How to Fill Out a Money Order in 4 Steps (2024)

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Money orders can be used to send money to a person or company without the need for a bank account.
To fill out a money order, you'll need the recipient's name and your address.
After making a payment, you'll want to keep your receipt for tracking and for proof of purchase.

There are several ways to transfer money from one person or company to another, and you might be overwhelmed trying to pick between them all. If you're wanting to transfer money to someone without a bank account, a money order might be the way to go.

We've provided a description of what money orders are, as well as how to use them, to help you decide if they're right for you.

Understanding money orders

What is a money order?

Money orders are a guaranteed form of payment. They work a lot like checks, in that it's a piece of paper that you can use to give or receive money without directly using cash. However, money orders have a few benefits over using checks or cash.

Benefits of using a money order

One major benefit of using a money order is how much control you have over every step of the process. "A money order is traceable and trackable," says Maggie Gomez, CFP, founder of Money with Maggie. This means that, as long as you keep the receipt, you'll be able to tell if it's been cashed, and you can get a replacement if your money order is lost or stolen.

Unlike personal checks, money orders are pre-paid in full before being issued. Because of this, the recipient of a legitimate money order can rest assured that it won't bounce when they go to cash it. And unlike some cashier's checks or certified checks (other popular forms of guaranteed payment), you won't ever need a bank account to send a money order.

This is particularly useful for people who can't get a bank account, although there are second chance bank accounts that let people who wouldn't otherwise qualify open an account.

Where to purchase a money order

Post offices

You can get a money order through your local post office. This can be a convenient choice, as the post office will also send the money order for you.

You'll need to go to a post office in person. You can pay with cash, a prepaid debit card, a regular debit card, or a traveler's check. There are fees for making a money order at a post office.If your money order is less than $500, the issuing fee will be $2.10. If it's more than $500, it will come with a fee of $3.00.

If you are in the military and use a military-affiliated post office, you'll only need to pay a $0.70 issuing fee, no matter how much the money order is worth.

Banks

You can also get a money order at your bank. Like the post office, your bank will probably charge a service fee. The exact service fee will depend on your bank, though.

Check with your bank to see what service fees it charges, but keep in mind that banks may charge higher fees than other places.

Retail stores

Some retail stores, such as Walmart and 7-Eleven, let you create a money order with them. Just keep an eye out for Western Union or Moneygram logos at the stores you regularly go to if you're interested in filling out a money order while running other errands.

While fees will depend on the specific location you'll go to, Walmart won't charge a service fee higher than $1. If you plan to go to a retail store just to create a money order, check ahead of time to see whether they offer money orders and what fees they charge.

How to fill out a money order

When filling out a money order, you'll need some basic information, such as the recipient's name and your address. You'll also need a way to pay, such as cash or a debit card. Generally, you won't be able to pay with regular checks or credit cards, although many places will let you pay with a traveler's check. We've provided a step-by-step guide to filling out a money order to help you with the process.

Step 1: Fill in the recipient's name

You'll want to fill out each line of your money order with a pen in large and legible letters. As with personal checks, the first line on a money order will be the "Payee" field.

It's important that you fill out your recipient's name accurately here. Your payee will need to provide identification to cash out the money order. And if the name on their ID doesn't exactly match what you provided, they won't be able to get their cash.

If the money order will be used to pay a bill, you'll want to provide your account number as well. Some money orders will have a "Memo" line where you can add this or any other extra details. However, if you don't see a designated spot for additional information, just write your account number in a blank space on the front of the money order.

Step 2: Write your address in the purchaser section

Now that you've completed the payee section, it's time to provide your personal information. Depending on where you're purchasing your money order, these lines could have different names, such as "Sender," "From," "Purchaser," or "Remitter."

Step 3: Sign the front, not the back

Next, you'll need to add your signature. With most money orders, the sender's signature line will be on the front at the bottom right-hand side.

You'll also notice a signature line on the back of the money order. This is where your recipient will need to sign when they go to cash your money order, so you'll want to leave that line blank.

Once you've signed, you'll need to pay for the money order. Most places allow you to buy a money order with a debit card or cash, but other payment methods are less commonly allowed.

Step 4: Keep your receipt

Once payment has been made, you'll receive a receipt that is proof of your purchase. You'll want to save this receipt in a secure location for two reasons.

First, your receipt will include tracking information. Using the tracking number on your receipt, you can check to see if and when your money order has been cashed. If you feel there was a problem or mistake, contact your money order issuer for help.

Second, you can use your receipt to replace your funds if your money order is lost or stolen. However, you should be aware that most providers will charge an additional service fee when refunding lost or stolen money orders.

Tips for safe money order use

Verify the recipient

When you're preparing to fill out a money order, you'll want to make sure your recipient is who they say they are. If you get a call from a company asking you to fill out a money order for it, hang up the phone and call the company again from a number on their website to make sure the request is legit.

If you get an email from a friend asking for a money order, get in contact with them some other way (preferably, a way you can hear their voice) to make sure their email hasn't been hacked.

If you're on the receiving end of a money order, you'll want to make sure the money order isn't counterfeit. You can do that by checking the money order to see if something's out of place, such as if there's more than $1,000 on it. But you can also call the issuer to see if it's legit.

"You can call and verify from the issuing institution," says Gomez. "They'll confirm that the funds are valid."

Avoid sending to strangers

If you can, only send money orders to people or companies you trust. If a stranger or a company you haven't heard of or worked with before is asking for a money order, make sure that they're legit before sending them a money order.

What to do if lost or stolen

If you or your recipient loses your money order, or if it gets stolen, don't worry. Take the receipt you got when you made the money order back to the issuer. They'll step you through cancelling and refunding a money order. They can also reissue you a new money order for the same amount. While you won't have to pay the whole amount twice, it's likely you'll have to pay another service fee, no matter if you're cancelling or making a new one.

Sending your money order

Mailing tips

If you go to the post office for your money order, you can immediately send it to your recipient. There aren't many tricks to how to safely send a money order by mail, but make sure to double-check the address to make sure the right person or company gets it.

You can track the money order using the receipt the post office gets you to make sure it gets to the recipient.

Hand delivery

If you're giving the money order to someone you know, you can always hand-deliver the money order. Unlike with cash, you can use your receipt to get a new money order if your first money order is lost or stolen, so there's less risk when carrying it to the recipient.

Fees and limits

Typical costs

In addition to the money you're putting into the money order, you'll be expected to pay some service fees. Most of the time, these fees are low; you can expect to pay a few dollars. Banks might charge higher fees, though.

You might end up paying more if you find a place that lets you pay for a money order with a credit card. You'll want to ask the provider how the transaction will be processed. Some stores will run money order purchases as credit card cash advances, which could cause you to rack up fees and interest charges.

Maximum amounts

Money orders have a maximum amount of $1,000 per money order. You can get multiple money orders if you need to transfer more than that, but if you're transferring a significant amount of money, you might want to go with another transfer method, such as ACH payments.

Depending on where you go or where you're transferring to, the maximum amount for your money order might be less. For example, the post office only lets you send $700 internationally, and limits you to $500 for specific countries.

FAQs

How much does it cost to make a money order?

Money orders generally cost less than $5. The precise fee depends on the location and the size of your money order.

Can I make a money order payable to myself?

You can make a money order payable to yourself, if you want to transfer your money or cash.

How do I cancel a money order?

Go to the institution who issued you the money order with the receipt from your purchase to cancel your order. This may involve a cancellation fee.

What should I do if my money order is lost or stolen?

Immediately report the loss or theft to the institution who made your money order. As long as you have your original receipt, they should be able to issue you a new money order and cancel out the old one.

Can I purchase a money order with a credit card?

Most places don't let you use a credit card to purchase a money order. Those that do might charge significant hidden fees.

Clint Proctor

Clint Proctor is a freelance writer and founder ofWalletWiseGuy.com, where he writes about how students and millennials can win with money. When he's away from his keyboard,he enjoys drinking coffee, traveling, obsessing over the Green Bay Packers, and spending time with his wife and two boys.