Does the Post Office Do Money Orders?

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers money orders, a reliable method for sending funds. A money order functions as a prepaid financial document, much like a check, serving as a secure alternative to cash or personal checks. Because the value is paid upfront, a money order is guaranteed by the issuer, which helps prevent issues such as insufficient funds. This makes them a widely accepted payment option for various transactions.

How to Purchase a Money Order

Acquiring a money order from the Post Office involves a straightforward process. Before visiting a Post Office location, determine the exact amount you wish to send and ensure you have the recipient’s full name and address.

At the Post Office counter, you can pay for your money order using cash, a debit card, or traveler’s checks. Credit cards are generally not accepted for money order purchases. A retail associate will assist you in filling out the money order. You will pay the face value of the money order along with a small issuing fee. Collect your customer receipt, as it contains important information needed for tracking or any future inquiries.

Completing and Using a Money Order

After purchasing your money order, the next steps involve accurately completing it and ensuring its proper use. On the money order itself, clearly write the full name of the person or organization receiving the funds in the “Pay to” section. Fill in your own name and address in the “From” or “Purchaser” section. For clarity, you may add a brief memo, such as an account number or purpose of payment, in the designated field.

Retaining the customer receipt is important, as it serves as your record and contains the serial number, Post Office number, and dollar amount. This information is necessary to track the money order’s status or initiate an inquiry. The recipient can cash or deposit the money order at any Post Office location, most banks, or some retail stores. To cash a money order, the recipient must present a valid photo identification and sign the money order.

If a money order is lost or stolen, direct stop payments are not possible. However, a replacement can be requested by filing PS Form 6401, a Money Order Inquiry, at any Post Office. This process requires the original customer receipt and typically involves an inquiry fee. The investigation can take 30 to 60 days, after which a replacement money order, not a direct refund, may be issued.

Money Order Amounts and Costs

The USPS sets limits on the value of individual money orders and charges fees. A single domestic money order has a maximum face value of $1,000. If you need to send a larger sum, you can purchase multiple money orders, each subject to this limit. While there is no daily limit on the number of money orders you can buy, a total daily purchase of $3,000 or more requires completion of a specific form and identification.

Fees for domestic money orders vary by amount. For values from $0.01 to $500.00, the fee is $2.55. For values from $500.01 to $1,000.00, the fee is $3.60. Military money orders, issued at military facilities, have a fee of $0.84. The USPS discontinued the sale of international money orders on September 30, 2024, and will no longer cash them after September 30, 2025.