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Money orders are a safe form of payment that can be used as an alternative to a check or cash. These paper documents offer guaranteed funds, but unlike a check, they’re prepaid and aren’t tied to a bank account.
Several different types of institutions issue money orders, including post offices and grocery stores. Consumers purchase the money order by paying the amount they intend to send plus a fee to the issuer.
Generally, money orders can be purchased for any amount up to a certain number. At the post office, for example, you can send up to $1,000 with a single money order anywhere within the U.S.
With the purchase of a money order, the sender receives a paper document, similar to a check, that includes the payment amount. The document requires the sender to fill out some information, including:
Once the fields are filled in, the money order can be sent to the payee. The payee can cash or deposit it like a check, without the risk of it bouncing, since the full amount was already paid.
There are certain circumstances when money orders can be safer or more convenient than personal checks or cash.
Some of these circumstances include:
The cost of a money order — in addition to the amount to be sent — depends on where it’s purchased, but fees generally range from $1 to $5.
Here’s what you can expect to pay at various places for a domestic money order:
| Institution | Cost per money order |
|---|---|
| *Fees may vary by state. | |
| U.S. Postal Service | $2 for amounts up to $500, $2.90 for amounts of $500.01 to $1,000 |
| Walmart | Up to $1 |
| Kroger | $1 with a Krofer Shopper’s card, $1.10 without a card* |
| Chase Bank | $5 |
| Wells Fargo | $5 |
| Truist | $5 |
International money orders aren’t as widely available, and institutions that carry international money orders tend to charge more. The U.S. Postal Service, for instance, charges an issuing fee of $49.65, plus a processing fee that varies by country. If you’re looking to send money internationally, you may want to consider more affordable alternatives, such as by using Wise to make an ACH transfer.
Money orders can be cashed at a number of different locations, including banks, grocery stores or check-cashing stores. You’ll typically get the best deal, however, by cashing it at the same place it was issued. That’s because some institutions charge a fee for cashing orders from other issuers.
Money orders can also be deposited directly into a checking or savings account by bringing them to the bank.
To cash a money order:
If a money order is lost or stolen, contact the issuer as soon as possible and explain what happened. The issuer may be able to replace or refund the lost money order. If your money order hasn’t been cashed, the issuer might be able to cancel it.
Be prepared to provide details, including the money order’s tracking number, purchase date and amount, as well as the receipt, if possible. It can take up to 30 days for the issuer to confirm the money order’s loss or theft.
Depending on the issuer, you may have to pay a fee. For example, Western Union charges $15 for a refund — $3 for money orders of less than $20. The Postal Service charges a flat rate of $17.30.
Money orders are generally a safe alternative to cash or checks, since only the payee can cash or deposit it for the amount printed on its face. As long as you save the receipt, you can track your payment and recover any funds if it’s lost, stolen or damaged.
There are plenty of scams involving money orders. Make sure to verify the funds with the issuer if you aren’t sure it’s legitimate. Report any suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
Money orders typically have a validity period of one to three years, but the specific time frame can vary by issuer. If a money order isn’t cashed within the designated time frame, it becomes stale or expired, and the issuer may no longer honor it.
Some issuers may charge a fee for replacing a stale money order or for refunding the amount. These fees can vary depending on the issuer’s policies.
Not all issuers put an expiration date on money orders. Domestic money orders issued by the U.S. Postal Service, for example, never expire.
Money orders can be obtained from a variety of sources, including post offices and convenience stores, and are often used for smaller transactions due to their lower purchase limits. Meanwhile, cashier’s checks are issued exclusively by banks and credit unions and are commonly used for large transactions.
Both are prepaid instruments, but a cashier’s check has the added layer of security by being guaranteed by a bank’s funds. However, a cashier’s check tends to come with higher fees.
Like checks, money orders are paper documents that allow for the purchaser to specify the payee and amount. On the other hand, they are prepaid, so they can function similarly to cash. There’s no risk of a money order bouncing, and if it’s lost or stolen, you can often receive a refund or cancel it.
If you’re looking for a secure, inexpensive way to send or receive funds, money orders can be a good option.
Mitch Strohm is a regular contributor for Bankrate. Based out of Nashville, Tennessee, he has been reporting on the finance space for more than 12 years. Since 2010, Mitch has written and edited articles for Bankrate on topics including mortgages, banking, credit cards, loans, home equity and personal finance. His work has also been seen on sites including Business Insider, Clark Howard, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, Interest.com and Bankaholic.com.
