Learn How to Cancel Your USPS Mail Forwarding

Understanding USPS Mail Forwarding and When You Might Want to Cancel

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers mail forwarding services that redirect your mail from one address to another. This service is commonly used when people move to new homes, relocate for work, or need mail sent to a temporary location. When you set up mail forwarding with USPS, the postal service will deliver letters, packages, and other mail pieces sent to your old address to your new address instead.

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Mail forwarding typically remains active for a period you select when you first set it up—usually between 3 months and 12 months. However, circumstances change. You may have moved again, realized you no longer need the forwarding service, or want to stop it for other reasons. Some people cancel forwarding because they've notified all their important contacts of their new address. Others cancel because they're moving back to their original location. Understanding why you might want to cancel helps you determine the best approach for your situation.

The USPS mail forwarding process is relatively straightforward to set up and equally straightforward to cancel. Unlike some government services, USPS doesn't make the cancellation process complicated or difficult. You have several methods available to you, each with different levels of convenience depending on your schedule and preferences.

According to USPS data, millions of Americans use mail forwarding services each year. The service costs money—as of 2024, mail forwarding costs between $1.10 and $5.55 depending on the length of service and mail type. If you're no longer using the service, canceling it means you won't continue paying for it unnecessarily.

Practical Takeaway: Before canceling, think about whether you still need the forwarding service. If you're certain you don't, proceed with cancellation. If you're unsure, you can wait until the forwarding period expires naturally, as USPS will not automatically renew it without your action.

Method One: Canceling Online Through USPS.com

The online method is one of the most convenient ways to cancel your USPS mail forwarding. You can do this from your computer, tablet, or smartphone at any time—day or night. The USPS website operates 24/7, so you're not limited to business hours. To start, visit the official USPS website at USPS.com and look for the mail forwarding section. This is typically found in the "Mail & Packages" or "Services" area of the website.

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To cancel online, you'll need your USPS Informed Delivery account or you may need to log in with identification information. USPS may ask you to verify your identity before allowing you to manage forwarding orders. This verification process typically involves answering security questions or confirming personal information. The system does this to protect your account and prevent unauthorized changes to your mail forwarding.

Once you've verified your identity, you should be able to see any active mail forwarding orders linked to your account. The website will show you details about each forwarding order, including the original address, the forwarding address, and the expiration date of the service. You'll then look for an option to cancel, which is usually labeled as "Cancel Forwarding" or "Stop Forwarding Mail." Click this option and follow the prompts to complete the cancellation.

The online cancellation typically takes effect within one to two business days. USPS will stop forwarding mail from your old address to your new address after this processing period. The website usually provides confirmation of your cancellation request, which you should save or print for your records. This confirmation shows the date you requested cancellation and confirms which address forwarding was stopped.

One advantage of canceling online is that you receive immediate confirmation. You also have a record of the transaction saved in your email and on your account. If you ever need to reference when you canceled, this documentation serves as proof.

Practical Takeaway: Before canceling online, write down your confirmation number and take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation. Keep this information for at least 30 days in case you need to contact USPS about the cancellation.

Method Two: Canceling in Person at Your Local Post Office

If you prefer to handle your cancellation in person or don't feel comfortable using the online system, you can visit your local USPS post office. This method allows you to speak directly with a postal employee who can process your cancellation immediately. To find your nearest post office, visit USPS.com and use the "Find Locations" tool, or search "USPS near me" in any search engine.

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When you visit the post office, bring a form of photo identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. You may also want to bring any paperwork related to your mail forwarding order if you have it, though this isn't always necessary. The postal employee can look up your forwarding order using your name and address information.

Tell the employee that you want to cancel your mail forwarding service. They will access your account, confirm the details of your forwarding order, and process the cancellation. This takes only a few minutes. The employee will provide you with a receipt or confirmation showing that your cancellation was processed. Keep this receipt for your records.

One benefit of the in-person method is that you can ask questions directly. If you're unsure about anything related to your mail forwarding or cancellation, the postal employee can explain it to you. You also get immediate confirmation that your cancellation has been processed. There's no waiting to hear back or wondering if your online submission went through.

The in-person method does require you to take time to visit a post office during their business hours. Most post offices are open Monday through Friday, and many are open on Saturday mornings. Some locations have extended hours, while others keep more limited schedules. Check your local post office's hours before going to avoid a wasted trip.

Practical Takeaway: Call your local post office before visiting to confirm they're open and to find out if you need an appointment. Some locations have reduced staffing during certain times, and a quick call ensures you won't wait unnecessarily.

Method Three: Canceling by Mail or Phone

If you can't visit a post office or use the online system, you can cancel your mail forwarding by phone or through the mail. To cancel by phone, call USPS customer service at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). Have your account information ready, including your old address, new forwarding address, and any confirmation numbers from when you set up the forwarding. The customer service representative will verify your identity and then cancel the forwarding for you.

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When you call, be prepared to answer security questions to verify that you are the person authorized to manage the forwarding order. USPS takes this verification seriously to prevent someone else from canceling your forwarding without permission. The customer service representative will go through these questions with you. Once verified, the representative will process the cancellation and provide you with a confirmation number. Write this number down and ask for it to be sent to your email if possible.

You can also cancel by mail, though this method takes longer. Send a letter to your local post office requesting cancellation of your mail forwarding service. Include your full name, old address, new forwarding address, and the confirmation number from when you set up the forwarding service (if you have it). Address the letter to the post office that handles your old address. In the letter, clearly state that you want to cancel your forwarding service.

Cancellation by mail typically takes 1-2 weeks to process, since postal employees need to receive your letter, locate your forwarding order, process the cancellation, and send you confirmation. For this reason, canceling by phone or online is usually faster. However, if you prefer to have everything in writing, the mail method creates a paper trail of your cancellation request.

Keep in mind that phone lines may have wait times, especially during busy periods like early morning, lunchtime, or early evening. If you call outside peak hours—such as mid-morning or mid-afternoon on a Tuesday through Thursday—you may experience shorter wait times.

Practical Takeaway: Whichever method you choose, ask for and write down your cancellation confirmation number. This number proves that you requested the cancellation and helps you track the process.

What Happens After You Cancel and Important Details to Know