and organizations that send you mail and slowly cross off those who have been informed of your change of address, starting with financial organizations for security reasons.
Keep an eye on the mail you receive and mark those who still have forwarding stickers on it, indicating they haven't updated their records yet.
It may take time for the last few forwarded envelopes to arrive, so it's a good idea to keep the service running for a few extra months to ensure you don't miss anyone.
Leaving a forwarding address with the people who have moved into your old property can also help ensure you receive any mail that's still being sent to the old address.
Three Types of
Understanding Mail Forwarding requires knowledge of the different types of mail forwarding services available. There are three main options to choose from.
The Temporary Change of Address Order (CAO) allows for free piece-by-piece forwarding of most first-class mail and periodicals for a specified time. This option does not include Marketing Mail or Package Services Mail, and customers must pay for shipping from their post office to their forwarded address for Media Mail and Retail Ground Service.
The CAO order does not automatically update state or personal records, so customers must update their voter information, DMV record, and banking information independently.
The Permanent Change of Address (COA) provides piece-by-piece forwarding of most first-class mail for 12 months and periodicals for 60 days. This option does not include Marketing Mail or Package Services Mail, and the USPS will provide the customer's new address to businesses upon request through mailers.
The COA option is a good choice for those who plan to stay at their new address for a longer period of time.
The Premium Forwarding Service Residential Service (PFS-Residential Service) offers a weekly shipment of all mail to a residence for up to a year for a fee. This service is in addition to the CAO or COA options, providing an extra layer of convenience for those who need it.
Here are the three types of mail forwarding services available:
- Temporary Change of Address Order (CAO)
- Permanent Change of Address (COA)
- Premium Forwarding Service Residential Service (PFS-Residential Service)
Heading:
It's a good idea to cancel a mail forwarding request in advance if possible to avoid receiving mail at an old address.
You can cancel your mail forwarding request online, but it may take between seven and ten business days for the request to be processed.
To cancel a mail forwarding request in person, visit your local post office with a valid photo ID and proof of residence at your current address.
There's no fee to make changes in person, unlike the $1.10 identity verification fee charged online.
You'll need to bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID, and proof of residence, like a utility bill or bank statement.
Three types of mail forwarding services are available through the USPS: Temporary Change of Address Order (CAO), Permanent Change of Address (COA), and Premium Forwarding Service Residential Service (PFS-Residential Service).
Here's a brief summary of each service:
To keep your mail forwarding service running smoothly, make a list of individuals and organizations that send you mail and pay attention to the percentage of mail with forwarding stickers.
You can also leave a forwarding address with the people who have moved into your old property, but there's no guarantee they'll make the effort to forward mail to you.
Troubleshooting
If you're experiencing issues with the USPS mail forwarding service, start by checking the status of your request on the USPS website or by contacting the USPS customer service.
Make sure your mail forwarding request is complete and includes all necessary information, such as your address and forwarding instructions.
If you're unable to forward your mail, try contacting the USPS customer service to see if they can assist you in resolving the issue.
The USPS offers a 90-day window to update your address, so be sure to make any necessary changes within this timeframe to avoid delays or lost mail.
You can also try contacting the post office directly to see if they can help you resolve any issues with your mail forwarding request.
No Confirmation Code?
If you've lost your confirmation code, don't panic! You'll need to visit your local post office to confirm your identity and cancel the forwarding request.
They'll find alternative ways to verify your identity, which may vary depending on the circumstances. Be prepared to provide other evidence to prove your request is genuine.
You can visit any post office, but it's a good idea to take some photo ID and other proof of identity with you. This will help speed up the process and make things easier for everyone involved.
Refund Inquiry

If you've canceled your Mail Forwarding service early, you might be eligible for a refund for unused weeks.
You'll need to request the refund in person at your local post office, as it can't be done online.
Your enrollment fee won't be refunded, even if you've never used the service - it's a fixed fee that can't be returned.
To get a refund, you'll need to fill in a form and wait for a no-fee money order to be processed.
This process may take some time, but it's worth it if you've prepaid for unused weeks.
Service Run Time
The Mail Forwarding service will run for a year if you don't cancel it, but it depends on how you set it up initially.
If you entered effective dates, the service will stop when you requested it to stop. However, if you didn't enter any dates, it will run for a year before ceasing.
You can try to get it extended beyond a year, but only in special circumstances. You'll need to discuss this directly with the post office and provide evidence of why it's needed.
Subscription services like magazines can only be forwarded for sixty days, so make sure to update your address with the provider before then.
Online Access
To cancel mail forwarding online, you simply need to access the official USPS website and navigate to your account.
Log in with your username and password, and then go into the “Manage your mail” section.
From here, click on “Forward Mail” and scroll to the bottom to find the link that says “Need to view, update, or cancel…”.
You'll need to enter the confirmation code you were given when you set up the mail forwarding, which can be found in the email you received or on your confirmation letter.
You'll also need to enter the zip code of the address you were temporarily using.
Click “submit” and wait for the page to load, then click “submit” again to confirm the cancellation.
Change Tool Access
To access the USPS Change Tool, scroll to the bottom of the USPS Change of Address website.
You can find the blue banner that says "Want to View, Edit, Cancel, or Dispute your USPS Change of Address?" and click the red arrow next to it.
The shortcut to go directly to the USPS change-of-address management page is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you change mail forwarding online?
Yes, you can change mail forwarding online through the USPS website at USPS.com/move. No additional fees are required.
Sources
- https://www.postscanmail.com/blog/how-cancel-usps-mail-forwarding.html
- https://www.usglobalmail.com/blog/usps-cancel-mail-forwarding/
- https://www.wikihow.com/Cancel-Mail-Forwarding
- https://todayshomeowner.com/moving/guides/how-to-update-or-cancel-your-change-of-address/
- https://legalbeagle.com/7541364-stop-forwarding-usps-mail.html
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