Yes. The US Post Office sells domestic money orders up to $1,000 for a small fee.
Yes
The US Postal Service sells domestic money orders up to $1,000 each.
Fee
$2.10 for up to $500 (fees can change), and $2.70 for $500.01 to $1,000. Check usps.com for current fees.
How to buy
Bring cash, a debit card or traveler’s check and ID, and fill out the form. Keep the receipt.
Limits
You can buy up to 25 money orders in one transaction, or $3,000 in one day, with ID needed above $3,000. Tracking is available.
International
International money orders are up to $700 (varies).
Refund
Lost or stolen money orders can be replaced with the receipt.
Alternatives
Western Union, banks and Walmart.
Money order versus check
A money order is prepaid, so the receiver knows the funds are there. A personal check can bounce.
What you need
- Cash, debit card or traveler check for the amount plus the fee.
- Photo ID may be needed for larger amounts.
- The name of the person or business you are paying and your own address.
How to fill it out
- Write the payee in the “Pay to” line.
- Write your name and address in the “From” or purchaser line.
- Add the memo or account number.
- Keep the receipt, which has the serial number needed to trace or refund the order.
Where else to buy
- Banks and credit unions, often free for customers.
- Grocery stores and convenience stores, through Western Union or MoneyGram.
- Check cashing stores.
- Walmart.
Cashing and depositing
The payee signs the back, then cashes or deposits it. Banks usually hold funds for a short period for verification. USPS money orders do not expire, but you may pay a fee on old orders in some cases.
Scam warning
Be careful of overpayment scams, where someone sends you a money order for more than owed and asks you to send back the difference. Fake money orders are often found out only days or weeks after you deposit them.
Rules for filling out and handling
A US Postal Service money order can be bought at a post office counter for amounts up to 1,000 USD each, and the fee in recent schedules is about 2.00 USD for amounts up to 500 USD and about 2.75 USD for 500.01 to 1,000 USD. You pay with cash, debit card or traveler’s checks, but credit cards are not accepted. Fill out the “Pay to” name, your name and address as purchaser and the memo. Use ink, and do not leave blanks, since a blank payee can be filled in by someone who finds it. Keep the customer receipt, which has the serial number and lets you trace or replace a lost money order, with an inquiry fee of about 3.40 USD in recent schedules. Money orders are valid for years but may incur fees after one year at some issuers.
Alternatives and scam warnings
Money orders can also be bought at grocery stores, Walmart, banks and Western Union locations. The FTC warns that scammers often ask for payment by money order or gift card, and that fake cashier’s checks and money orders are used in overpayment scams. A money order issued by the USPS is not guaranteed to be real just because it looks official, so verify through the USPS Money Order Verification at 1-866-459-7822 before accepting one for a sale. Never wire back extra money from an overpayment. Money orders are not the same as personal checks, and they are not insured against loss unless the purchaser has the receipt. Banks may hold deposits of money orders for several days in some cases.
Based on data from the USPS and the FTC
