Where you can cash a money order

You can cash a money order at a bank, credit union, grocery store, pharmacy, check cashing service, or the post office — whichever issued it or accepts them. Banks and credit unions are usually fastest if you have an account there. Grocery stores and pharmacies (like Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens) cash them same-day without an account. The post office cashes only money orders it issued. Check cashing services charge a fee, usually $2 to $5, but are open longer hours than banks.

The location matters because not every place accepts every type of money order. A bank may cash a postal money order but not a Western Union one. A grocery store may cash Western Union but not a bank-issued money order. Call ahead or check the issuer's website to confirm the specific location accepts your money order type before you go.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the money order itself, a valid photo ID, and your signature on the back to cash it at most locations.
  • Banks and credit unions are free if you have an account; grocery stores and pharmacies charge nothing but may have limits on how much they cash.
  • Check cashing services charge $2 to $5 per money order and are open evenings and weekends when banks are closed.
  • The post office cashes only postal money orders; other issuers like Western Union require you to go to their partner locations.
  • Bring the money order exactly as it was given to you — do not write on it or alter it before cashing.

What you need to bring

Bring three things: the money order itself, a valid photo ID, and a pen. Your ID must be government-issued — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all work. Some locations accept a tribal ID or passport card. Expired IDs are usually rejected, so check the expiration date before you go.

The money order must be signed on the back by you, the person cashing it. If it is made out to you by name, sign your name exactly as it appears on the front. If it says "Pay to the order of" with a blank, you can sign it as yourself. Do not sign it before you arrive — most places want to see you sign it in front of them. If someone else gave you the money order and it is made out to you, you sign it. If it is made out to someone else, that person must sign it, and you cannot cash it.

The step-by-step cashing process

At a bank or credit union: Walk to the teller window and hand over the money order and your ID. Tell them you want to cash it. The teller will check that the amount is legible, that it is not damaged or altered, and that your signature on the back matches your ID. They will run it through a scanner to verify it has not already been cashed. This takes two to five minutes. You will receive cash or a deposit to your account, depending on what you ask for.

At a grocery store or pharmacy: Go to the customer service desk or money services counter. Hand over the money order and your ID. The employee will scan it and check your ID. Many stores have a daily limit — often $500 to $1,000 — so if your money order is larger, they may refuse it or ask you to return another day. You will receive cash when ready, usually within five minutes.

At a check cashing service: Walk in with the money order and your ID. The clerk will verify it is legitimate, check your ID, and charge you a fee. The fee is usually a flat amount ($2 to $5) or a small percentage of the money order value. You will receive cash minus the fee. This takes five to ten minutes.

At the post office: Go to the counter and hand over the postal money order and your ID. The clerk will verify the serial number, check that it has not been cashed, and confirm your signature. Postal money orders can take longer because the post office verifies them against their system. You will receive cash or a check, depending on the amount and the post office's policy.

What can go wrong and how to fix it

The most common problem is a missing or mismatched signature. If you did not sign the back, the teller will ask you to sign it right there. If your signature does not match your ID, they may refuse to cash it or ask for a second form of ID. Bring a second ID if your signature has changed — for example, if you recently married and changed your name.

A money order can be rejected if it is damaged, torn, or has writing on it that was not there when it was issued. Do not write on the back except for your signature. If the amount is smudged or illegible, the location may refuse it. If the money order is very old (more than a year), some issuers may have stopped honoring it, though most do not expire.

If a money order has already been cashed, the system will flag it and the location will refuse to cash it again. This usually means someone else cashed it, or it was cashed twice by mistake. Contact the issuer (the post office, Western Union, or your bank) with your receipt to report it and request a replacement.

Fees and limits you should know about

Banks and credit unions charge no fee to cash a money order if you have an account. If you do not have an account, some banks charge $2 to $5. Grocery stores and pharmacies charge nothing. Check cashing services charge $2 to $5 per money order, sometimes more for larger amounts. The post office charges nothing for postal money orders.

Grocery stores and pharmacies often have daily or per-transaction limits. A store might cash up to $500 per money order, or up to $1,000 total per day. If your money order is larger, you can cash it at a bank, credit union, or check cashing service, which usually have higher limits or no limit at all. Call ahead to confirm the limit before you go.

If the money order is made out to someone else

If a money order is made out to another person's name, only that person can cash it. They must sign the back and bring their ID. You cannot cash it for them, even if they give you permission. If they want you to have the money, they need to sign the back and either cash it themselves and give you the cash, or sign it over to you in writing (though most locations do not accept third-party signatures on money orders).

The safest route is for the person whose name is on the money order to cash it themselves at a bank, grocery store, or check cashing service. If they cannot go in person, they can sign the back and give it to you with a written note saying you have permission to cash it on their behalf, but many locations will still refuse. Call ahead to ask whether the location accepts third-party cashing before you try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a money order without a bank account?

Yes. Grocery stores, pharmacies, check cashing services, and the post office all cash money orders without requiring an account. You will need a valid photo ID and your signature on the back. Some locations have daily limits on how much they will cash, so call ahead if your money order is for more than $500.

What if I lost the money order?

Contact the issuer when ready with your receipt or the money order number. The post office, Western Union, or your bank can put a stop on it so no one else can cash it. They will issue a replacement, though this can take one to four weeks. Keep your receipt in a safe place until the replacement arrives.

How long does it take to cash a money order?

At a grocery store or pharmacy, five to ten minutes. At a bank or credit union, two to five minutes if you have an account. At a check cashing service, five to ten minutes. At the post office, ten to fifteen minutes because they verify it against their system. Bring your ID and have your signature ready on the back.

Can I deposit a money order instead of cashing it?

Yes. At a bank or credit union, you can sign the back and deposit it into your account instead of taking cash. This is safer than carrying large amounts of cash. The money usually appears in your account within one to three business days, depending on the bank and the money order type.

What if the money order is damaged or torn?

Most locations will refuse to cash a damaged money order because they cannot verify it is legitimate. Contact the issuer with your receipt and ask for a replacement. The post office, Western Union, or your bank will reissue it, though this takes one to four weeks. Do not try to tape or repair the money order yourself.