Deposit a money order at your bank branch, ATM, or through mobile deposit — the method depends on what your bank offers and how quickly you need the funds available.
Money orders are treated like checks by banks. You endorse the back (sign it), write your account number on the back, and hand it to a teller, insert it into an ATM, or photograph it with your phone. Most banks credit the funds within one to three business days, though some hold money orders longer than checks if the amount is large or the issuer is unfamiliar.
The fastest route is usually a teller at your bank branch, because they can confirm the money order is valid on the spot and tell you exactly when the funds will post. ATMs and mobile deposit are convenient but offer no real-time feedback if something is wrong with the money order.
Key Takeaways
- You must endorse the back of the money order by signing it, and write your account number on the back before depositing.
- Bank tellers can verify the money order immediately and tell you the exact posting date; ATMs and mobile deposit cannot.
- Most banks hold money orders for one to three business days, but large amounts or unfamiliar issuers may trigger a longer hold.
- If a money order is damaged, altered, or issued by an unfamiliar company, the bank may reject it or delay the deposit.
- Money orders issued by the U.S. Postal Service, Western Union, and MoneyGram are accepted by nearly all banks; smaller issuers may not be.
Endorsing the money order correctly
Turn the money order over to the back. On the line marked "Endorse here" or similar, sign your name exactly as it appears on the front. Do not print your name — sign it. If the money order is made out to multiple people (you and someone else), both people must sign unless the money order says "or" between the names. If it says "and," both signatures are required.
Below your signature, write your bank account number. Some banks also ask you to write "For deposit only" above your account number, though this is not required by law. This phrase simply tells anyone who sees the money order that it is meant for deposit and cannot be cashed as cash.
Do not sign the front of the money order. Do not write anything on the front except what was already printed there. Alterations to the front can cause the bank to reject the deposit.
Depositing at a bank branch in person
Walk into your bank during business hours with the endorsed money order and your debit card or ID. Hand the money order to a teller along with your account number or debit card. The teller will scan or examine the money order, verify it is legitimate, and enter it into the system. They will give you a receipt showing the deposit amount and the expected posting date.
Ask the teller two questions: "When will this post to my account?" and "Is there a hold on this deposit?" Most money orders post within one business day if deposited before the bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on weekdays). If you deposit after cutoff or on a weekend, the posting date moves to the next business day. Large amounts — typically over $5,000 — may trigger a hold of three to five business days while the bank verifies the money order with the issuer.
Keep your receipt until the money order appears in your account. If it does not post by the date the teller gave you, call the bank and reference the receipt number.
Using an ATM to deposit a money order
Some banks allow money order deposits at ATMs, though not all do. Check your bank's website or call customer service to confirm your bank accepts money order deposits at ATMs. If it does, insert the endorsed money order into the slot marked for checks or deposits. The ATM will scan it, display the amount on screen, and ask you to confirm. Press confirm, and the machine will accept the deposit.
The ATM will give you a receipt showing the deposit amount, but it will not tell you the posting date or whether a hold applies. You will need to check your account online or call the bank the next day to see if the money order has posted. If your bank does not show the deposit within two business days, contact customer service with your ATM receipt.
ATM deposits are riskier than teller deposits because the machine cannot verify that the money order is valid or that it has not been altered. If the money order is rejected, you will not know until the bank processes it, which can take several days.
Mobile deposit using your phone
Open your bank's mobile app and select "Deposit a check" or "Mobile deposit." Photograph the front and back of the endorsed money order in good lighting. The app will display the amount it reads from the money order. Review it for accuracy, confirm the deposit, and submit. The app will give you a confirmation number and an estimated posting date, usually one to two business days.
Mobile deposit works the same way as ATM deposit: the bank cannot verify the money order in real time, so rejections or holds may not appear until after you have submitted it. Keep the physical money order in a safe place until the deposit posts and you receive a confirmation from the bank that it has been accepted.
Some banks limit the amount you can deposit per day or per month through mobile deposit. If your money order exceeds that limit, you will need to use a teller or ATM instead. Check your app or call customer service to find out your limit.
Why banks place holds on money orders
A hold is a delay in making deposited funds available. Banks place holds on money orders for three reasons: the amount is large, the issuer is unfamiliar, or the money order shows signs of alteration or damage.
Federal law allows banks to hold checks (including money orders) for up to seven business days, though most hold them for one to three. A money order from the U.S. Postal Service or Western Union will almost never trigger a hold. A money order from a small or regional issuer, or one that is damaged or has been altered, may be held for the full seven days while the bank verifies it with the issuer.
If a hold is placed, the bank must tell you in writing or verbally when the funds will be available. Ask the teller or check your account online to see if a hold has been applied. If the hold extends beyond seven business days, contact the bank and ask why.
What to do if the bank rejects the money order
A bank may reject a money order if it is damaged, altered, expired, or issued by a company the bank does not recognize. If this happens, the bank will return the money order to you, usually within five to ten business days. You will receive a notice explaining the reason for rejection.
If the money order is damaged or altered, contact the issuer (the company that sold you the money order) and ask for a replacement. Most issuers will replace a damaged money order at no charge if you provide proof of purchase. If the money order is expired, it may still be valid — money order expiration dates vary by issuer, and some money orders do not expire for years. Call the issuer to ask whether yours can still be cashed.
If the bank rejects the money order because the issuer is unfamiliar, try depositing it at a different bank or cashing it at the issuer's location (for example, at a Western Union agent or post office). Some banks are more conservative about unfamiliar issuers than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to go to my own bank to deposit a money order?
Yes, you must deposit the money order into an account at the bank where you hold the account. You cannot deposit it at a different bank. However, you can cash a money order at most banks, check-cashing services, and the issuer's location (such as a post office or Western Union agent) without having an account there.
How long does it take for a money order to show up in my account?
Most money orders post within one business day if deposited before your bank's cutoff time. If you deposit after cutoff or on a weekend, add one business day. Large amounts or unfamiliar issuers may add three to five more days. Ask the teller for the exact date when you deposit.
What if I lose the money order before I deposit it?
Contact the issuer immediately with your receipt or proof of purchase. Most issuers will cancel the original money order and issue a replacement at no charge. You will need to provide the money order number, amount, and date of purchase. This process usually takes one to two weeks.
Can I deposit a money order made out to someone else?
No. The money order must be made out to you or to you and another person. If it is made out to someone else, that person must endorse it to you, and then you can deposit it into your account. This requires the original owner's signature on the back, plus your signature below it. Some banks may refuse this type of deposit.
Will the bank charge me a fee to deposit a money order?
No. Banks do not charge fees for depositing money orders. However, if you are not a customer of the bank, you may be charged a fee to cash the money order rather than deposit it. Check with your bank about its policy on non-customer transactions.