Moving is one of the most stressful things you can do, and you have to worry about everything from planning to packing to changing your address with the post office.
But what if you need to cancel that change of address with USPS- what do you need to do? If you’d like to find out, keep reading!
How Do I Cancel USPS Change Of Address In 2024?
You can cancel a change of address with USPS either online or in person at your local post office in 2024. To cancel the request, you’ll need your zip code and the confirmation code USPS gave you when you submitted the request. However, if you don’t have your confirmation code, you’ll have to process the change in person.
If you’re a little lost on how to cancel your change of address request and need more information on the ins and outs of this process, keep reading to learn more useful facts!
How Do I Cancel A Change of Address?
In order to cancel a USPS change of address, you need two pieces of information: your zip code and the confirmation code USPS provided to you when you submitted the change of address request.
If you submitted your change of address request online, the confirmation code will be in the email USPS sent to your inbox.
However, if you submitted your change of address request in person, your confirmation code can be found on the printed change of address order confirmation that was sent to your new address.
Once you have both your confirmation code and zip code, you can elect to cancel the change of address either online or in person.
If you wish to cancel your request online, you can visit this page on the USPS website, where you’ll enter your zip code and confirmation number.
Once you’ve entered your information, you’ll be redirected to a page that allows you to make up to two changes a day to your change of address request, meaning you can edit your street address.
You’ll also see an option to outright cancel the change of address, which you can do if you just want to revert back to your original address.
As well, you can cancel your change of address request in person by paying a visit to your local post office.
However, be sure to have both your zip code and confirmation code on hand when you visit the post office as they’ll need that information to cancel the request.
What Is The Difference Between A Temporary And Permanent Change Of Address Form at USPS?
The primary difference between a temporary change of address and a permanent change of address can be linked to the reason why you’re submitting a change request.
For example, when most people are changing their address with USPS, it’s because they’re moving from one address to another with no intent of returning to the original address (basically what everyone thinks of when someone says they’re moving).
When you’re moving addresses on a permanent basis or intend to be at your new address for 12 months or more, a permanent change of address is the best choice.
In contrast, temporary change of address requests are typically used when someone is on a particularly long business trip (no longer than a year), staying at a different location while renovations are being done at their original address, or an extended vacation.
A temporary change of address, in short, is used when someone is planning to return to the original address in less than 12 months.
Can You Cancel A Permanent USPS Change Of Address?
USPS unfortunately doesn’t allow for permanent change of address requests to be cancelled.
When you submit a permanent change of address request, your information is logged into the National Change of Address database, which notifies banks and other businesses of your new location as your mail is forwarded.
The NCOA database retains your information for a total of four years, which means if you decide to move back to your old address or begin receiving mail there again, you cannot cancel the change of address through USPS.
However, while you can’t cancel the change of address form itself, you can submit a new change of address form to begin mail forwarding to the original address.
Can You Cancel A USPS Change Of Address Without A Confirmation Code?
If you can’t find or no longer have your confirmation code, you won’t be able to cancel or alter your change of address request on the USPS website.
You can, however, visit your local post office and edit or cancel the request in person- but be sure to have as much information about the request as possible on hand so that they can find and verify the correct request.
Some information you’ll need to help expedite the process is the original address, the address you requested to have mail forwarded to, and a photo ID so they can verify your identity.
Once the postal worker has found and verified the change of address request you’re trying to alter or cancel, they’ll have to fill out PS Form 3546.
This form is called the “Official Change/Correction to Mail Forwarding Change Of Address Order” and is an internal form meant to deal with fraudulent or faulty change of address orders that can only be filled out by postal workers on site.
If you are looking to learn more, you can also see our posts on USPS article number, what does insufficient means at USPS, and how long does USPS change of address last.
Conclusion
You can only cancel a change of address request through USPS if it’s a temporary change of address request. While you can’t cancel a permanent change of address request, you can submit a new request to reverse the old one.
You can cancel a change of address request online or in person at your local post office, but you’ll need your zip code and confirmation code. If you don’t have your confirmation code, you’ll need to visit the post office so a postal worker can fill out PS Form 3546 on your behalf.