How to Cancel USPS Mail Forwarding

Great news for travelers who take extended trips for work or vacation: Setting up a United States Post Office (USPS) change of address, or mail forwarding, is quick and easy. Whether you will be away from home for a couple of weeks or for a few months (you can forward mail from 15 days to 12 months), temporarily making a change of mailing address is as essential as remembering your suitcase – unless, of course, you want to return home to unpaid bills and envelopes overflowing from your mailbox.

Knowing how to manage your USPS mail forwarding address after it's set up is useful, too. To ensure you don’t miss a letter or package once you've returned home, you should know how to cancel the mail forwarding services. Although you should specify your expected end date when you set up the service, travel itineraries sometimes change, and trying to track down your mail is the last thing you need to think about after you return home. To ensure a seamless, straightforward cancellation process of your temporary post address, end your mail forwarding services in one of two ways.

Canceling mail forwarding online is not only simple, but it's an excellent option for travelers as you can do it from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and access to the internet. The simplest and quickest way to cancel your USPS change of address is to visit the official website. You'll need your confirmation number (printed at the top of your change of mailing address confirmation form), as well as the temporary zip code where you have had your mail forwarded. Once online and logged into your account, you can follow the prompts and change the end date or cancel the service altogether. Keep in mind that mail can take a few business days to cease arriving at your forwarding address and re-arrive at your permanent residence. You can always call (1-800-ASK-USPS) or visit your local branch for an update. Canceling mail forwarding online is not only simple, but it's an excellent option for travelers as it can be done from anywhere in the world as long as you have a computer and internet access.

If you prefer to cancel your USPS mail forwarding service in person after returning from your trip, you can do so by visiting your local USPS branch or post office. Similar to visiting and filling out a PS Form 3575 for the initial change of mailing address, canceling in person is also a straightforward process. Just remember to bring two forms of identification and evidence that you live at the primary address (a utility bill or bank statement will work). Post offices are generally busiest when they first open, during the lunch hour and in the late afternoon, so make your trip outside of the peak hours to avoid long lines. You can also call your local branch and ask about the least busy time of day.