How and where to get a money order

Wells Fargo. Ally Bank. Citizens Bank. TD Bank. Note that many banks will only sell money orders to accountholders. Some outlets allow you to buy a money order with a credit card, but others don't, including Walmart and the U. In those cases, you'll have to use a debit card or cash to buy a money order.

Even if the provider you choose does let you pay with a credit card, it'll be much cheaper not to. That interest rate might be greater than the rate you'll pay on a normal purchase. Here are four examples of when money orders are the best payment method:. You need to send money securely. Since money orders require you to pay in advance, you don't need a bank account and you can still pay bills safely.

Another option: One of NerdWallet's best prepaid debit cards for regular purchases. Not all money orders work abroad, but U. Postal Service money orders can be sent to about 25 countries. Another option: A wire transfer, if you need the money there faster and are willing to pay more. Or check out our best ways to send money internationally.

Check-cashing locations, convenience stores and grocery stores can be alternatives, but watch out for fees. Banks accept U.

Postal Service money orders as they would regular checks at branches, ATMs or even on a banking app with a mobile check deposit function. How to pick between a cashier's check and a money order. If you no longer have the money order or you made a mistake on it, you may be able to cancel it and get a replacement or refund — as long as the money order hasn't been cashed. The issuer will probably have you fill out some paperwork, using information from your receipt, and you'll likely pay a fee.

And it can take a month or longer for the issuer to process your claim. If the money order was cashed, you may still be able to get your money back, but you'll generally have to involve the police. It's relatively simple to find out where a money order is — as long as you've kept your receipt. But the process varies slightly by issuer. The U. Postal Service, MoneyGram and Western Union allow you to track online with information such as the serial number found on your receipt and the purchase amount.

Without the receipt, you'll likely have to file a research request to find your money order's serial number, and that's expensive and time-consuming.

Just be sure to track the money order with the actual provider — it might be Western Union or MoneyGram even if you purchased it at a convenience store. Money orders are typically a safe payment method, but they can also be used fraudulently. To protect yourself:. Try not to exchange money orders with strangers. This isn't always possible, but if you can, ask to be paid electronically or via another means. Watch for red flags. Verify the funds. Here's a quick rundown of what you need to do to get a money order:.

Be prepared with cash or a debit card, the name of the payee and the amount you want to send. Never leave anything on the order blank, and don't forget to keep your receipt of the transaction. Don't forget to shop around for the lowest fees for a money order, either. One obvious advantage of using a money order is its simplicity. You can walk into a big box or even your local grocery and walk out with a money order, You don't need to have a checking account to purchase a money order, either, and they are simple to fill out.

The disadvantages are minimum, but they may be enough to dissuade you from using one. First, you have to pay a fee to purchase a money order, something you don't have to do when using a check. If you lose a money order and it is not filled out correctly, it can be easily stolen. You'll have to purchase more than one, and with each order comes additional fees. If you lose or need to cancel your money order, it can take up to 30 days or longer to be reimbursed. If you need to cancel or replace a money order, immediately contact the entity that issued it to you, and they will ask you to fill out a cancellation request form.

Always make sure to save your receipt and be prepared to show it. You will need to pay a fee for a canceled money order, as well. When you fill out a cancellation request, you may ask for a replacement money order or a cash refund. According to Experian, it can take up to 30 days or more for a refund or replacement, so you will have to be prepared to wait.

If the matter is urgent, you will have to purchase another money order. There are many alternatives to money orders.

You can use apps like Venmo and PayPal to send money with one swipe, and many banks, like Chase, use Zelle to transfer money directly from your checking account. You can write a personal check, too, for zero fees and more protection, should the check get lost or stolen. You can buy a money order for a small fee at convenience stores, money order businesses, big-box stores, and at some credit unions and banks.

There are drawbacks to using money orders such as a limited amount of money on each order, fees, and a 30 day or more waiting period for a refund on a canceled money order. Unfortunately, if you make a mistake, it is hard to correct. For example, if you write out the wrong payee name or misspell it, you will have to ask for a refund, which could take 30 days, according to Western Union. If someone finds a blank money order with a specified amount on it, in theory, they could fill it out and cash it.

If you find a blank money order with no cash value listed, you cannot cash it. Anyone can cash a money order, assuming it is made out to them and they have valid identification. United States Postal Office.

Accessed Sept. Western Union. Checking Accounts. Personal Finance. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes.

Your Money. Your Practice. Popular Courses. Table of Contents Expand. What They Cost. What Information You Need. How to Fill out a Money Order. How to Deliver a Money Order. Mistakes to Avoid. Advantages and Disadvantages of Money Orders. How to Cancel or Replace a Money Order. You can also cash them at most banks and some stores. Rural carriers may cash money orders if they have enough money on hand. See additional requirements for money orders made out to organizations, more than one person, and minors.

You can check the status of a money order you've purchased from the U. Postal Service at any time by visiting the Money Orders Application. Make sure you have the following information for the postal money order you want to check:. You cannot stop payment on postal money orders, but a lost or stolen money order can be replaced.

We'll replace money orders that are defective or damaged. Take the damaged money order and your receipt to your local Post Office location to get a replacement. If you have not yet cashed a Japan Post-issued money order, please return it to the sender.

On July 10, , Japan Post stopped cashing international postal money orders issued by the Postal Service. Japan Post stopped selling international postal money orders destined for the U.

Skip to Main Content. English Use arrow key to access related widget. Go to USPS. Skip all category navigation links. Sign In.