Automatic renewal law in Vermont

These are the rules in 9 V.S.A. § 2454a that matter when a subscription or membership renews on its own. The official text is one click away if your contract is unusual.

In the law's own words:

• “if the consumer accepted the contract online, permit the consumer to terminate the contract exclusively online” (9 V.S.A. § 2454a(b)(2))
• “a toll-free telephone number, e-mail address, a postal address if the seller or lessor directly bills the consumer, or another cost-effective, timely, and easy-to-use mechanism for canceling the contract” (9 V.S.A. § 2454a(b)(1))
• “in addition to accepting the contract, the consumer takes an affirmative action to opt in to the automatic renewal provision” (9 V.S.A. § 2454a(a)(2))
• “not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the earliest of” (9 V.S.A. § 2454a(a)(3)(A))

Our company guides show how each business takes cancellations and where to write, for example Streaming services, Gym memberships, Software subscriptions and Hulu.

1. 1

   Check how you signed up

   Look up the sign-up confirmation and the renewal date. Under Vermont law the way you joined matters for how you can leave.

2. 2

   Cancel through the protected channel

   For covered contracts (initial term of one year or longer), the seller must give a toll-free number, email, postal address (if it bills you directly) or another easy way to cancel. If you accepted online, you must be able to cancel exclusively online. Keep whatever confirmation the business gives you.

3. 3

   Back it up with a letter

   Send a written notice that cites 9 V.S.A. § 2454a, your account details and the end date you want. Our cancellation letter template has the layout.

4. 4

   If you are billed again

   Contact the business with your dated proof first, then your card issuer. The steps are in when a company keeps charging after you cancel.

Vermont's law tells the business which cancellation routes it must offer. A letter sent with tracking adds what an online click often lacks: a dated, third-party record that you asked to cancel, which card issuers and state consumer offices can check.

Certified mail for cancellations explains what each delivery record proves.

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.