The basic steps to get a money order
To buy a money order, go to a location that sells them — a bank, credit union, post office, grocery store, or check-cashing business — and tell the clerk you want one. Bring cash or a debit card, because most sellers won't take personal checks. You'll tell the clerk the amount you want (usually between $500 and $1,000 per order, though limits vary by seller), and they'll print it for you on the spot. The whole process takes five to ten minutes.
Fill in the payee's name (the person or business receiving the money) and your name as the sender. Sign the back. Then mail it, hand-deliver it, or give it to the payee however you'd normally send a payment. The recipient deposits or cashes it at their bank or a check-cashing place, just like a check.
Key Takeaways
- Money orders are sold at post offices, banks, grocery stores, and check-cashing businesses for a small fee, usually $1 to $3.
- You need to know the payee's name and bring cash or a debit card to buy one.
- Fill in the payee name and your name, sign it, and it's ready to send or deliver.
- Keep your receipt until the money order is cashed, in case you need to track it or cancel it.
Where to buy a money order
Post offices sell money orders in amounts up to $1,000 and charge a flat fee (currently around $1.45, though this can change). Banks and credit unions often sell them to customers for $1 to $3. Grocery stores, Walmart, and other retailers sell them at customer service desks, usually for $1 to $2. Check-cashing businesses also sell them, sometimes at higher fees.
The fee is the only cost beyond the face value of the order itself. If you need more than $1,000, you can buy multiple money orders. Some locations have daily limits on how many you can buy at once, so ask before you go if you need several.
What information you need to provide
You need the payee's name — the exact name of the person or business that will receive the money. If you're paying a company, use their legal business name, not a nickname. If you're paying a person, spell their name the way it appears on their ID or bank account.
You'll also provide your own name as the sender. Some sellers ask for your address. Have your cash or debit card ready. You do not need a bank account or credit history to buy a money order.
How to fill out a money order
The money order has blank lines for "Pay to the Order of" (the payee), "From" or "Sender" (you), and a signature line. Write the payee's name on the "Pay to the Order of" line in clear print or cursive. Write your name on the "From" line. Sign your name on the signature line — this must match the name you wrote on the "From" line.
Some money orders have a memo line where you can write what the payment is for, like "Rent" or "Invoice #12345". This is optional but useful for record-keeping. Do not leave the payee line blank and do not sign it until you know exactly who it's going to.
Keeping track of your money order
When you buy a money order, the seller gives you a receipt with a tracking number printed on it. Keep this receipt until the money order is cashed. The tracking number lets you find out whether it's been deposited and, if needed, request a refund or replacement if it gets lost or stolen.
If the money order doesn't arrive or the recipient says they never got it, contact the seller where you bought it with your receipt and tracking number. They can check the status and, if it hasn't been cashed, can cancel it and issue a replacement or refund. This process usually takes a few weeks.
When to use a money order instead of other payment methods
Money orders are useful when the recipient doesn't want a personal check, when you don't have a bank account, or when you need a record of payment that's more official than cash. Landlords sometimes require them. Utility companies, government agencies, and bail bondsmen often accept them. They're also safer than mailing cash because they can't be used without the payee's endorsement.
Money orders cost more than writing a check (if you have a checking account) but less than a wire transfer. They're slower than electronic payment — delivery takes a few days by mail — but faster and cheaper than a cashier's check if you need something official-looking quickly.
Fees and limits
Fees range from about $1 to $3 per money order, depending on where you buy it. Post offices are usually on the lower end; check-cashing businesses on the higher end. Most sellers cap each money order at $1,000, though a few allow up to $2,500. If you need to send more than the limit, buy multiple money orders.
Some sellers limit how many you can buy in one day or one transaction. This is a fraud-prevention measure. If you need to buy many money orders, ask the seller about their daily limit before you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I make a mistake filling out the money order?
If you haven't signed it yet, ask the seller for a replacement. Most will reissue it for free or a small fee if the error was their fault. If you've already signed it, you'll need to cancel it through the seller and buy a new one, which takes time and may cost a fee.
Can someone else cash my money order if they have it?
No. The payee's name is printed on it, and banks require the person cashing it to have ID matching that name. If it's lost or stolen, contact the seller with your receipt and tracking number to cancel it and get a replacement.
How long does it take for a money order to clear?
Once the recipient deposits it at a bank, it usually clears within one to three business days, the same as a personal check. Delivery by mail takes a few days, so plan accordingly if you're mailing it.
Do I need ID to buy a money order?
Most sellers don't require ID, but some do, especially for large amounts or multiple orders. Call ahead if you're unsure. You always need to provide your name as the sender.
What if the money order gets lost in the mail?
Contact the seller with your receipt and tracking number. They can check whether it's been cashed. If it hasn't, they'll cancel it and issue a replacement, though this can take several weeks.