The right move depends on what kind of mail it is. Find yours below.
Letter, bill or statement
Write “Not at this address,” don’t cover the address, and put it back. The sender gets it back and can update its records.
Delivered to the wrong house
Don’t write on it. Put it back in your mailbox or hand it to your carrier.
Ad marked “Return Service Requested”
Or “Address” or “Change Service Requested.” Mark it “Not at this address” and put it back. The sender asked to be told.
Catalog or offer, no such line
Ask the company to remove the name from your address. Returned ad mail is usually discarded. Copy our request →
“[Name] or Current Resident”
Ask the company to stop mailing your address. Removing the name alone won’t stop it.
“Postal Customer” flyers
Nothing reliable stops these. They go to every home on the route.
Redelivery notice for someone else
Check “Other,” write “Refused,” and leave it for your carrier.
Don’t
Don’t open or destroy mail addressed to someone else. The Postal Service notes this may be illegal. Marking and returning it is enough.
A tip some carriers welcome
Leave a short note inside your mailbox listing who lives there. Practice varies by carrier, but it can help with the obvious mismatches.
Making it stop for good: How to stop mail for previous residents →
Or let us do it: Move-in Reset
Forward us your free USPS Informed Delivery preview. We spot former residents’ names, ask each mailer to drop them, and follow up until the mail stops. Mail from companies you use is never touched without your yes.
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