Fill out the money order in this order: payee name, amount in numbers, amount in words, your name, date, and memo line

A Walmart money order has blank fields printed on the form. You fill them in with a pen (not pencil) before you pay for it at the register. The order matters because some fields feed into others — the amount you write in numbers, for example, must match the amount you write out in words, or the recipient may refuse it.

The cashier will not verify that your handwriting matches or that the amounts agree. That is your responsibility. If you make a mistake, ask for a new form — do not cross anything out or use correction fluid.

Key Takeaways

  • Write the recipient's name on the "Pay to the Order of" line exactly as they gave it to you, including any middle initials or suffixes.
  • Write the dollar amount twice: once in the box with the dollar sign (numbers only) and once on the line below it (spelled out in words).
  • Sign the money order in the "From" or "Purchaser" box with your full name, the same way you sign checks.
  • The date, memo line, and stub are optional, but filling them in helps you track the money order if there is a problem later.
  • Keep the stub (the part that stays with you) until the recipient confirms they received and cashed the money order.

The "Pay to the Order of" line: who the money goes to

Write the name of the person or business who will cash the money order. This is the most important field. Use the exact name they gave you — if they said "John Smith Jr." write "John Smith Jr.", not "John Smith" or "J. Smith". If it is a business, write the legal business name, not a shortened version.

Do not leave this line blank and fill it in later. A blank money order can be cashed by anyone who gets their hands on it. If you make a mistake, throw the form away and start over with a new one.

The amount boxes: numbers and words must match

Walmart money orders have two places to write the amount. The first is a small box with a dollar sign — write only the numbers here, like "50.00" or "125.50". Do not write the dollar sign again; it is already printed.

The second is a longer line below it where you write out the amount in words: "Fifty dollars" or "One hundred twenty-five dollars and fifty cents". This line protects against fraud. If the numbers and words do not match, the bank will reject the money order or hold it while they investigate.

If you are sending a whole dollar amount with no cents, you can write "Fifty dollars and no cents" or "Fifty dollars only". Both are correct. Do not write "Fifty dollars and 00 cents" — that looks like you tried to hide something.

Your name and signature: the "From" section

Write your full name on the line marked "From," "Purchaser," or "Sender" — the exact label varies by money order form. Sign your name in the signature box the same way you sign checks or legal documents. Print your name below the signature if there is a line for it.

This tells the recipient and the bank who bought the money order. If there is ever a dispute, the bank can trace it back to you. Do not sign before you fill in the payee name and amount — if you sign a blank form and then lose it, someone else can cash it.

Date and memo: optional but useful

The date line is optional at most Walmart locations, but filling it in is a good habit. Write the date you are buying the money order, not a future date. The memo line (sometimes labeled "For" or "Memo") is where you write why you are sending it — "Rent for March" or "Car payment" — so both you and the recipient have a record.

These fields do not affect whether the money order works. They exist so you can track what the money was for if you need to look back at your records or if the recipient loses the money order and needs proof of what it was supposed to cover.

The stub: keep it until the money order is cashed

The stub is the part of the form that stays with you. It has the same information as the money order itself — payee name, amount, date, your name. Write the same information on the stub that you wrote on the money order, or at least the amount and payee name.

Keep the stub in a safe place until the recipient tells you they have cashed the money order. If the money order gets lost in the mail or the recipient says they never got it, you will need the stub to file a claim with Walmart. Without it, you have no proof you sent it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not use pencil — use pen, preferably black or blue ink. Pencil can be erased, which makes the money order look fraudulent. Do not cross out mistakes or use white-out. If you make an error, ask the cashier for a new form and throw away the old one.

Do not post-date the money order (write a future date). Money orders are supposed to be cashed right away. Do not leave the payee line blank. Do not write an amount in words that does not match the numbers. Do not sign before you fill in the other fields. Any of these will cause the recipient to reject it or the bank to hold it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I make a mistake after I have already signed?

Ask the cashier for a new money order form. Do not try to fix it with pen, pencil, or correction fluid — banks and recipients will refuse it because it looks altered. Walmart will charge you for the new form, but it is worth it to avoid the money order being rejected.

Can I write the payee name in all capital letters?

Yes. Capital letters are actually clearer and less likely to be misread. Write it however is easiest for you to read back and verify before you hand it to the cashier.

What if the amount in words does not fit on the line?

Write as much as you can fit, then continue on the next line if there is space. If the form does not have room, ask the cashier for a new form and try writing the words more compactly — "One hundred twenty-five dollars fifty cents" instead of "One hundred and twenty-five dollars and fifty cents."

Do I have to fill in the memo line?

No, it is optional. But filling it in helps you remember what the money was for and gives the recipient context. It takes 10 seconds and can save confusion later.

What happens if the recipient loses the money order after I send it?

They can file a claim with Walmart using the money order number (printed on both the money order and your stub). You can also file a claim if you have your stub. Walmart will investigate and either reissue the money order or refund you, but it takes time — usually several weeks.