Plans change. A move falls through, you type the wrong address, or you file a permanent order when you only needed a temporary one. Whatever the reason, a USPS change of address can be canceled, but the process depends on whether your order is temporary or permanent, and on whether you still have the confirmation code from when you filed. Here is exactly how to cancel each type, and what to do if you have lost your code.
Quick facts: canceling a change of address
| Situation | How to cancel |
|---|---|
| Temporary order, code in hand | Online through USPS Manage Your Move using your new ZIP code and confirmation code |
| Temporary order, no code | In person at a post office with photo ID |
| Permanent order | Online if possible, but forwarding may continue until the original order expires; contact USPS Consumer Affairs to fully restore your old address |
| Filed permanent by mistake | Contact USPS Consumer Affairs to re-establish your original address |
Reflects USPS policy as of 2026. Confirm current steps on usps.com.
How to cancel a USPS change of address online
The fastest route is USPS’s online Manage Your Move tool. To use it you need two pieces of information: the new ZIP code on your order and the confirmation code USPS emailed you when you filed. Enter both, locate your active order, and cancel it.
This online path works most reliably for temporary orders, which are designed to be edited and canceled by the person who created them. Once canceled, mail stops forwarding and resumes delivery to your original address.
How to cancel without a confirmation code
If you no longer have the confirmation code, you cannot cancel online. In that case, go to your local post office in person and bring a valid photo ID. A clerk can look up your order and cancel it for you. This is the standard fallback whenever the online tool cannot verify your order, so it is worth keeping the confirmation email until you are certain the move is final.
Canceling a permanent change of address
Permanent orders are harder to unwind than temporary ones. When you file a permanent change of address, your new address is entered into the National Change of Address database, and that system can keep forwarding your mail until the original order expires, even after you attempt to cancel. In practice, submitting a cancellation may not immediately stop everything.
If you need your original address fully restored, the reliable step is to contact USPS Consumer Affairs directly and explain the situation. They can help clear the order from the system so mail delivers normally at your old address again.
What to do if you filed a permanent order by mistake
Accidentally choosing “permanent” instead of “temporary” is a common error, and it has a fix. Reach out to USPS Consumer Affairs to have the erroneous order corrected or removed. The sooner you act, the less mail gets rerouted in the meantime. Do not assume a lookalike online form can undo it for you; the official channel is the only one that reliably clears a permanent order.
Common reasons people cancel
- The move fell through and you are staying put.
- You entered the wrong address or start date and need to redo the order.
- You filed permanent instead of temporary, or vice versa.
- You are moving back to your original address ahead of schedule.
In each case, canceling promptly prevents mail from being forwarded to a place you are no longer going.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel a USPS change of address online? Yes, through the Manage Your Move tool, as long as you have your new ZIP code and confirmation code. Temporary orders cancel most cleanly this way; permanent orders may need a call to Consumer Affairs to fully restore your old address.
What if I lost my confirmation code? You will need to cancel in person at a post office with a valid photo ID, since the online tool requires the code to verify your order.
Will canceling stop mail forwarding immediately? For temporary orders, mail resumes to your original address once the cancellation processes. For permanent orders, forwarding may continue until the original order’s expiration, which is why contacting Consumer Affairs is the surest fix.
Is there a fee to cancel? Canceling itself is not the same as filing. For details on what USPS charges to file in the first place, see our guide to the USPS change of address cost.
Getting your mail back on track
Once your order is canceled or corrected, keep an eye on both addresses for a couple of weeks to confirm mail is arriving where it should. If your move is still happening, just on a different timeline, you may want to refile, in which case it helps to know how long mail forwarding lasts before you set new dates. And whether you are moving or staying, remember to update your bank and financial accounts directly rather than relying on forwarding. For the wider moving process, our relocation guide covers the full sequence.
This article is for general informational purposes only. USPS procedures and options are set by the U.S. Postal Service and can change; confirm current steps on usps.com.
