USPS money orders are sold at post offices and cost between $1.29 and $1.79 depending on the amount, plus the face value itself

A USPS money order is a paper payment instrument you buy at any post office. You pay the post office the amount you want to send plus a small fee, and they issue you a receipt and a money order. The recipient takes it to their bank or post office to cash it. USPS money orders work nationwide and are backed by the U.S. Postal Service, which means they do not bounce like a personal check can.

The fee depends on the amount. Orders up to $500 cost $1.29; orders from $500.01 to $1,000 cost $1.79. You cannot buy a single USPS money order for more than $1,000, but you can buy multiple orders in one transaction if you need to send more.

USPS money orders are useful when you need to send cash to someone you do not know well, when the recipient does not have a bank account, or when you want a paper trail showing you paid. They are slower than electronic transfers and cost more than a check, so most people use them only when those other methods will not work.

Key Takeaways

  • You buy a USPS money order at any post office by paying the amount plus a fee of $1.29 to $1.79.
  • The maximum single money order is $1,000; you can buy multiple orders if you need to send more.
  • The recipient cashes it at a bank, credit union, or post office — no account required.
  • USPS money orders take several business days to clear and cannot be cancelled once cashed, so verify the recipient's address before you buy.

How to buy a USPS money order at the post office

Walk into any post office with cash or a debit card. Tell the clerk you want to buy a money order and give them the amount. They will ask for the recipient's name and your name. You do not need an account or ID, though the clerk may ask for ID to verify you are not using a stolen card.

The clerk will print the money order, take your payment (the amount plus the fee), and give you the original money order and a receipt. Keep the receipt — it shows the money order number and amount, and you will need it if something goes wrong. Write the recipient's address on the money order before you mail or hand it over.

Some post offices are inside grocery stores or pharmacies. These locations sell money orders during store hours, which may be longer than a standalone post office. Call ahead if you are unsure whether a location near you sells them.

What happens when the recipient cashes it

The recipient takes the money order to a bank, credit union, or post office and hands it to a teller. They do not need an account — post offices cash money orders for anyone. The teller verifies the amount and the signature, then gives the recipient cash or deposits it into their account if they have one.

Cashing usually takes a few minutes in person. If the recipient mails it to a bank, it takes several business days to clear. The recipient should sign the back of the money order before cashing it, just like a check.

Once a money order is cashed, it cannot be reversed. The post office keeps a record, but they will not recall the payment or issue a refund if the recipient cashes it by mistake or if you change your mind.

Tracking and replacing a lost or stolen money order

If you lose the money order before the recipient cashes it, contact the post office where you bought it with your receipt. Bring the receipt number and the amount. The post office can check whether it has been cashed. If it has not, they can issue a replacement, though this usually takes several weeks and requires you to sign a form stating it was lost.

If someone else cashes your money order, the post office can investigate, but recovery is difficult. This is why you should keep the receipt and not mail money orders to addresses you are unsure about. If you suspect fraud, file a report with the post office and keep your receipt as proof of purchase.

USPS does not offer a way to stop payment on a money order the way a bank can stop a check. Once it is cashed, the transaction is final.

USPS money orders versus other payment methods

A personal check costs nothing to write but can bounce if you do not have funds, and some people will not accept checks from strangers. A money order is may provide by the post office, so the recipient knows the funds are real.

A bank transfer or wire is faster and cheaper if both people have bank accounts, but it requires the recipient to share their account details. A money order works for people without accounts.

Cash in the mail is free but risky — it can be lost or stolen, and there is no proof you sent it. A money order gives you a receipt and a paper trail.

A prepaid debit card or gift card works if the recipient has a way to use it, but money orders are more universal. Most people can cash a money order; not everyone can use a prepaid card.

When USPS money orders make sense

Use a USPS money order when you are paying rent to a landlord who does not accept electronic transfers, sending money to someone without a bank account, or paying a small vendor who does not take cards. They are also useful for security deposits, bail, or court-ordered payments when the recipient requires a certified payment method.

Do not use a money order if you need the payment to arrive the same day — they take at least one business day and often longer. Do not use one if you might need to cancel the payment; once cashed, it cannot be reversed. And do not use one for large amounts; the $1,000 limit per order and the fees add up quickly if you need to send several thousand dollars.

Fees and limits to know

USPS money order fees are $1.29 for orders up to $500 and $1.79 for orders $500.01 to $1,000. These are the only two fee tiers; there is no discount for larger amounts within those ranges. If you need to send $2,000, you will buy two $1,000 money orders and pay $1.79 twice.

Some post offices may charge slightly different fees — a few locations charge $1.25 or $1.30 for smaller amounts — so ask the clerk before you pay. The fee is in addition to the face value, so if you want to send $500, you pay $500 plus $1.29.

There is no limit to how many money orders you can buy in one day, but the post office may ask questions if you buy a very large number at once. This is a federal requirement to prevent money laundering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a USPS money order online?

No. USPS does not sell money orders online or by mail. You must go to a post office in person with cash or a debit card. Some third-party services sell money orders online, but they are not USPS products and may charge higher fees.

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

If you make a mistake before you leave the post office, tell the clerk immediately. They can void it and issue a new one. If you have already left, you cannot change it — the amount printed by the post office is the amount. Do not try to alter it by hand.

Do I need to sign a USPS money order?

You sign the front of the money order when you buy it. The recipient signs the back when they cash it. If you do not sign it, the post office may still issue it, but it is less secure — anyone who finds it could potentially cash it.

How long does a USPS money order take to clear?

If the recipient cashes it in person at a post office or bank, it clears immediately. If they deposit it into a bank account by mail, it usually takes three to five business days, depending on the bank. USPS itself does not hold money orders; banks do.

Can I get my money back if I change my mind?

If the money order has not been cashed, you can return it to the post office with your receipt and request a refund. The post office will refund the face value and may refund the fee, though policies vary by location. If it has already been cashed, there is no refund.