The basic steps to send a money order

To send a money order, you buy one at a bank, post office, or retailer, fill in the recipient's name and your name, and mail it or hand it to them. The recipient then takes it to their bank or a check-cashing location to deposit or cash it. The whole process takes minutes to buy, but delivery depends on how you send it — same day if you hand it over, or several days if you mail it.

A money order works like a prepaid check. You pay the full amount upfront (the money order amount plus a small fee), so the recipient knows the funds are may provide. Unlike a personal check, it cannot bounce. This makes it safer than cash for sending money through the mail, and safer than a check for the person receiving it.

Key Takeaways

  • Money orders are sold at post offices, banks, Walmart, grocery stores, and check-cashing shops, with fees typically between $1 and $5 depending on the amount and location.
  • You must fill in the recipient's name in the "Pay to the Order of" field and your name as the sender, or the money order cannot be cashed.
  • Most money orders have a maximum amount per order (often $500 to $1,000), so sending large sums requires buying multiple money orders.
  • Mailed money orders take three to seven business days to arrive, so plan ahead if the recipient needs the funds quickly.
  • Keep your receipt until the recipient confirms they received and cashed the money order, in case you need to file a claim for a lost or stolen one.

Where to buy a money order

The U.S. Postal Service sells money orders at every post office location. Banks and credit unions often sell them to customers, though some charge higher fees or require an account. Walmart, grocery stores with financial services counters, and check-cashing shops all sell money orders — Walmart is usually the cheapest option for non-customers.

Call ahead if you are buying a large amount, because some locations keep only a limited supply of blank money orders in stock. If you need to send money on a weekend or evening, a 24-hour Walmart or grocery store is often your only option, since post offices and banks have limited hours.

How to fill out a money order correctly

The money order form has several fields. The "Pay to the Order of" line is where you write the recipient's full name — this is the only person who can cash it. Write clearly and spell the name exactly as they would sign it on a check. If you make a mistake, ask for a new one; most sellers will not accept corrections on money orders.

The "From" or "Purchaser" field is where you write your name and address. This is how the recipient knows who sent it, and it is also used if the money order is lost and you need to file a claim. Some money orders have a memo line where you can write what the payment is for — rent, loan payment, tuition — but this is optional.

Do not sign the money order yourself. The recipient signs it when they cash or deposit it, just like a check. Signing it before you send it can cause problems if it is lost or stolen.

Fees and maximum amounts

Money order fees vary by location and amount. The U.S. Postal Service charges between $1.45 and $2.00 depending on whether the amount is under or over $500. Walmart typically charges $0.70 to $0.88. Banks may charge $5 to $10 or waive the fee for account holders. Check-cashing shops often charge $2 to $5.

Most money orders have a maximum amount per order. The postal service caps them at $1,000. Banks and retailers may allow up to $500 or $1,000 per order. If you need to send more than the limit, you buy multiple money orders — each one has its own fee. For very large amounts, a cashier's check or bank transfer is usually cheaper and faster.

Mailing a money order safely

Never send cash through the mail, but a money order is reasonably safe because it is not negotiable until the recipient's name is filled in. Still, mail it in a regular envelope with a stamp, not a package or anything that looks valuable. Do not write "money order" on the outside of the envelope.

Delivery typically takes three to seven business days depending on distance and mail volume. If the recipient needs the money urgently, hand-deliver it or use a faster method like a wire transfer or mobile payment app. If you are mailing it across the country, assume five to seven days and plan accordingly.

Keep your receipt with the money order number and amount until the recipient tells you they received and cashed it. If a money order goes missing, you can file a claim with the issuer using the receipt and the money order number. The process usually takes 30 to 60 days, so this is not a fast solution if the money is needed right away.

What the recipient needs to do

The person receiving the money order can cash it at a bank, credit union, check-cashing shop, or some retailers like Walmart. They will need to sign the back of the money order and show a photo ID. If they have a bank account, depositing it is usually free and takes one to two business days to clear.

If the money order is lost or damaged before they cash it, they should contact you immediately so you can file a claim. The issuer will need the receipt number and details about when and where it was bought. This is why keeping your receipt is important — without it, the claim process is much harder.

When a money order does not arrive or gets lost

If the recipient says they never got the money order, check with them first about whether it might have been delivered to a different address or held at their post office. If it truly is lost, contact the issuer (the post office, bank, or retailer where you bought it) with your receipt and the money order number.

The issuer will research whether the money order was cashed. If it was not, they will issue a replacement or refund. If it was cashed by someone else, you have a fraud claim, though recovery is difficult. This is why keeping your receipt and the money order number is critical — without them, the issuer cannot help you.

The investigation and replacement process usually takes 30 to 60 days. During this time, the funds are tied up. If the recipient needs the money urgently, you may need to send it again by a faster method while the claim is being processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send a money order to someone in another country?

Domestic money orders only work within the United States. For international transfers, you need an international money order or wire transfer. International money orders are slower and more expensive, and not all countries accept them. A wire transfer through a bank or service like Western Union is usually faster and more reliable for sending money abroad.

What if I fill in the wrong name on the money order?

If you make a mistake before you leave the seller, ask for a replacement — most sellers will issue a new one at no extra charge. If you already left, you cannot fix it. The money order can only be cashed by the person whose name is on it, so you would need to contact that person and ask them to sign it over to the correct recipient, which is complicated and not always possible.

Do I need a bank account to buy a money order?

No. You can buy a money order at the post office, Walmart, or a check-cashing shop without a bank account. You just need cash or a debit card to pay for it. Some banks require an account to sell you one, but plenty of other places do not.

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). After that, the funds may be turned over to the state as unclaimed property. If you are sending a money order, tell the recipient to cash it within a few months to avoid any issues.

Can I cancel a money order after I buy it?

Yes, but only if it has not been cashed. Contact the issuer with your receipt and money order number. They will verify it has not been cashed and issue a refund, minus a cancellation fee (usually $1 to $5). If it has already been cashed, you cannot cancel it — you would need to contact the person who cashed it and ask them to return the funds.