Yes, most banks issue money orders, but not all branches carry them and some charge fees
You can get a money order from your bank, but you need to check first whether your specific branch stocks them. Large national banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase offer money orders at most locations, but smaller regional banks and credit unions may not. Call ahead or visit in person to confirm your branch has them in stock—some only order them on request, which takes a few days.
Banks typically charge between $5 and $10 per money order, though fees vary by institution and the amount you're ordering. Some banks waive the fee if you maintain a certain account balance or have a premium checking account. The maximum amount you can order at a bank is usually $1,000 per money order, though you can buy multiple orders if you need to send more.
The process is straightforward: bring cash or a debit card, tell the teller the amount and who the money order is payable to, and they'll issue it on the spot. You'll receive the money order itself plus a receipt stub for your records. The whole transaction takes about five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Not every bank branch carries money orders in stock, so call or visit your branch before you go to confirm availability.
- Bank money orders cost $5 to $10 each and have a maximum amount of $1,000 per order.
- The post office, Walmart, and other retailers often charge less than banks and have longer hours.
- You'll need to know the exact payee name and amount before you arrive, and bring cash or a debit card to pay.
- Keep your receipt stub until the money order is cashed, in case you need to report it as lost or uncashed.
How to fill out a money order at the bank
The teller will usually fill in most of the money order for you, but you need to provide the payee name—the person or business the money order is payable to. Write this name exactly as it appears on their account or business registration, with no abbreviations or nicknames. If you get the name wrong, the recipient may not be able to cash it.
You'll also need to decide whether to add a memo line. This is optional and typically used for things like "rent for March" or "invoice #12345" so the recipient knows what the payment is for. The memo line is for your reference and the recipient's—it doesn't affect how the money order works.
Sign the money order in the "purchaser" or "sender" field. Do not sign the back of the money order—that's where the recipient signs when they cash it. If you sign the back, the money order becomes harder to cash and may be rejected.
When a bank money order costs more than other options
The U.S. Postal Service charges $1.45 to $2.00 per money order depending on the amount, which is significantly less than most banks. Walmart charges $0.88 for money orders up to $1,000 and $1.48 for orders between $1,000 and $5,000. If you're sending multiple money orders or the amount is large, the post office or Walmart will save you money.
Banks make sense when you're already there for another transaction or when your bank waives the fee as part of your account benefits. They also make sense if you need the money order immediately and your bank is open while the post office is closed. For routine money order needs, though, the post office is usually the cheapest option.
Some retailers like CVS and Walgreens also issue money orders, though availability varies by location. Call ahead to confirm they have them in stock and what their fee is.
What to do if your bank doesn't carry money orders
If your bank doesn't issue money orders, the post office is your most reliable backup. Every post office in the country issues money orders during business hours, and you can also order them online through USPS.com and pick them up at your local branch. Online orders take one business day to process.
Walmart and other major retailers are open longer than banks and post offices, so they're useful if you need a money order outside normal business hours. Walmart locations are typically open until 10 or 11 p.m., and some are open 24 hours. Check the hours of your nearest location before you go.
If you have a credit union instead of a bank, call ahead—some credit unions issue money orders and some don't. If yours doesn't, the post office is usually within a few miles.
How to track a money order if it goes missing
Keep your receipt stub from the bank. It contains the money order number, the amount, the payee name, and the date issued. If the money order is lost or never arrives, you'll need this number to file a claim with the bank or post office.
Contact the issuer (your bank, the post office, or the retailer) with your receipt stub and explain that the money order was lost or not received. They'll search their records to see if it's been cashed. If it hasn't been cashed, they can issue you a replacement. If it has been cashed, they'll provide you with proof so you can follow up with the recipient.
The process typically takes 30 to 60 days. During that time, the issuer investigates whether the money order cleared. If you need the money urgently, this is a significant delay, which is why keeping your receipt is critical.
Money orders versus cashier's checks at the bank
A cashier's check is similar to a money order but is issued by the bank itself rather than a third-party service. Cashier's checks have no maximum amount, so they're better for large payments like a down payment on a house or a car. Money orders max out at $1,000 per order.
Cashier's checks typically cost $10 to $15 and take longer to issue—usually 10 to 15 minutes because the teller has to verify funds and print the check. Money orders are faster and cheaper. For amounts under $1,000, a money order is usually the better choice.
Both are considered safer than personal checks because the funds are may provide by the bank or issuer. Neither can bounce. If you're paying a landlord, a business, or someone you don't know well, either option signals that the money is good.
What happens when you buy a money order with a debit card versus cash
Most banks accept both cash and debit cards for money orders. If you use a debit card, the transaction will show up on your bank statement, which creates a record of the payment. This is useful if you need proof later that you sent the money.
If you pay with cash, there's no record on your statement—only your receipt stub from the money order itself. This doesn't make the money order less legitimate, but it does mean you have only the receipt to prove you bought it. Keep that receipt in a safe place.
Some banks have daily limits on how many money orders you can buy or how much total value you can order in a single day. Ask your teller if there are limits before you try to buy multiple orders at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order online from my bank and pick it up in person?
Most banks don't offer this service. The post office does—you can order money orders on USPS.com and pick them up at your local branch within one business day. Some banks may allow you to call ahead and have a teller prepare one, but this varies by institution.
What if I make a mistake filling out the money order?
If the teller filled it out and made an error, ask them to void it and issue a new one. If you made a mistake after leaving the bank, contact the issuer with your receipt stub and explain the error. They can't change a money order that's already been issued, but they can help you file a claim if it hasn't been cashed.
Do I need an account at the bank to buy a money order there?
No. Most banks issue money orders to anyone, whether or not you have an account. You'll need to bring cash or a debit card to pay, and a valid ID may be required depending on the bank's policy.
How long does a money order stay valid?
Money orders don't expire, but some issuers charge a fee if one goes uncashed for a very long time—typically two to three years. Check with your bank or the post office about their specific policy. Once issued, a money order is valid indefinitely unless the issuer's policy states otherwise.
Can I cancel a money order after I've bought it?
Yes, but only if it hasn't been cashed. Contact the issuer with your receipt stub and request a cancellation. They'll verify that it hasn't been cashed and issue you a refund, usually minus a small fee ($1 to $5). The process takes 30 to 60 days.