How to Cancel or Reverse a Change of Address

You can cancel a change of address at the post office, online, or by mail — the method depends on which service you used and how far along the process is

If you filed a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service and now need to stop it, you have options. The fastest route is to visit your local post office in person with ID and ask them to cancel it on the spot. If you filed online through USPS.com, you can log back in and cancel before the effective date. If you mailed a form, you can submit a cancellation form by mail or visit a post office. The key is acting quickly — once mail starts forwarding, stopping it becomes harder.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you want to cancel before the change takes effect or reverse one that is already active. A change of address typically becomes active one to three business days after you file it, so timing matters.

Key Takeaways

Visit your local post office with a photo ID to cancel a change of address in person — this is the fastest method and takes minutes.
If you filed online through USPS.com, log into your account and cancel before the effective date to stop it before it starts.
You can submit a cancellation by mail using Form 8076 or by calling the USPS customer service line, though these take longer.
Once mail forwarding is active, you may need to file a new change of address back to your original address instead of straightforward canceling.
Check the effective date of your original change of address — canceling before that date is simpler than reversing one already in progress.

Cancel in person at your post office

The simplest way to stop a change of address is to walk into the post office where you filed it (or any post office in your area) and ask the clerk to cancel it. Bring a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Tell the clerk your name, the address you were changing from, and the address you were changing to. They will look up the record and cancel it on the spot.

This method works best if you act within a few days of filing. Once the change becomes active and mail starts forwarding, the post office may tell you that canceling is no longer possible and that you need to file a new change of address instead — one that sends mail back to your original address.

Cancel online if you filed through USPS.com

If you filed your change of address on the USPS website, log back into your account at USPS.com using the email address and password you created. Go to the "Manage Change of Address" section and find the change you want to cancel. You will see the effective date listed. If the effective date has not arrived yet, you should see a cancel option. Click it and confirm.

Once you cancel online, the change will not take effect. However, if the effective date has already passed and mail forwarding has started, the online system may not let you cancel. In that case, you will need to file a new change of address to reverse the original one, or visit the post office in person.

Submit a cancellation form by mail

You can cancel by mail using USPS Form 8076, which is the official cancellation form. Write your name, the address you were changing from, and the address you were changing to. Sign and date the form, then mail it to your local post office. Include a note explaining that you want to cancel the change of address you filed.

This method is slower — the form may take one to two weeks to process, and by then your change of address may already be active. Use this route only if you cannot visit the post office in person and did not file online.

Call USPS customer service

You can also call USPS customer service at 1-800-275-8777 to request a cancellation. Have your name, the original address, and the new address ready. The representative will look up your change of address and attempt to cancel it. However, they cannot always cancel over the phone if the change is already active, and they may direct you to visit a post office or file a new change of address instead.

Phone lines can have long wait times, so this is not the fastest option. It works best as a backup if you cannot reach a post office quickly.

File a new change of address to reverse an active one

If your original change of address is already active and forwarding mail, you cannot straightforward cancel it — you must file a new change of address that reverses it. File a change of address from the new address back to your original address. This tells the post office to stop forwarding and resume delivering to the old location.

The new change of address will take effect one to three business days after you file it. During that window, some mail may still go to the new address. Once the reversal is active, mail will resume going to your original address. You can file this reversal online, by mail, or in person at the post office using the same methods as a regular change of address.

What happens to mail already forwarded

Mail that has already been forwarded to your new address before you cancel will not come back automatically. If you cancel or reverse a change of address, the post office stops forwarding future mail — it does not retrieve mail that has already left. If important mail went to the wrong address, you may need to contact the sender and ask them to resend it to your correct address.

This is why acting quickly matters. The sooner you cancel, the less mail gets forwarded to the wrong place. If weeks have passed since you filed the change, significant mail may have already gone to the new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a change of address after it becomes active?

You cannot cancel it in the traditional sense, but you can file a new change of address that reverses it. File a change from the new address back to the original address. This stops forwarding and resumes delivery to your old location within one to three business days.

What if I do not remember the address I was changing to?

Visit your local post office with a photo ID and tell the clerk you need to cancel a change of address but cannot remember the destination address. They can look it up in the system using your name and original address. Bring ID so they can verify your identity.

How long does it take to cancel online?

If you cancel through USPS.com before the effective date, it takes effect when ready. The change will not set up. If the effective date has already passed, the online system may not allow cancellation, and you will need to file a reversal or visit the post office.

Will I get a refund if I cancel before the change takes effect?

USPS does not refund change of address fees. Whether you cancel before or after the change becomes active, the fee is not returned. The fee is typically around $1.10 for online filing.

What if I filed the change of address at a different post office?

You can cancel at any post office, not just the one where you filed. Bring your photo ID and tell the clerk your name and the addresses involved. They can look up the record in the system and cancel it regardless of which location processed it.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.