The basic steps to get a money order

A money order is a paper payment you buy at a store or bank, fill out with the recipient's name, and send or hand over. You pay the seller the amount you want to send plus a small fee — usually between 70 cents and $2, depending on where you buy it and how much money you're sending. The seller gives you the money order, a receipt, and sometimes a stub to keep for your records.

The process takes about five minutes. You walk in, tell the cashier the amount, pay cash, fill in a few blanks, and leave. The recipient cashes it at their bank or a check-cashing store just like a check. Money orders are useful when you can't use a card, don't have a bank account, or want a paper trail for a payment.

Key Takeaways

  • Money orders are sold at grocery stores, pharmacies, post offices, and banks, with fees that vary by location and amount.
  • You need the recipient's full name and address, and you must fill in your own name and address as the sender.
  • Keep your receipt until the recipient confirms they received and cashed the money order.
  • Money orders can be replaced if lost or stolen, but you'll need your receipt and the money order number.

Where to buy a money order

The most common places are the U.S. Postal Service, Walmart, grocery stores like Kroger or Safeway, pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, and your own bank or credit union. Each charges a different fee. The post office typically charges between $1.45 and $2.00 depending on the amount. Walmart usually charges less — often under $1 for amounts up to $1,000. Grocery stores and pharmacies fall in the middle, usually 70 cents to $1.50.

Call ahead if you're buying a large money order. Most places cap the amount at $1,000 per money order, though some banks allow higher amounts. If you need to send more than $1,000, you'll buy multiple money orders. Check whether your bank or credit union offers them — members sometimes get them free or at a discount.

What information you need before you go

Have the recipient's full name spelled correctly. This is the person or business that will cash the money order. You also need their mailing address if you're sending it by mail, though you don't always need it to fill out the money order itself — that depends on the form.

Know your own full name and address. You are the sender, and your information goes on the money order. Bring cash or a debit card — most places that sell money orders don't take credit cards. If you're mailing the money order, you don't need a stamp or envelope yet; just get the money order and take it home to mail it yourself.

How to fill out a money order

The money order form has several blank lines. The layout varies slightly by seller, but the fields are always the same. Start with the "Pay to the Order of" line — write the recipient's full name here in print. Do not use a nickname or abbreviation. If the recipient is a business, write the business name exactly as it appears on official documents.

Next, fill in the amount in both the box (usually in numbers) and the line (usually in words). For example, if you're sending $50, write "50.00" in the box and "Fifty dollars" on the line. Write clearly so there's no confusion about the amount. Then fill in your name and address in the "From" section. Some money orders also have a "Memo" line where you can write what the payment is for — "Rent," "Invoice #123," or "Phone bill" — but this is optional.

Sign the money order in the signature line. Do not sign it until you're ready to hand it over or mail it. Some sellers will sign or stamp their portion at the time of sale. Keep your receipt and the stub (if there is one) in a safe place until the recipient tells you they've cashed it.

Sending the money order safely

If you're mailing it, put the money order in an envelope with a stamp and send it through the post office. Do not send cash through the mail, but a money order is safer because it has a tracking number and can be replaced if it's lost. Write the recipient's address on the envelope clearly.

If you're handing it to someone in person, do so in a safe location and get a receipt or confirmation that they received it. If you're paying a bill by mail, send it to the address listed on your bill, not to a person's home address unless the bill specifically says to. Keep your receipt and money order number for at least 60 days. If the recipient says they never got it, you can file a claim with the seller using your receipt and money order number.

What to do if a money order is lost or stolen

If your money order goes missing before the recipient cashes it, contact the seller where you bought it. Bring your receipt and the money order number. The seller can put a stop on it and issue a replacement, though this usually takes 30 to 60 days. Some sellers charge a replacement fee of $1 to $5.

If someone else cashes your money order and you have proof it wasn't the intended recipient, you can file a claim. This is why keeping your receipt is critical — it has the money order number and the date of purchase. The seller will investigate and may refund you, but the process can take weeks. Never give a money order number to someone you don't trust, and never send a money order to someone you haven't verified through a direct phone call or official website.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is misspelling the recipient's name. If you write "Jon Smith" but the recipient's legal name is "John Smith," they may not be able to cash it. Double-check the spelling before you hand over money. Another mistake is filling in the amount in words but not in numbers, or vice versa — fill in both, and make sure they match.

Don't sign the money order until you're ready to send it. If you sign it blank and lose it, anyone can fill in their own name and cash it. Don't write the money order to "Cash" — it's not as safe as writing a specific name. Finally, don't throw away your receipt. Keep it until the recipient confirms they received and cashed the money order. If there's a dispute, your receipt is your proof of purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but only if the money order hasn't been cashed. Return to the seller with your receipt and the money order itself (unsigned). They will refund your money minus a small fee, usually $1 to $3. If the money order has already been cashed, you cannot reverse it — it works like cash once it's been signed and handed over.

What's the difference between a money order and a cashier's check?

A cashier's check is issued by a bank and is larger amounts, usually with no upper limit. A money order is sold at many locations and typically maxes out at $1,000. Cashier's checks cost more but are used for bigger transactions like buying a car or a house. Money orders are for smaller, everyday payments.

Do I need an ID to buy a money order?

Most sellers don't require ID for small money orders under $1,000. However, some locations may ask for ID as part of their policy. Bring your ID to be safe. For very large amounts or multiple money orders at once, the seller may ask for ID to comply with federal reporting rules.

Can someone else pick up a money order I bought?

No. You must be present to buy the money order and sign it. Once you've filled it out and signed it, you can mail it or hand it to the recipient, but you cannot give it to a third party to deliver on your behalf — they could cash it themselves if it's already signed.

How long does it take for a money order to be cashed?

Once the recipient has the money order, they can cash it when ready at a bank, credit union, or check-cashing store. There's no waiting period. However, if they deposit it into a bank account, the bank may hold the funds for one to three business days before they're available, depending on the bank's policy.