How to track a USPS money order

You can track a US Postal Service money order using the receipt you received when you bought it. The receipt has a serial number printed on it — this is what USPS uses to look up the money order in their system. Go to the USPS website, find the money order tracking tool, enter that serial number, and you'll see whether the money order has been cashed and by whom.

The tracking process works because USPS keeps a record of every money order sold and every one that's been presented for payment. When someone cashes the money order at a post office, bank, or check-cashing location, that transaction gets logged. The system then shows you the status: whether it's still outstanding, has been cashed, or has been refunded.

You need the receipt to track. If you lost it, USPS can still help, but the process takes longer and requires you to visit a post office in person with identification and details about the money order (the amount, approximate date purchased, and the post office where you bought it).

Key Takeaways

  • The serial number on your money order receipt is what you enter into the USPS tracking system to check its status.
  • USPS shows you whether the money order has been cashed, is still outstanding, or has been refunded.
  • If you don't have the receipt, you can visit a post office with ID and details about the money order to request a trace.
  • Tracking is free and available through the USPS website or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS.
  • A money order typically shows as cashed within one to three business days of being presented for payment, depending on where it was cashed.

Where to find the serial number

The serial number appears on the receipt USPS gives you when you purchase the money order. It's a long number, usually printed in the upper right corner or along the top of the receipt. Write it down or take a photo of the receipt before you send the money order to someone else — you'll need this number if you ever need to track it.

The money order itself also has a serial number printed on it, but you don't need that one. The receipt is what matters for tracking purposes. If you're trying to track a money order someone sent to you, ask the sender for their receipt number.

Using the USPS tracking website

Go to usps.com and look for the money order tracking tool. It's usually listed under "Track & Manage" or in the main navigation. Click on "Track a Money Order," enter your serial number from the receipt, and click search. The system will show you the current status within seconds.

The status will display one of three outcomes: the money order is still outstanding (hasn't been cashed yet), it has been cashed (and the date it was cashed), or it has been refunded. If it shows as cashed, you'll also see the location where it was cashed — either a specific post office or a bank or check-cashing business.

If the tracking tool doesn't recognize your serial number, double-check that you've entered it correctly. Numbers can be hard to read on receipts, especially if the ink is faded. If you're still having trouble, call USPS customer service at 1-800-ASK-USPS and provide your receipt number over the phone.

What the status results mean

Outstanding means the money order has been issued and is still in circulation — the person you sent it to hasn't cashed it yet. This is normal if you sent it recently or if the recipient hasn't had time to deposit it.

Cashed means someone presented the money order for payment and it went through. The system will show the date it was cashed and the location. Once a money order is cashed, the funds are gone from USPS's control — they've been paid out to whoever presented it.

Refunded means you requested a refund from USPS and they processed it. This happens when you cancel a money order before it's cashed. The refund goes back to the payment method you used to buy the money order originally.

Tracking when you don't have the receipt

If you've lost the receipt, you can still request a trace, but you'll need to do it in person at a post office. Bring a photo ID and be ready to provide as much information as you remember: the amount of the money order, the approximate date you purchased it, which post office you bought it from, and the name of the person you sent it to (if you remember it).

The postal clerk will file a trace request and give you a reference number. USPS will then search their records for a money order matching your description. This process can take several weeks because it's done manually rather than through the automated tracking system. You'll be contacted when the trace is complete.

If USPS finds the money order, they can tell you its status and, if it's been cashed, where it was cashed. If they can't locate it after a reasonable search period, you can request a refund, though you may need to provide additional documentation depending on the circumstances.

How long it takes for a money order to show as cashed

A money order typically appears in the tracking system as cashed within one to three business days of being presented for payment. The exact timing depends on where it was cashed. If someone cashed it at a post office, it usually shows up faster than if they cashed it at a bank or third-party check-cashing business, because those institutions may batch their deposits and report them less frequently.

If you sent a money order and it's been more than a week and the tracking system still shows it as outstanding, it's possible the recipient hasn't cashed it yet, or there was a delay in processing. Contact the recipient to confirm they received it. If they say they cashed it but the system doesn't show it yet, wait a few more days — the transaction may still be processing.

What to do if a money order is lost or stolen

If a money order you sent never shows as cashed and you suspect it was lost or stolen, contact USPS immediately. You'll need your receipt and the serial number. USPS can place a stop on the money order, which prevents anyone else from cashing it. Once a stop is in place, you can request a refund.

The refund process requires you to file a claim with USPS. You'll need to provide the receipt, proof that you sent the money order (like a mailing receipt if you sent it through the mail), and a statement explaining what happened. USPS will investigate and, if they determine the money order was not cashed by the intended recipient, they'll refund your money.

This process can take several weeks to several months, depending on how thoroughly USPS needs to investigate. Keep copies of all documentation you submit and the reference number USPS gives you for your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a money order if someone else bought it?

Only if you have the receipt or the serial number from the receipt. If someone sent you a money order and you want to track it, ask them for their receipt number. Without it, you'd need to visit a post office and provide details about the money order (amount, approximate date, sender's name) so they can search for it manually.

What if the tracking system says the money order was cashed but I never received the money?

If the money order was cashed at a location you didn't authorize, contact USPS immediately and file a claim. You'll need to explain that you didn't present the money order for payment. USPS will investigate whether it was cashed fraudulently. If they determine someone else cashed it without your permission, you may be refunded, though this requires documentation and can take time.

Can I cancel a money order after I've sent it?

Yes, but only if it hasn't been cashed yet. Check the tracking system first to confirm it's still outstanding. Then visit the post office where you bought it with your receipt and ID, and request a cancellation. USPS will place a stop on it and process a refund to your original payment method. If it's already been cashed, you cannot cancel it.

Does USPS charge a fee to track a money order?

No, tracking through the USPS website is free. If you need to file a trace request in person at a post office because you lost your receipt, there is no charge for that either. However, if you request a refund after a money order is lost or stolen, USPS may charge a small fee depending on the circumstances.

How long does USPS keep money order records?

USPS keeps money order records for several years, so you can track or trace a money order long after you purchased it. However, the longer you wait, the harder it may be to locate if you don't have the receipt. It's best to track a money order within a few weeks of sending it, while the transaction is still recent in their system.