How do you get a money order?
Money orders are sold by a variety of institutions. These are some examples:
- The United States Postal Service (USPS)
- Various retail banks, eg Wells Fargo
- Certain retailers, such as pharmacies, supermarkets, department stores, and convenience stores
- Check Cashing and Payroll Loan Establishments
Prepare a payment method for both the face value of the MO and the fee. When you purchase a money order from your bank, you can usually pay the face value of the MO as well as the charge with funds from your checking or savings account.
How to send a money order
Send a money order the same way you would a check. Place the MO’ in an envelope, write the recipient’s address and return address on the front, then add postage. You can also deliver an MO’ in person.
How to send an international money order:
International money orders allow you to send money to someone outside of the United States, but the purchase limitations and costs differ from those of domestic money orders. For example, the USPS has a purchase limit of $700 for foreign money orders ($500 for orders to El Salvador or Guyana). There is an issuance fee of $12.25 plus a processing fee that varies by receiving nation. When collecting or depositing the MO’ in its country of origin, costs may be charged to the recipient.
How and where to cash a money order
A money order can usually be cashed at your bank, the issuer, some retailers, check cash stores, and other institutions; however, there may be a cost.
Cashing an MO’ at the issuing institution generally results in the lowest fees. Money orders are often free to deposit into your bank account.
When depositing or collecting it, you must endorse it on the back. Do not sign the MO until you are ready to cash or deposit it; you may be required to sign it in front of the cashier or clerk, and you may be required to show a government-issued photo ID.
What you need to complete a money order
The procedures for completing a money order differ depending on the institution, whether it is Western Union or the United States Postal Service. The appearance of each institution’s MO may also differ slightly. In general, you will need the following information to complete an MO’:
- Name of the payee (i.e. the person being paid)
- Address of beneficiary
- Payment amount
- Your name and mailing address
- The purpose of payment and/or billing account number
To purchase the money order, you will also need to provide payment. Some issuers also limit your payment options. You almost certainly won’t be able to buy a money order with a credit card.
How to complete a money order
#1. Fill in the name of the beneficiary
Fill in the field “pay to” or “pay to the order of” with the name of the beneficiary of the payment order. It can be the name of a person or a company. Write the name in bold.
This form must be completed as soon as the money order is purchased, as this is the only person authorized to cash or deposit it. If the MO’ is lost or misplaced without a beneficiary’s name written on it, it may be subject to fraud and someone else’s name may be written on it.
Fill in your name in the fields labeled “from”, “buyer” or “sender” if you have the option. How Long Is A Money Order Good For?
#2. Include your address in the buyer’s section
Enter your address where the MO’ asks for buyers. There may be a second address field to enter the recipient’s address. If so, you must also complete it.
#3. Write the account or order number in the memo field
A memo line allows you to specify what the MO is for. For example, the memo could indicate that it is a purchase of a certain item or a payment of a debt. If you have a payee account or order number, please enter that in the notes area as well. Certain money orders may say “payment by” or “account number” instead of the note.
#4. Sign your name in the buyer signature section
Sign the MO’ on the front where indicated. Buyer Signature, Buyer, From, Signer, or Drawer are all possible labels for this section. Do not sign the money order, which is where the payee endorses it.
#5. Save your receipt
Save the receipt because it provides a tracking number that can be used to determine if the money order was cashed by the correct person. If the MO’ is lost or stolen, the tracking number will help you replace it. When changing an MO’, a processing fee may apply.
If your plans change, the receipt can help you cancel the MO’.
