USCIS accepts money orders as payment for immigration forms and fees, but only if you follow their exact requirements for how the money order is filled out and submitted

When you file an immigration form with USCIS — whether it's for a green card, work permit, citizenship application, or another benefit — you often need to include a payment. USCIS gives you three ways to pay: check, money order, or credit/debit card. A money order works if you don't have a checking account or prefer not to use a card, but USCIS has strict rules about which money orders they'll accept and how you must prepare them. Getting these details wrong can delay your case or cause USCIS to reject your payment.

The rules are specific and don't have much room for interpretation. A money order made payable to the wrong entity, sent in a separate envelope, or missing your identifying information will be returned. This section walks through exactly what USCIS requires at each step.

Key Takeaways

  • USCIS accepts money orders from U.S. Postal Service, banks, and check-cashing businesses, but not from Western Union or MoneyGram.
  • You must write your USCIS receipt number or case number in the memo line, and your name and date of birth on the back of the money order.
  • The money order must be made payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" — not USCIS, not your local office, not any other variation.
  • Money orders must be submitted with your form in the same envelope; USCIS will not process a form and payment sent separately.
  • Do not send cash, and do not send a money order without the form it's meant to pay for.

Which money orders USCIS will accept

USCIS accepts money orders from the U.S. Postal Service, banks, and check-cashing businesses. These are the most common sources and are widely available. Western Union and MoneyGram money orders are not accepted, even though those companies are well-known. If you buy a money order from either of those sources, USCIS will return it and your application, and you'll have to resubmit with a different payment method.

The money order must be in U.S. dollars. If you are outside the United States and need to send payment, contact the USCIS office handling your case to ask about alternatives, because international money orders often cannot be processed through the standard system. Some USCIS offices may have different procedures for applicants filing from abroad, so it's worth asking before you purchase a money order.

How to fill out a money order for USCIS

The front of the money order has a "Pay to the Order of" line. Write "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" exactly as shown — not "USCIS," not "Department of Homeland Security," not your local USCIS office name. USCIS rejects money orders made payable to anything else. This is the single most common reason money orders are returned.

On the memo line (usually a small field on the front), write your USCIS receipt number if you already have one, or your case number if you're resubmitting. If this is your first submission and you don't have a receipt number yet, write your name and date of birth instead. This helps USCIS match the payment to your form when it arrives.

On the back of the money order, write your name and date of birth. Do not sign it on the back — just print your name and birth date. Sign the front of the money order where indicated (usually a signature line), because that's what makes it a valid payment instrument. Keep your receipt from the money order purchase; you may need it if the money order is lost in the mail or if you need to stop payment and resubmit.

Where to send your money order with your form

Your USCIS form instructions will list a mailing address for your specific form type and situation. The money order must go in the same envelope as your form and supporting documents. Do not mail the money order separately or send it to a different address. USCIS processes applications as a package, and a payment that arrives without the form will be returned or held indefinitely.

Use a mailing method that provides tracking, such as USPS Certified Mail or a carrier that offers delivery confirmation. Keep your receipt and tracking number until USCIS sends you a receipt notice confirming they received your case. Most forms require the original money order, not a copy, so do not photocopy it and send the copy instead.

What happens after you submit your money order

USCIS will cash your money order once they receive and process your application. This usually happens within a few weeks of receipt, though timing varies by form type and office workload. You'll receive a receipt notice (Form I-797) in the mail that confirms USCIS received your case and cashed your payment.

If there is a problem with your money order — if it's made payable to the wrong entity, if it's damaged, or if it's lost in the mail — USCIS will return your entire application and ask you to resubmit with a corrected or replacement payment. This can add weeks or months to your case, so double-check all details before you mail. If you used tracking and can prove the package never arrived, contact USCIS with your tracking number and money order receipt to discuss your options.

Alternatives if you can't use a money order

If you don't want to use a money order, you can pay by personal check or business check instead. A check works the same way: make it payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security," include your receipt number or name and date of birth, and mail it with your form. Some forms also allow you to pay by credit card or debit card through the USCIS online payment system, though this option is not available for all forms.

Do not send cash under any circumstances. Cash cannot be tracked, and USCIS will not be able to prove they received it if it's lost. If you have no other payment method available, contact the USCIS office handling your case to ask about payment plan options or fee reductions, which may be available depending on your income and the form you're filing.

Common mistakes that delay or reject money order payments

The most common error is making the money order payable to the wrong entity. Writing "USCIS," "Immigration Services," "Department of Homeland Security," or your local office name will cause rejection. The payee must be exactly "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." This single mistake is responsible for the majority of returned payments.

The second most common mistake is sending the money order without the form, or sending them in separate envelopes. USCIS will not match a stray payment to your application. Always include both in the same mailing. A third mistake is not writing your identifying information on the memo line or back of the money order. Without this, USCIS may have trouble connecting the payment to your case, especially if your application is one of thousands received that day.

A fourth mistake is using a money order from Western Union or MoneyGram, which USCIS does not accept. Before you purchase a money order, confirm that it comes from the U.S. Postal Service, a bank, or a check-cashing business. Finally, some people send a photocopy of the money order instead of the original. USCIS requires the original money order; a copy is not acceptable as payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a money order from Western Union or MoneyGram?

No. USCIS only accepts money orders from the U.S. Postal Service, banks, and check-cashing businesses. If you send a Western Union or MoneyGram money order, USCIS will return it along with your entire application, and you'll need to resubmit with a different payment method.

What if my money order gets lost in the mail?

If you used a tracked mailing method and can prove the package never arrived, contact USCIS with your tracking number and money order receipt. They may ask you to stop payment on the original money order and submit a new one. Keep all receipts and tracking information until you receive your case receipt notice.

Do I need to sign the money order?

Sign the front of the money order where indicated (usually a signature line). Do not sign the back — just write your name and date of birth on the back. The front signature is what makes the money order valid as a payment instrument.

Can I send a photocopy of the money order instead of the original?

No. USCIS requires the original money order. A copy is not acceptable as payment. You can keep a photocopy for your records, but the original must be mailed with your form.

What if I don't have a receipt number yet because this is my first application?

Write your name and date of birth on the memo line and the back of the money order. This gives USCIS enough information to match the payment to your form when it arrives. Once they process your case, they'll send you a receipt number on your receipt notice.