How to Track a US Postal Service Money Order

How to track a USPS money order

The US Postal Service does not offer real-time tracking for money orders the way it does for packages. Instead, you can verify a money order's status by calling USPS directly or visiting a post office in person with your receipt. USPS keeps a record of money orders for two years after purchase, so you can look up whether it was cashed and by whom — but only if you have the receipt with the serial number printed on it.

The tracking process depends on whether you're checking on a money order you sent or one you received. If you purchased the money order and kept your receipt, USPS can tell you if it's been cashed. If someone sent you a money order and it hasn't arrived, the sender's receipt is what USPS needs to investigate.

Key Takeaways

• USPS money orders cannot be tracked online; you must call 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit a post office with your receipt and serial number.
• The receipt is the only proof that a money order was issued, so keep it until you confirm the money order was cashed by the recipient.
• USPS records show whether a money order was cashed and which post office cashed it, but not the identity of the person who cashed it.
• If a money order is lost or not cashed within two years, you can request a refund by filing a claim with your original receipt.

What information you need to track a money order

Your receipt is the only document USPS uses to look up a money order. The receipt shows the serial number, the amount, the date of purchase, and the post office where you bought it. Without the receipt, USPS cannot search their records.

If you're tracking a money order someone else sent to you, ask the sender for their receipt. They can contact USPS on your behalf, or they can give you permission to call with the receipt details. USPS will not release information about a money order to anyone except the person whose name appears on the receipt as the purchaser.

Calling USPS to check money order status

Call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) during business hours. Have your receipt ready. Tell the representative you want to check the status of a money order and provide the serial number from your receipt. The representative will look up whether the money order has been cashed and, if it has, which post office cashed it.

The call is free. Wait times vary depending on call volume. If you reach an automated system first, select the option for money order inquiries or stay on the line to speak with a representative.

Visiting a post office to verify a money order

Bring your receipt to any US Post Office location. Hand it to the clerk and ask them to check whether the money order has been cashed. They can look this up in the same system USPS customer service uses. This method is often faster than calling if your local post office is not busy.

The clerk can tell you the status and which post office cashed it, but cannot tell you who cashed it. If the money order has not been cashed and you're concerned it was lost in the mail, the clerk can help you file a claim for a refund.

What to do if a money order was lost or not cashed

If you sent a money order and the recipient says they never received it, or if you sent one and it has not been cashed after a reasonable time, you can file a claim. Bring your receipt to the post office or call USPS. You will need to provide the serial number, the amount, the date of purchase, and the name and address of the intended recipient.

USPS will investigate whether the money order was cashed. If it was not cashed within two years of the purchase date, USPS will issue you a refund. If it was cashed, USPS can tell you which post office cashed it, but the refund process becomes more complicated and may require additional steps to resolve the dispute with the recipient.

Money orders that were cashed but not received

If you sent a money order to someone and they claim they never received it, but USPS records show it was cashed, the money order reached its destination. The recipient cashed it at a post office. USPS's role ends there — the dispute is between you and the recipient, not with the postal service.

In this situation, you have a few options: contact the recipient directly to resolve the disagreement, ask your bank or credit card company if you paid for the money order by card (some offer purchase protection), or consult a small claims court if the amount is significant. USPS cannot reverse a cashed money order or force a refund once it has been paid out.

Keeping your receipt safe

Store your money order receipt in a safe place until you confirm the money order has been cashed. Take a photo or make a copy for your records. Write down the serial number separately if possible. The receipt is your only proof that you purchased the money order and your only way to track it or request a refund if something goes wrong.

If you lose your receipt, USPS may still be able to look up the money order if you can provide the serial number, the amount, the date, and the post office where you purchased it. However, without the receipt itself, the process is slower and less reliable. Keep receipts for at least two years, since that is how long USPS maintains records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track a money order online?

No. USPS does not offer online tracking for money orders. You must call 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit a post office in person with your receipt and serial number to check the status.

What if I lost my receipt?

Call USPS with as much information as you remember: the amount, the approximate date of purchase, the post office location, and the recipient's name and address. USPS may be able to search their records, but the process is slower without the serial number from the receipt.

How long does USPS keep money order records?

USPS keeps records for two years after the money order is purchased. After two years, if the money order has not been cashed, you can request a refund. If it was cashed, the record is archived and harder to retrieve.

Can USPS tell me who cashed my money order?

No. USPS will tell you which post office cashed the money order, but not the name or identity of the person who cashed it. That information is private.

What if someone else cashed a money order I sent?

If the money order was cashed by someone other than the intended recipient, that is a dispute between you and the recipient or a matter of fraud. USPS cannot reverse a cashed money order. Contact your bank if you paid by card, or consider small claims court if the amount is large enough to warrant it.