Where to buy a money order and what to bring

You can buy a money order at a bank, the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, grocery stores, check-cashing businesses, and some convenience stores. Not every location sells them, so call ahead or check their website if you have a specific place in mind. You will need cash or a debit card, and you should know the exact amount you want to send — most places won't let you change it after you've paid.

Bring a valid photo ID. Banks and check-cashing businesses always require one. The post office requires ID for money orders over $3,000. Retailers like Walmart usually ask for ID but may not require it for smaller amounts; policies vary by location and state.

Key Takeaways

  • Money orders cost between $0.50 and $5 depending on the amount and where you buy them, with post offices and banks typically charging less than retailers.
  • You pay the face value of the money order plus a fee upfront — there is no credit or layaway option.
  • Fill in the recipient's name in the "Pay to the Order of" line before you leave the counter, and keep your receipt until the money order is cashed.
  • Money orders can be replaced if lost or stolen, but you will need your receipt and proof of non-delivery, which takes weeks.

How much money orders cost

The fee varies by where you buy the money order and how much it is for. U.S. Postal Service money orders cost $1.45 for amounts up to $500 and $1.95 for $500.01 to $1,000. Banks typically charge $5 to $10 per money order, though some waive the fee for account holders. Walmart charges around $0.88 for amounts up to $1,000. Check-cashing businesses and convenience stores fall somewhere in between, usually $1 to $3.

You pay the fee and the face value together at the time of purchase. If you want to send $500, you will hand over $501.45 at the post office, or $505 to $510 at a bank. There is no way to defer the cost or pay it later.

The step-by-step process at the counter

Tell the cashier or teller you want to buy a money order and how much. They will give you a form or direct you to fill one out. Write the recipient's full name on the line marked "Pay to the Order of" — this is the person or business who will cash it. Write your name and address on the line marked "From" or "Purchaser." Some forms ask for a memo line; this is optional and just for your records.

Hand the completed form and your payment to the cashier. They will run it through their system, print the money order, and give you a receipt. The receipt is your proof of purchase and your only way to track or replace the money order if something goes wrong. Keep it in a safe place until you know the money order has been cashed.

Do not leave the counter without filling in the recipient's name. If you leave it blank, anyone who finds it can cash it. Some people intentionally leave it blank to use as cash, but that defeats the security purpose of a money order.

What information goes on a money order

A money order has several lines, and only some of them are required. The "Pay to the Order of" line must have the recipient's name — a business name, a person's full name, or both if it is a joint account. The "From" or "Purchaser" line should have your name and address so the recipient knows who sent it. The memo line is optional; use it to note what the payment is for (rent, invoice 12345, tuition, etc.), but it is not required.

Do not write anything in the amount boxes or the serial number area — those are printed by the issuer. Some money orders have a stub on the left side that you tear off and keep; this is your receipt. Others print the receipt separately. Either way, do not throw away your proof of purchase.

How to send the money order once you have it

You can mail it, hand it to the recipient in person, or give it to someone else to deliver. Money orders are safer than cash in the mail because they are made out to a specific person and cannot be cashed by anyone else — in theory. In practice, someone with the money order and a forged ID might be able to cash it, so mailing is riskier than handing it over in person.

If you mail it, use regular mail or certified mail with tracking. Certified mail costs more but gives you proof of delivery and a signature from the recipient. Regular mail is cheaper but offers no tracking. Either way, keep your receipt until the recipient confirms they received it and cashed it.

What to do if a money order is lost, stolen, or not cashed

If a money order goes missing or is never cashed, you can request a replacement, but the process is slow. Contact the issuer — the post office, bank, or retailer where you bought it — with your receipt. They will ask you to fill out a form and provide proof that the money order was not delivered or cashed. This proof usually means a signed statement from the recipient saying they never received it, or a bank statement showing it was never deposited.

The issuer will then investigate, which can take four to eight weeks. If they confirm the money order was not cashed, they will issue a replacement. You will not get a refund of the fee you paid the first time. This is why keeping your receipt is critical — without it, you have no way to prove you bought the money order or to request a replacement.

Money orders versus other payment methods

A money order is more secure than cash or a personal check because it is drawn on the issuer's account, not yours, and the recipient knows the funds are may provide. It is less convenient than a debit card or bank transfer because you have to go somewhere to buy it and pay a fee. It is faster than a check because most recipients can cash it immediately without waiting for it to clear.

If you are sending money to someone you do not know or do not fully trust, a money order is safer than cash. If you are paying a bill or rent to an established business, a bank transfer or online payment is usually faster and cheaper. If you do not have a bank account, a money order is a straightforward way to send funds without one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a money order with a credit card?

Most places do not accept credit cards for money orders because they consider it a cash advance. The post office, banks, and most retailers require cash or a debit card. A few check-cashing businesses may accept credit cards, but they will charge an additional fee.

What happens if I write the wrong amount on a money order?

The printed amount is what matters, not what you write. If you write the wrong amount in the memo line or make a mistake on the form before it is printed, tell the cashier immediately and they can void it and issue a new one. Once it is printed and you leave the counter, you cannot change it.

Can someone else cash a money order if I write their name on it?

Yes, if you write their name in the "Pay to the Order of" line, only they can cash it — or someone with their ID and a forged endorsement. This is why money orders are safer than cash for sending money through the mail or giving to someone you do not know well.

Do I need to endorse a money order when I receive one?

Yes. On the back of the money order, sign your name on the line marked "Endorse here" or similar. Some banks or check-cashing businesses may also ask you to write your ID number. This proves you are the person named on the front and authorizes the cash to be released to you.

How long does a money order stay valid?

Money orders do not expire, but some issuers charge a fee if you do not cash it within a certain period — usually one to three years. Check your receipt or the money order itself for the issuer's policy. If a money order is very old and the issuer is out of business, cashing it may be difficult.