Is a mailed cancellation letter legally valid?
Short answer
A mailed letter is a recognized way to give written notice, and many agreements ask for notice in writing. Whether a particular company must act on a mailed letter depends on your agreement and the law that applies to it, so check the cancellation or notice section of your agreement.
Start with your agreement
Look for the words “cancellation”, “termination” or “notice” in your terms. Some agreements name a mailing address for notices. Some, such as many gym contracts, ask for cancellation in writing. A signed letter meets a written-notice requirement.
What federal law adds
Sellers who charge you on a recurring basis for something sold online must give you simple mechanisms to stop the recurring charges. A dated letter that the company signed for is a record that you asked them to stop.
Why certified mail matters
Certified Mail with Return Receipt is evidence that your letter was delivered, to whom and on which date. It proves delivery, not what was inside the envelope, which is why you also get a copy of the exact letter we mailed.
State rules
Many states have their own rules for automatic renewals and consumer contracts. Your state attorney general’s consumer protection office can tell you which apply to you.
Sources: 15 U.S.C. § 8403 (Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act); USPS Domestic Mail Manual 503, 3.1 Certified Mail and 6.1 Return Receipt
This page is general information, not legal advice.
Read the full guide
Related questions
- What delivery proof do I get?The signed record of who received your letter, and when.
- What if the company says it never got my letter?Send them the signed delivery proof. It shows who signed and when.
- What if the company keeps charging me?Check the dates, ask for a refund in writing, then dispute the charge.