Mailing Preference Service: How to Stop Junk Mail in the UK
The MPS is a free way to cut junk post addressed to you by name. It does not stop leaflets or post for “the occupier”, so a few extra steps help.
By Siddharth ShankarUpdated October 18, 2026Register free at mpsonline.org.uk to stop direct marketing mail sent to your name and address. It can take up to three months to work. It does not stop unaddressed leaflets, mail for “The Occupier” or mail from overseas. For those, use Royal Mail’s door-to-door opt-out, contact senders directly and opt out of the open electoral register.
Before you start opt-outs, see which known data breaches already include your email.
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Junk post that arrives with your name on it usually comes from marketing lists. Your details get onto those lists from loyalty schemes, competitions, online orders and the open version of the electoral register. The Mailing Preference Service, or MPS, is the official way to ask marketers to stop.
What the MPS is
According to the Mailing Preference Service, it is a free, official register for opting out of unsolicited direct marketing mail. It is run by the Data and Marketing Association (DMA). Marketers check it so they do not send mail to people who have opted out.
How to register
1Go to the official site
Visit mpsonline.org.uk and choose Register.
2Add each name at your address
Register every person in the household who gets junk mail.
3Wait up to three months
The MPS says it can take up to three months to take effect.
What the MPS stops
It stops direct marketing mail sent to your name and address from companies that check the register.
Removal is one half of the job. Check whether your email has leaked as well.
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What it does not stop
- Unaddressed leaflets and menus.
- Mail addressed to The Occupier.
- Mail from overseas.
Mail from companies you already deal with may also continue. If so, contact the company and ask it to stop sending marketing.
Extra steps that cut junk post further
1Opt out of the open electoral register
The open register can be sold to marketers. You can opt out through your local council without affecting your right to vote.
2Stop unaddressed mail from Royal Mail
Royal Mail runs a separate door-to-door opt-out for unaddressed items it delivers.
3Ask companies directly
Under UK GDPR you can object to direct marketing at any time, and the company must stop. See our guide to UK GDPR erasure requests.
4Find out where they got your data
A subject access request can reveal what a company holds about you and where it came from.
Where junk mail lists come from
- Loyalty cards, prize draws and surveys that include marketing consent.
- Online orders where sharing with partners was ticked by default.
- The open electoral register.
- Companies that bought customer lists from other businesses.
Knowing the source helps you stop the flow. If you keep getting post from one company, a subject access request can tell you where it got your details.
Junk mail for someone who has died
If you receive marketing post addressed to someone who has died, the Bereavement Register and similar services can help reduce it. Contacting senders directly also works. Mail for the deceased can be a target for identity fraud, so it is worth stopping quickly.
Does the MPS stop email or texts?
No. The MPS only covers addressed post. For marketing emails, unsubscribe from senders you recognise and mark the rest as spam. For texts, forward spam to 7726. For calls, use the Telephone Preference Service.
Moving house
When you move, junk mail for previous residents often continues. Mark it return to sender with a note that the person has moved, and register yourself with the MPS at your new address.
Junk mail and your digital footprint
Your postal address on marketing lists is closely linked to your online data. The same brokers that sell mailing lists often supply people-search and marketing databases. See what data brokers are and why they have your information. For cold calls, use the Telephone Preference Service.
Sources
- Mailing Preference Service (DMA) (free register, what it stops and does not, up to three months)
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mailing Preference Service free?
Yes. Registering with the MPS is free.
How long does the MPS take to work?
Up to three months, according to the MPS.
Does it stop leaflets and takeaway menus?
No. Unaddressed mail is not covered. Royal Mail has a separate door-to-door opt-out for items it delivers.
Will it stop post from my bank or shops I use?
Not always. Contact companies you already deal with and ask them to stop marketing.
Does opting out of the open register affect my vote?
No. The open register is a separate version used for marketing. Opting out does not affect your right to vote.
See if your email has already leaked
- Checks your email against known data breaches
- Shows which sites leaked it, when, and what leaked
- We do not store the email you check
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