Yes, most banks offer money orders, but not all branches carry them and some charge fees

You can get a money order from your bank if it offers them — and most do. However, availability varies by bank and by branch. Some banks print money orders on-site during business hours. Others order them from a supplier and have them ready within a day or two. A few banks have stopped offering them altogether because fewer people use them now.

The process is straightforward: you go to the teller, tell them you want a money order, provide the amount and the recipient's name, and pay the teller. The bank prints or fills in the money order and you walk out with it. The whole thing takes five to ten minutes if the bank has them in stock.

Cost varies. Some banks include money orders free for account holders. Others charge between 50 cents and $5 per money order, depending on the amount and the bank's pricing. A few banks charge the same fee regardless of amount — so a $10 money order costs the same as a $500 one. Call your branch before you go, because the fee structure differs even between branches of the same bank.

Key Takeaways

  • Call your bank branch first to confirm they have money orders in stock and what the fee is, because availability and pricing vary by location.
  • You will need to provide the recipient's name, the amount, and payment to the teller — the bank fills in the rest.
  • If your bank does not offer money orders or charges a high fee, credit unions, grocery stores, and post offices are common alternatives.
  • Money orders issued by banks are safer than cash for sending money through the mail because they can be replaced if lost or stolen.

What information you need to bring

You need three things: the exact amount you want the money order for, the name of the person or business receiving it (the payee), and payment. You do not need to bring identification at most banks if you have an account there, though some branches may ask for it.

Write down the payee's name exactly as they want it to appear. If you are sending it to "John Smith" but his legal name is "John Michael Smith," ask him which version to use. The money order will be made out to that exact name, and the recipient may have trouble cashing it if the name does not match their ID.

You do not fill in the payee's address on the money order itself — that is optional information. However, if you are mailing it, write the address on the envelope, not on the money order.

How long it takes and when to expect it

If your bank has money orders in stock, you get it the same day. Most banks keep them on hand during business hours. You walk in, request one, and leave with it in your hand within minutes.

If your bank orders money orders from a supplier (less common now), it may take one to two business days. Call ahead to ask. If you need one urgently and your bank cannot provide it same-day, a grocery store, post office, or credit union often can.

Once you have the money order, the recipient can cash it at their bank, a check-cashing service, or sometimes at a grocery store. There is no waiting period on their end — they can cash it when ready once they receive it.

Fees and when they explore

Bank money order fees range from free to $5, depending on the bank and the amount. Some banks charge a flat fee per money order. Others charge a percentage of the amount — for example, 1% of the total, which means a $500 money order costs $5. A few banks offer them free to checking account holders but charge non-account holders a fee.

Ask your bank specifically: "What is the fee for a money order?" rather than "Do you charge for money orders?" The first question gets you a number. The second often gets a vague answer.

Some banks also charge a fee if you need to cancel or replace a money order. If you lose one or send it to the wrong person, the bank may charge $10 to $25 to issue a replacement. Ask about this when you purchase the money order if you think there is any chance you might need to cancel it.

Alternatives if your bank does not offer them

If your bank does not have money orders or the fee is too high, you have other options. Post offices sell money orders for a flat fee (usually under $2) and are open on Saturdays at many locations. Credit unions often offer them to members at low cost. Grocery stores like Walmart and Kroger sell them at customer service desks, usually for $1 to $3.

Check-cashing services also sell money orders, though their fees tend to be higher than banks or post offices. Compare the fee at each place before you decide — a $1 difference matters less on a $50 money order but adds up if you are sending a large amount.

If you are sending money to someone and want to avoid a fee altogether, consider a bank transfer or peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo or PayPal instead. Those are free or very cheap and arrive when ready. Money orders are most useful when the recipient does not have a bank account or when you need a paper record of payment.

Why use a bank money order instead of cash or a check

A money order is safer than cash because it can be replaced if it is lost or stolen in the mail. If you send $200 in cash and it disappears, that money is gone. If you send a $200 money order and it disappears, you can contact the bank and request a replacement (usually for a fee).

A money order is also safer than a personal check if you are sending it to someone you do not know well. The recipient cannot use a money order to access your bank account the way they theoretically could with a check number. A money order is a one-way payment — once it is cashed, the transaction is done.

Money orders are useful when the recipient does not have a bank account and cannot receive a direct transfer. They are also useful when you want a paper record that the payment was made and received. The bank keeps a record of the money order number, amount, and payee, so you have proof of payment if a dispute arises later.

How to fill out a money order from your bank

At most banks, the teller fills out the money order for you. You tell them the amount and the payee's name, and they print or write it in. You do not have to do anything except sign it.

However, some banks hand you a blank money order and expect you to fill it in yourself. If that happens, write clearly in pen. Fill in the payee's name on the line that says "Pay to the order of." Write the amount in numbers in the box (for example, $150.00). Write the amount in words on the line below (for example, "One hundred fifty dollars"). Sign your name on the signature line. Leave the "From" or "Purchaser" line blank unless the bank asks you to fill it in.

Do not make mistakes. If you write the wrong amount or the wrong name, you cannot erase it. Ask the teller for a new blank if you make an error, or ask them to fill it out for you instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lose the money order before I send it?

Contact your bank when ready with the money order number. The bank can cancel it and issue a replacement, though there is usually a fee ($10 to $25). This is why it is important to write down the money order number as soon as you receive it. If someone else cashes it before you report it lost, you may not be able to recover the money.

Can I get a money order without a bank account?

Yes. You do not need a bank account to buy a money order at a post office, grocery store, or check-cashing service. You do need one at some banks, but not all. Call your bank to ask. If they require an account, go to the post office or a grocery store instead.

How much can a money order be for?

Most banks limit money orders to $1,000 per order, though some allow up to $5,000. If you need to send more than that, you can buy multiple money orders. Ask your bank what their limit is before you go in.

Can the recipient cash a money order at any bank?

No. The recipient can cash it at their own bank, a check-cashing service, or sometimes at a grocery store, but not at every bank. They should take it to their bank first. If they do not have a bank account, a check-cashing service will cash it for a fee.

Is a money order the same as a cashier's check?

No. A cashier's check is drawn on the bank's account and is larger (usually $1,000 or more). A money order is smaller and is sold to individuals. Cashier's checks are used for large purchases like down payments on a house. Money orders are used for smaller payments. Both are safer than personal checks.