The basic steps to get a money order

To get a money order, you go to a retailer or bank that sells them, pay the amount you want to send plus a small fee, and receive a slip of paper that works like a check. You fill in who the money goes to (the payee), sign it, and either mail it or hand it over. The person receiving it takes it to their bank or a retailer to cash it or deposit it.

The whole process takes about five minutes. You do not need a bank account, and the money order is safer than sending cash through the mail because it can only be cashed by the person whose name is on it.

Key Takeaways

  • Money orders are sold at banks, post offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing shops, with fees typically between $1 and $5 depending on the amount.
  • You need to know the exact amount you are sending and have the recipient's name spelled correctly before you buy the money order.
  • Fill in the payee name, sign the money order, and keep your receipt until the recipient confirms they received and cashed it.
  • Money orders have limits — most retailers cap them at $500 to $1,000 per order, so sending larger amounts requires multiple money orders.

Where to buy a money order

The most common places are the U.S. Postal Service, your bank, Walmart, grocery stores with customer service desks, and check-cashing shops. Post offices and banks are reliable if you want to be certain the money order is legitimate. Walmart and grocery stores are faster if you are already shopping there. Check-cashing shops are open longer hours, often including evenings and weekends.

Call ahead if you are going to a bank — some branches have limits on how many they sell per day or require you to be a customer. Post offices rarely have this problem. Avoid buying money orders from gas stations or convenience stores unless you know the location well; some sell legitimate ones, but others have been involved in fraud schemes.

What information you need before you go

Have the exact amount ready. Know the full name of the person or business the money is going to — spell it the way they spell it, because the money order will only be cashed by someone with that exact name. If you are sending it to a business, use the business name as it appears on their invoices or website.

You will also need a valid ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some retailers ask for your address. If you are sending the money order to someone, get their mailing address before you leave home so you can write it on the envelope correctly.

How to fill out a money order

The money order has blank lines for four pieces of information. The payee line is where you write the name of the person or business receiving the money — this is the most important line because only that person can cash it. Write clearly and spell the name exactly as it appears on their ID or business registration.

The memo line is optional and is for you to note what the money is for — for example, "rent for March" or "invoice 12345". This helps both you and the recipient keep track of what the payment was for. The signature line is where you sign your name — do not leave this blank. The sender line is where you write your name and address so the recipient knows who sent it.

Do not fill in the amount — the cashier does that. Do not write anything in boxes marked for bank use only. Keep your receipt, which shows the money order number and the amount. You will need this if you have to report that the money order never arrived.

Money order limits and fees

Most retailers limit each money order to $500 or $1,000, depending on the seller. If you need to send more than that, you buy multiple money orders. For example, to send $2,500, you would buy five $500 money orders or three $1,000 money orders plus one $500 money order.

Fees range from about $1 to $5 per money order. The U.S. Postal Service typically charges $1.45 to $2.00. Banks often charge $3 to $5. Walmart and grocery stores are usually $0.70 to $2.00. Check-cashing shops vary widely. The fee is added to the amount you pay — if you want to send $500 and the fee is $2, you pay $502 total.

How to send a money order safely

If you are mailing it, put the money order inside an envelope with a letter explaining what it is for. Do not write the money order number on the outside of the envelope. Use first-class mail or certified mail with tracking so you know when it arrives. Certified mail costs more but gives you proof of delivery and a tracking number.

If you are handing it to someone in person, have them sign a receipt or write down the money order number so you both have a record. If the money order is lost or stolen before it is cashed, you can report it to the seller using your receipt and the money order number, and they will issue a replacement — but this process takes weeks.

What to do if something goes wrong

If the recipient says they never received the money order, check your receipt for the money order number and the date. Contact the seller where you bought it and report it missing. They will put a trace on it to see if it was cashed. If it was not cashed, they will issue a replacement, usually after 30 to 60 days.

If the money order was cashed by someone other than the intended recipient, report it to the seller immediately. This is rare because money orders require the recipient to sign, but it can happen if someone forges a signature. The seller may investigate, but recovery is not may provide. This is why keeping your receipt and getting confirmation from the recipient is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a money order after I buy it?

Yes, but only if you have not mailed it yet. Go back to the seller with your receipt and ask for a refund or replacement. Most sellers will do this, though some charge a small fee. If you have already mailed it, you cannot cancel it — you have to report it missing and wait for a replacement.

What if I make a mistake filling it out?

Do not try to cross out or white-out a mistake. Go back to the seller and ask for a replacement. Most will give you a new one for free if you have the receipt and the original money order. Some sellers will not accept a money order with corrections written on it.

Is a money order the same as a cashier's check?

No. A cashier's check is issued by a bank and is larger amounts, usually $500 and up. A money order is smaller and sold at many retailers. Both are safer than personal checks because the money is may provide, but cashier's checks are used for bigger transactions like down payments on homes.

Can I use a money order to pay bills online?

No. Money orders are physical paper only. If a company asks you to pay by money order, you mail it to them. If you need to pay a bill online, use a debit card, credit card, or bank transfer instead.

What happens if the payee name is spelled wrong?

The money order can only be cashed by someone whose ID matches the name exactly as written. If you misspell it, the recipient cannot cash it. You have to get a replacement from the seller. This is why double-checking the spelling before you buy is important.