USPS Money Orders: How They Work and What You Need to Know

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U.S. Postal Service money orders have been around for a long time. The USPS introduced them in 1864 to provide a safe way for soldiers and others to send money over long distances. Money orders have stood the test of time because they are an affordable and safe alternative to cash and checks. Plus, they do not have an expiration date.

To purchase a USPS money order, visit any U.S. post office location. You might also be able to buy a money order from a rural USPS carrier or a contract postal unit.

As of Sept. 30, 2024, USPS no longer sells international mail orders

How Much Does USPS Charge for a Money Order?

Money order fees will vary depending on the amount of the money order and whether you are sending it domestically or to a military address.

Fee for Domestic Money Orders

• $0.01-$500: $2.35
• $500.01-$1,000: $3.40

Note that you can’t send more than $1,000 in a single money order.

Fee for Military Money Orders

Postal military money orders, which you must purchase at military facilities, are $0.79 each, no matter the amount.

How to Purchase a USPS Money Order

You can’t use a credit card or a check to pay for a money order. The acceptable forms of payment when purchasing a money order include:

• U.S. currency and coins
• Established traveler’s checks payable in U.S. dollars, as long as the purchase is for at least 50% of the value of the checks
• ATM or debit cards at locations that have a PIN pad

Where Can You Buy USPS Money Orders?

Money orders can’t be purchased online. You must buy them in-person. 

USPS isn’t the only place you can purchase money orders, but they usually have some of the lowest fees. Use this tool to find a USPS location near you.

Walmart, 7-11 and your bank are also good places to purchase money orders. However, each vendor might have different money order limits and fees. For example, 7-11 only lets you send $500 in a single money order. Wells Fargo will send money orders up to $1,000, but they charge almost twice as much as USPS at $5.

Walmart is one of the few vendors that has lower fees than the USPS and offers a $1,000 sending limit.

How To Fill Out a USPS Money Order

When you purchase a money order from the USPS, only the dollar amount is printed on it. You must write in the remaining fields. Most importantly, fill out the “Pay to” and “From” portions of the money order as soon as you purchase it. If you leave these fields blank, anyone can fill them in and cash the money order and you will not be eligible for a refund. 

According to the USPS, you should fill out the money order in front of the postal associate at the time of purchase. Filling out a USPS money order is similar to writing a check, which you can do in a few quick steps:

1. Clearly print the payee’s name on the “Pay to” line. The payee can be a person or a business.
2. Enter the payee’s address beneath the “Pay to” line if you know it.
3. Print your name on the “From” line. If the money order is for a payment, write your billing address on the “Address” line beneath the “From” line.
4. Use the “Memo” line to add information, such as an account number, order number or reason for payment, if applicable.

Some money orders require your signature, like writing a check. However, you’re not required to sign the front of a USPS money order. Don’t sign the back, either. The payee endorses the back to deposit or cash it.

Be sure to keep the receipt for your money order so you can check its status or request a refund if it is lost or stolen.

USPS Money Order Limits

USPS money order purchase limits are $1,000. You can purchase as many money orders as you want at one time. 

However, if you purchase more than $3,000 in money orders at one time or during the span of one day, you’ll have to fill out a Funds Transaction Report and show your ID.

Tracking and Replacing Lost or Stolen USPS Money Orders

You can track a USPS money order using the Postal Service’s “Check Money Order Status” tool. You’ll need the following information from the money order:  

• Serial number
• Post office number
• Issued amount

Replacing Damaged USPS Money Orders

If the money order is damaged, either by the person receiving or sending the money order, the post office will replace it without a fee. You just need to bring the damaged money order to the post office.

Replacing Stolen or Lost USPS Money Orders

There is no stop payment on money orders, but the USPS will replace one that is lost or stolen. To start the process, take the receipt to the post office. If you lost the receipt, you may still be able to get a replacement.

Tell the clerk you need to fill out PS Form 6401 (Money Order Inquiry). They will not be able to issue you a new money order right away. Because of the potential for fraud, the post office will investigate the lost or stolen money order. This usually takes 30-60 days.

Once the investigation is complete and the postal office determines there is no fraud, you will have to pay a fee to get a replacement money order.

USPS Money Orders for International Payments

On Oct. 1, 2024, USPS stopped selling international money orders. However, if you haven’t cashed your international money order yet, you have until Sept. 30, 2025 to do so.

If you miss that deadline, the person who purchased the money order must fill out PS Form 6401, Money Order Inquiry to get a refund. 

You can mail the form to:

The purchaser should receive their money 10 days after the form is processed.

Security and Safety of USPS Money Orders

Sending money orders through the mail is safer than mailing cash or a personal check.

Unfortunately, as with many forms of payment, fraud can occur. To determine whether a USPS money order you have received is real, call the money order verification system at 866-459-7822.

To report money order fraud, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.

Is a USPS Money Order the Right Payment Choice for You?

When you purchase a USPS money order, fill it out immediately in case it is lost or stolen. 

Also, keep your receipt until you know the recipient has successfully cashed or deposited the money order. You’ll need the receipt to track the money order or request a refund if there is a problem.

Andrea Norris contributed to the reporting for this article.

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