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Automatic renewal law in Minnesota

Under Minnesota automatic renewal law (Minn. Stat. §§ 325G.56-325G.62), unless you joined by toll-free phone, email or mail, cancelling must be as easy as joining; online sellers need an online cancel. Minnesota's automatic renewal law is a general one. Keep a dated record of your cancellation in case the charges continue.

Last reviewed 4 official sources

What the Minnesota law requires

We read Minn. Stat. §§ 325G.56-325G.62 on the state's official site and list what it requires below. A summary leaves out detail; the linked text is the authority.

Minnesota: Automatic renewal and continuous service agreements

Source: Minn. Stat. §§ 325G.56-325G.62

  • Offer terms must be presented clearly and conspicuously before acceptance, near the offer.
  • Seller must send a retainable confirmation with offer terms, free-trial cancellation info and easy, cost-effective, timely termination options.
  • If sign-up was not by toll-free phone, email or postal address, termination must be substantially similar to and as easy as the sign-up method.
  • Websites with account/subscription management must include an online termination election (checkbox/button or similar).
  • Material changes need prior clear notice and termination information, otherwise they are void and unenforceable.
  • Free trials over 30 days need a reminder 5 to 30 days before the trial ends.
  • Continuous service needs written notice by mail or email at least once per calendar year.
  • Exemptions (325G.62) include contracts under other specific state/federal ARL rules, insurance licensees, certain licensed technology contractors, FCC/PUC/FERC-regulated services and securities registrants.
  • After a cancellation notice, the seller may not make retention offers until the consumer gives permission, and may ask only once per attempt (325G.58).
  • Auto-renewal terminations take effect at the end of the current term; continuous-service terminations within 31 days of a verified notice (325G.59).
  • If the seller sent no confirmation or annual notice, the consumer may cancel by any reasonable means, including mail, email, phone or online (325G.59 subd. 3).
  • Enacted by Laws 2024, ch. 114, art. 3, secs. 55-62 (signed May 21, 2024); the session law makes each section effective January 1, 2025 for contracts entered into, modified or renewed on or after that date.

What the text says, word for word:

How to cancel under Minnesota law

The cancellation route differs by company; see News and magazine subscriptions, Streaming services, Meal kits and The New York Times for the details we hold.

  1. Check how you signed up

    Write down the date you signed up, how you did it and when the next charge is due. Those three facts decide which rule above applies to you.

  2. Use the cancellation route the law protects

    You can cancel at any time using the procedure in your confirmation, which must include an option as easy and accessible as how you signed up and, for sellers with account websites, an online termination election. If no confirmation or annual notice was sent, any reasonable means works, such as mail, email, phone or online. Take a screenshot or keep the email that confirms it.

  3. Back it up with a letter

    A short letter that names Minn. Stat. §§ 325G.56-325G.62 and the date you are cancelling from gives you a dated record. The letter template generator lays it out for you.

  4. If you are billed again

    Reply with your proof and the citation, ask for a refund, and if that fails, dispute the charge with your bank. See what to do when a company keeps charging you.

Where a mailed cancellation letter fits

Online cancellation is the quickest route where the law requires it. A mailed letter with a delivery record proves the date your notice arrived, and it is the route of last resort when an online or phone cancellation fails.

See certified mail for cancellations for the proof each mail service gives you.

Federal rules on top of state law

The federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires online sellers using automatic renewals to provide simple mechanisms to stop recurring charges. The FTC's 2024 click-to-cancel amendments are not in force: on July 8, 2025 the Eighth Circuit vacated them (Custom Communications, Inc. v. FTC, No. 24-3137), on February 12, 2026, in a rule effective that day, the FTC recodified its Negative Option Rule "as it existed before the effective date" of the 2024 amendments (91 FR 6507), and on March 13, 2026 it asked for public comment on "the need for amendments" (91 FR 12318). Our state-by-state overview and the FTC click-to-cancel guide have the details.

Send your cancellation by certified mail

Tell us the company you want to leave. We write a formal cancellation letter, mail it by certified mail the next business day and send you the delivery proof.

Sources

Official pages we read on the review date.

  1. Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 325G.57, subd. 4
  2. Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 325G.60, subd. 2(a)
  3. Minnesota: Minn. Stat. § 325G.58, subd. 4(a)(2)
  4. Minnesota: Laws of Minnesota 2024, ch. 114, art. 3, secs. 55-62

This is general information, not legal advice.