Change an advertising salutation after a divorce

Ask the sender to change the name on its promotional mailing record and stop using the joint salutation. Say that the request covers only advertising mail. Name changes with a bank, employer or government agency go through their own channels, so this request does not need to mention them.

By Junk Mail Magic. Updated October 2, 2026.

Correct the promotional record

Copy the name line from the mailer exactly as printed, such as two first names or a shared family name.
Pick one outcome for each sender: remove the joint line, show your name in a new form, or stop the mail.
Use the sender's official contact page or mailing-preferences option. Ask which contact handles promotional mail if that is not clear.
Say that you are not asking to change an account, a billing address or a legal record.
Keep the date of your request. If the old salutation shows up on later mail, send the sender the exact name line it used.

Send only what the request needs

A sender's promotional list and its customer accounts may be separate records. Ask whether changing one will change the other. Do not include a court order, an identity document or financial details with a marketing request. If a sender asks for any of these, use its official account channel instead.

If the joint line also includes the other adult's name, ask only about your own name. They can decide about theirs.

Sample salutation request

Example for your own use. Replace the bracketed details and review what you share.

Please update the promotional mailing record for [name as printed] at [address]. Please remove the joint salutation and show my name as [preferred name], or tell me if you can only stop this mailing. This request covers advertising mail only. It does not change any account, billing address or legal name record.

Check the account side separately

If you also have an account with this sender, check the name it uses for statements through the account's own settings or customer service. Keep that change separate from the advertising request. You can then see which record each reply refers to.

Official source

FTC: How To Stop Junk Mail

Keep a marketing request separate from a billing address change Update advertising preferences after a name change Review joint marketing records after a separation Family milestones All practical mail guides

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