Chase does not sell money orders at the teller window or through its branches

If you have a Chase checking or savings account, you cannot walk into a Chase branch and buy a money order from a teller. Chase stopped offering money orders to customers years ago and has not resumed the service. This applies to all Chase locations nationwide.

The reason Chase discontinued money orders is straightforward: the bank decided the service was not profitable enough to maintain. Money orders are low-margin products that require manual processing, and Chase shifted its resources toward digital payments and other services. If you need a money order, you will have to get one elsewhere.

The good news is that money orders are widely available from other sources, and most are cheaper and faster than they would be at a bank anyway. You have several reliable options within a short distance of most locations.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase branches do not issue money orders, even if you are a customer with an account in good standing.
  • Walmart, grocery stores, and post offices all sell money orders for $1 to $3 per order, depending on the amount.
  • Money orders from the U.S. Postal Service are backed by federal may provide, making them safer than personal checks for large payments.
  • You can buy a money order in person with cash or a debit card at most retailers within minutes, with no waiting period.

Where to buy a money order instead

Walmart is the fastest and cheapest option for most people. Walmart sells money orders at the customer service desk in amounts up to $1,000 per order. The fee is typically $0.88 for orders under $1,000 and $1.88 for orders of $1,000 or more. You can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card. Most Walmart locations are open early and late, and the transaction takes about five minutes.

The U.S. Postal Service sells money orders at every post office. USPS money orders cost $1.45 for amounts up to $500 and $1.95 for amounts from $500.01 to $1,000. USPS money orders carry a federal may provide, which means if the money order is lost or stolen, you can file a claim with the Postal Service and receive a replacement. This makes USPS money orders slightly more secure than those from retailers, though the difference matters mainly for large amounts or high-risk situations.

Most grocery stores and supermarkets sell money orders at the customer service counter or checkout. Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and regional chains typically charge $1 to $2 per order. Hours and availability vary by location, so call ahead if you are going to a specific store. Some grocery stores limit the amount per order to $500.

Check-cashing stores and payday loan shops also sell money orders, but their fees are usually higher—$2 to $5 per order—so they should be your last resort unless you are in an area where other options are not available.

What you need to buy a money order

You do not need a bank account or ID to buy a money order at most retailers. You need cash or a debit card to pay for it, and you need to know the name of the person or business the money order is going to (the payee). Write that name down or have it ready when you go to the counter.

If you are buying a money order at the post office, bring a form of ID. The USPS requires identification for money orders over $3,000, but it is good practice to bring ID anyway. At Walmart and grocery stores, ID is not required unless you are paying with a check, which is rare.

The money order itself will have a blank line for the payee's name. The cashier will fill in the amount and your name as the purchaser. You sign the back of the money order before handing it over. Do not sign it before you reach the counter—the cashier needs to see you sign it.

How money orders work when you send them

Once you have the money order, you mail it or hand it directly to the person or business you are paying. They take it to their bank or a check-cashing location and deposit or cash it. The money order is treated like a check—it is a may provide payment instrument, so the recipient does not have to worry about the funds bouncing.

Money orders typically clear within one to three business days after the recipient deposits them, depending on the bank. If you are mailing the money order, add three to five days for postal delivery. If the money order is lost or stolen in the mail, you can file a claim with the issuer (Walmart, USPS, or whoever sold it to you) and request a replacement or refund, though this process takes time.

Keep your receipt from the money order purchase. The receipt has a tracking number that you will need if you ever have to file a claim. Write down the amount, the payee's name, and the date you bought it, and keep that information with the receipt.

When a money order makes sense versus other payment methods

Use a money order when the recipient does not accept credit cards, does not have a bank account to receive a wire transfer, or when you need a may provide payment that cannot bounce. Landlords, utilities, and government agencies often prefer money orders or checks because they are official payment records.

Do not use a money order if you can use a bank transfer, ACH payment, or bill pay through your Chase account instead. Those methods are free, faster, and leave a digital record. Money orders cost money and require you to leave your house.

If you are paying someone you do not know or trust, a money order is safer than cash because it is traceable and can be replaced if lost. If you are paying a business that has a website or phone number, ask if they accept ACH transfers or credit card payments before you buy a money order.

What to do if you need a money order urgently

If you need a money order today, Walmart and most grocery stores are your fastest options. Both are usually open until 9 or 10 p.m., and the transaction takes five minutes. Post offices close earlier—usually by 5 or 6 p.m.—so plan accordingly.

If it is after hours and you absolutely need a money order, check whether any 24-hour Walmart locations are near you. Some Walmart Supercenters have customer service desks that stay open late. Call ahead to confirm before you drive there.

If you cannot leave your house, you cannot buy a money order online and have it mailed to you. Money orders must be purchased in person. However, you can ask the person you are paying whether they will accept a bank transfer, ACH payment, or digital payment method instead. Many will, and those can be done from your Chase account in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a money order with my Chase debit card?

Yes. Walmart, grocery stores, and the post office all accept debit cards for money order purchases. You can also pay with cash. Credit cards are accepted at Walmart and most grocery stores but not at the post office.

What is the maximum amount for a single money order?

Most retailers cap money orders at $1,000 per order. If you need to send more than $1,000, you can buy multiple money orders. The post office allows up to $1,000 per order as well, but you can buy as many as you need in a single visit.

Can I cancel a money order after I buy it?

Yes, but only if you have not given it to anyone yet. Take the money order and your receipt back to the place where you bought it within a reasonable time frame (usually 30 days). They will issue a refund minus a small cancellation fee, typically $1 to $2. If the money order has already been cashed or deposited, you cannot cancel it.

Is a money order safer than a personal check?

Yes. A money order is may provide by the issuer, so the funds are already set aside. A personal check can bounce if your account does not have enough money. For large payments or payments to people you do not know well, a money order is the safer choice.

How long does a money order take to clear?

Most money orders clear within one to three business days after the recipient deposits them at a bank. If you mail it, add three to five days for delivery. The exact timing depends on the recipient's bank and how quickly they deposit it.