CVS sells money orders at most locations, and the process takes about five minutes
You can walk into a CVS pharmacy, ask for a money order at the customer service desk, and walk out with one the same day. CVS does not require an account, membership, or advance notice. You pay a small fee on top of the amount you want to send — typically between $1 and $2, depending on your state and the money order amount — and CVS handles the transaction on the spot.
Not every CVS location offers money orders. Smaller stores or those in certain areas may not have the service. Call ahead or check the CVS website to confirm your nearest location has a money order counter before you go.
Key Takeaways
- CVS money order fees usually range from $1 to $2, and you pay cash or debit at the time of purchase.
- You need the recipient's name and address, and you fill out the money order form yourself at the counter.
- Money orders at CVS are available during store hours, with no waiting period or credit check.
- Not all CVS locations sell money orders, so confirm availability before making the trip.
- You can send money orders through the mail or hand-deliver them, and the recipient cashes them at a bank or check-cashing service.
What you need to bring to CVS
Bring cash or a debit card to pay for the money order and its fee. You do not need a bank account, ID, or any special documentation — CVS will not ask for these. You do need to know the recipient's name and mailing address before you arrive, because you will write these details on the money order form at the counter.
If you are sending the money order to a business or organization, bring their exact name and address as they want it written. If you are sending it to a person, their full name is enough, though including their address makes delivery more reliable.
How the CVS money order process works
Go to the customer service desk and tell the clerk you want a money order. They will hand you a form to fill out. You write in the amount you want to send, the recipient's name and address, and your own name and address. The form has spaces for all of this — you are not writing on a blank piece of paper.
Once you hand the completed form back to the clerk, they will tell you the total cost (the money order amount plus the fee). You pay in cash or with a debit card. The clerk processes the transaction, gives you the money order, and keeps a record for CVS's records. The whole thing usually takes five to ten minutes.
You then either mail the money order to the recipient or hand it to them in person. The recipient takes it to their bank or a check-cashing service to deposit or cash it. Money orders do not expire, but the longer you wait to send or cash one, the more time passes before the money reaches its destination.
CVS money order fees and limits
CVS money order fees vary by state and sometimes by individual store. Most locations charge between $1 and $2 per money order. A few states have different fee structures, so call your local CVS to ask what they charge before you go.
The maximum amount you can send in a single CVS money order is usually $500 to $1,000, depending on your state. If you need to send more than that, you can buy multiple money orders. There is no limit to how many you can purchase in one visit, but each one will have its own fee.
Why use CVS instead of other places
CVS is convenient because most people live near one, and you can get a money order during regular store hours without planning ahead. Banks also sell money orders, but you have to be a customer and go during business hours, which are often shorter than CVS hours. Post offices sell money orders too, but lines can be long and hours are limited.
Money orders are safer than sending cash through the mail because they can be replaced if lost or stolen, and the recipient cannot cash one without signing the back. If you need to send money to someone you do not know well or to a distant address, a money order is more secure than a personal check or cash.
What happens after you buy the money order
You are responsible for getting the money order to the recipient. You can mail it, which usually takes three to seven business days depending on distance. You can also hand-deliver it if the recipient is local. Either way, do not lose the money order before it reaches them — treat it like cash.
The recipient takes the money order to their bank or a check-cashing service and signs the back. The bank or service deposits or cashes it, and the money appears in their account or is paid out in cash. There is no waiting period on the recipient's end — most banks and check-cashing services process money orders the same day.
Keep your receipt from CVS for your records. If the money order is lost or stolen before the recipient cashes it, you can contact CVS with your receipt and they can help you get a replacement or refund, though this process takes time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order at CVS with a credit card?
Most CVS locations only accept cash or debit cards for money orders. Credit cards are usually not accepted because money orders are considered cash equivalents. Call your local CVS to confirm their payment methods before you go.
What if I make a mistake filling out the money order form?
Tell the clerk immediately. They can void the form and issue you a new one. You will not be charged twice — the fee covers one money order. Do not try to cross out or erase mistakes yourself, as this can make the money order invalid.
How do I know if my money order was cashed?
Keep your CVS receipt. If the recipient says they never received the money order or it was lost in the mail, you can contact CVS with your receipt and they can research whether it was cashed. This process can take several weeks.
Can I cancel a money order after I buy it?
Yes, but only if it has not been cashed. Go back to CVS with your receipt and ask them to cancel it. They will issue a refund minus the fee you already paid. If the money order has already been cashed by the recipient, you cannot cancel it.
Is there a limit to how many money orders I can buy at once?
CVS does not set a limit on the number of money orders you can purchase in one transaction. However, each money order has its own fee, and you will need to fill out a separate form for each one. If you are buying many, allow extra time at the counter.