How to Trace a Postal Money Order

A postal money order serves as a secure financial instrument for sending money reliably. It functions like a check but is guaranteed by the issuing postal service. Tracing a money order may be necessary if it is lost, stolen, or to confirm if the recipient cashed it. Understanding the tracing process helps address these situations effectively.

Gathering Required Information for Tracing

Initiating a money order trace requires specific information and documentation. The purchaser’s receipt is crucial, serving as proof of purchase and containing unique identifiers. It includes the money order’s serial number, purchase amount, and transaction date. Without this receipt, tracing is difficult.

Obtain PS Form 6401, “Request for Money Order Information.” It’s available for download from the postal service website or at any local post office. Accurate completion is vital for a successful inquiry. The form requires the money order serial number, found on your receipt.

You must enter the exact dollar amount of the money order and the specific date it was purchased. The form also asks for complete identifying details for both the purchaser and the payee, including their full names and current mailing addresses. Ensuring all these fields are filled out precisely, referencing the purchaser’s receipt for accuracy, streamlines the inquiry process.

Initiating a Money Order Inquiry

Once all necessary information has been gathered and PS Form 6401 accurately completed, the next step is to submit the inquiry. The standard method is to mail the completed PS Form 6401, along with the original purchaser’s receipt, to the designated Money Order Inquiry Office. This office is typically located in a central processing facility.

Include the original purchaser’s receipt for verifiable details. A non-refundable processing fee is required. This fee, typically $6.75 to $7.75, must be included with your form. While mailing is primary, some local post offices accept in-person submissions.

The fee covers administrative costs. Correct submission ensures the inquiry proceeds without delay. Ensure payment is in the proper format.

Understanding Inquiry Outcomes

After the money order inquiry has been submitted, there is a processing period before an outcome is determined. The typical processing time for an inquiry often takes approximately 60 days from the date of submission. For more complex cases, the resolution might extend up to 120 days.

Upon completion, you will receive official notification of the money order’s status. Outcomes include confirmation that it was cashed, indicating a completed transaction. Alternatively, it may show the money order was not cashed, or was lost or stolen.

If the inquiry confirms the money order was not cashed, or was lost or stolen, a refund process can be initiated. This involves the postal service verifying the status and issuing a refund or replacement to the original purchaser. The refund process ensures the purchaser does not incur a financial loss if the money order was never redeemed.