Do Post Office Money Orders Expire?
Understand the long-term validity and status of USPS money orders, including how to manage their value over time.
United States Postal Service (USPS) money orders offer a reliable and secure method for sending funds, serving as a trusted alternative to cash or personal checks. These financial instruments are widely accepted and can be a convenient way to ensure a payment reaches its intended recipient without the need for a bank account. Understanding their characteristics, including their validity and how to manage them, is beneficial for both purchasers and recipients.
Expiration of Money Orders
USPS domestic money orders do not expire and do not accrue interest or service charges over time. This means they retain their full face value indefinitely, regardless of how long they remain uncashed. The principal amount paid for the money order will always be available to the rightful owner. The full value of a USPS money order remains intact, ensuring its usability for payment whenever it is presented.
Cashing and Validity
Cashing a USPS money order is a straightforward process, whether it was recently purchased or has been held for some time. Recipients can cash these money orders at any Post Office location without incurring any fees. Many banks and some retail establishments also accept USPS money orders for cashing, although they may require the recipient to have an account or may charge a small service fee. It is important to endorse the money order only when at the cashing location, in the presence of the teller or associate, and to present a valid form of photo identification. Acceptable identification typically includes a state-issued driver’s license, a state identification card, or a passport.
Requesting a Refund for Lost or Uncashed Orders
If a USPS money order is lost, stolen, damaged, or remains uncashed by the payee, the original purchaser can initiate an inquiry to reclaim the funds. A lost or stolen order can be replaced. To begin this process, the purchaser must complete PS Form 6401, titled “Money Order Inquiry,” which is available at any Post Office location. This form requires specific details, including the money order’s serial number, the amount, and the date of purchase, all found on the original purchase receipt.
There is an inquiry fee, which is typically around $5.20, to process the PS Form 6401. After the form is submitted, the USPS investigates the status of the money order. Confirmation of a lost or stolen money order can take approximately 30 days, with the full investigation potentially extending up to 60 days. A replacement money order is typically issued if the original has not been cashed after this period. If the money order was never used or is no longer needed by the payee, the purchaser can request a replacement made out to themselves, allowing them to then cash it.