You can buy a money order at banks, grocery stores, post offices, and check-cashing businesses
The easiest place to get a money order depends on where you already go. Most banks and credit unions sell them over the counter during business hours. The U.S. Postal Service sells them at every post office location. Grocery stores with customer service desks — Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway — typically sell them. Check-cashing stores and payday loan shops almost always have them. Convenience stores and gas stations sometimes carry them, though not all do.
Cost varies by location and the amount you're ordering. A money order for under $500 usually costs between 50 cents and $2. Larger amounts may cost more. Banks often charge less than retail locations. Post offices charge a flat rate that depends on the amount ordered. Grocery stores and check-cashing businesses fall somewhere in the middle. Call ahead if you need a large money order, since some places have limits on the maximum amount they'll issue in a single order.
Key Takeaways
- Banks, post offices, grocery stores, and check-cashing businesses all sell money orders, so you can find one near you without much searching.
- Cost ranges from 50 cents to $2 for most money orders under $500, with banks usually charging the least.
- You'll need cash or a debit card to buy one, and you must know the exact amount and the recipient's name before you go.
- Some places have daily or per-transaction limits on how much you can order, so confirm the maximum if you need a large amount.
- The entire process takes five to ten minutes once you're at the counter.
What you need to bring to buy a money order
You need the exact dollar amount you want to order and the name of the person or business receiving it. Have that information ready before you get to the counter. You'll also need a way to pay — cash or a debit card. Most places accept both, though some check-cashing businesses may only take cash.
You do not need a bank account or ID to buy a money order at most locations. The U.S. Postal Service does not require ID. Grocery stores and check-cashing businesses typically do not either. Banks may ask for ID if you're not a customer, but many will still sell you one without an account. Call the specific location if you're unsure about their policy.
How to fill out a money order at the counter
The cashier will usually fill in most of the money order for you while you watch. You'll provide the recipient's name (called the "payee"), and they'll enter the dollar amount. You'll sign the money order in the space marked "purchaser" or "sender." Some places ask you to write your address on the back, though this is not always required.
Keep your receipt. It shows the money order number and the amount, and you'll need it if the money order is lost or stolen. The receipt is also your proof of purchase if there's ever a dispute about whether you sent it. Do not lose the receipt until the recipient confirms they received and cashed the money order.
Banks versus post offices versus retail locations
| Location | Cost | Hours | Maximum Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank or credit union | Usually $1 to $2 | Business hours only | Often $1,000 to $5,000 |
| U.S. Postal Service | $1.45 to $2.20 depending on amount | Varies by location; some open Saturdays | Up to $1,000 per money order |
| Grocery store (Walmart, Target, Kroger) | Usually $0.88 to $1.50 | Store hours, often 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Often $500 to $1,000 |
| Check-cashing business | Usually $1 to $3 | Often extended hours, some open weekends | Varies; call ahead |
| Gas station or convenience store | Usually $1 to $2 | 24 hours at many locations | Often $500 or less |
When you need more than one money order
If you need to send more than the maximum amount a single location allows, you can buy multiple money orders. The U.S. Postal Service caps each money order at $1,000, so sending $2,500 means buying three separate money orders. You'll pay the fee for each one, so the total cost will be higher than a single large payment.
Some people buy multiple money orders at the same time from the same location. Others spread the purchases across different days or different businesses to avoid drawing attention. There's no legal problem with buying several money orders at once, but some businesses may ask why you need them. You can simply say you're sending money to different people or paying different bills.
Money orders versus other payment methods
A money order is safer than sending cash through the mail because it can't be spent if it's lost or stolen — only the person whose name is on it can cash it. It's more formal than a personal check and doesn't require a bank account. Unlike a wire transfer, a money order doesn't need the recipient's bank details, just their name and mailing address.
Money orders cost more than a check if you have a checking account, since checks are usually free. They're slower than a wire transfer or electronic payment — the recipient has to receive it, go to a bank or check-cashing business, and wait for it to clear. But they work when the recipient doesn't have a bank account or when you need a paper record of payment that's harder to dispute than a personal check.
What happens after you buy the money order
Once you have the money order, you mail it to the recipient or hand it to them in person. They take it to a bank, credit union, check-cashing business, or post office to cash it. The recipient doesn't need an account at that location — any bank will cash a money order. Cashing usually takes a few minutes, though some places may hold it for a day or two if the amount is large.
Keep your receipt until the money order clears. If it's lost in the mail or the recipient says they never got it, you can contact the issuer with your receipt number and request a replacement or refund. This process can take weeks, so don't assume the money order is gone immediately if the recipient doesn't cash it right away. Give them a few days and follow up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order online?
No. Money orders must be purchased in person at a physical location. You cannot order one through a website or app and have it mailed to you. You have to go to a bank, post office, grocery store, or check-cashing business and buy it at the counter.
What if I make a mistake filling out the money order?
Most places will not let you fix a mistake on a money order once it's been issued. You'll have to buy a new one and request a refund for the incorrect one. Keep your receipt and ask the location about their refund policy before you leave the counter. Some businesses refund the full amount; others charge a small fee.
Do I need to show ID to buy a money order?
Most places do not require ID. The U.S. Postal Service, grocery stores, and check-cashing businesses typically sell money orders without asking for identification. Banks may ask for ID if you're not a customer, but many will still sell you one. Call ahead if you're concerned about a specific location's policy.
How long does a money order take to clear?
A money order usually clears within one to three business days after the recipient deposits or cashes it. Some banks hold it longer if the amount is large or if the recipient doesn't have an account there. The recipient should ask the teller how long it will take when they cash it.
Can I cancel a money order after I buy it?
Yes, but only if you still have it and haven't sent it yet. Go back to the location where you bought it with your receipt and ask for a refund or replacement. Once you've mailed it or given it to someone, you cannot cancel it. If it's lost or stolen, you can request a replacement using your receipt number, but this takes time.