Guide

How to stop mail for a deceased person

How to stop junk mail, prescription mail, and credit offers sent to a deceased relative. Free and paid options compared.

Register the deceased with the Deceased Do Not Contact list at DMAchoice.org to remove their name from most national marketing files within three months. Notify the three credit bureaus separately to stop pre-approved credit offers, and forward or return remaining first-class mail through USPS.

Step by step

  1. Register with DMAchoice

    Add the deceased to the Deceased Do Not Contact list at DMAchoice.org. Most national marketing mail stops within three months.

  2. Notify the credit bureaus

    Send a death certificate to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This stops pre-approved credit offers and starts a deceased flag on the file.

  3. Forward or return remaining mail

    File a USPS forwarding order to the executor's address, or return marked items as deceased.

  4. Cancel subscriptions

    Cancel magazines, streaming, and recurring deliveries directly. Subscriptions do not appear in the DMA file.

Common questions

How long does it take?

DMAchoice removes the name within about three months. Credit bureau updates are typically faster, within a few weeks.

Is the service free?

DMAchoice charges a small one-time fee. Credit bureau notifications are free.

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