Money Orders | USPS

Money Orders | USPS Sending Money Orders When sending money by mail, use money orders as a safe alternative to cash and personal checks. U.S. Postal Service money orders are affordable, widely accepted, and never expire. Your money order receipt will help you track your payment and show proof of value in case the money order gets lost, stolen, or damaged. You can buy or cash postal money orders at any Post Office location. How to Send Domestic Money Orders Decide on the money order amount. You can send up to $1,000 in a single order anywhere in the United States. Go to any Post Office location. Take cash or a debit card. You cannot pay with a credit card. Fill out the money order at the counter with a retail associate. Pay the dollar value of the money order plus the issuing fee. Keep your receipt to track the money order. Money Order Fees Fees are based on the money order dollar amount: $0.01 to $500.00: $2.55 $500.01 to $1,000.00: $3.60 Postal Military Money Orders (issued by military facilities): $0.84 Receiving Postal Money Orders – How to Spot a Fake Before you accept a money order, make sure it's real. Real postal money orders have specific marks and designs to prevent fraud. There are 4 valid designs. Red, Blue, & Red Postal Money Order (July 2025) This version has a red, blue, and red color pattern with subtle design features of an eagle head and an American flag, and a QR Code in the center to check money order status. Security features include: Watermark image of a Pony Express rider down the left side, watermark with words "United States Postal Service" in rectangular box down the right side, embedded security thread running top to bottom revealing alternating "USPS" letters, and QR Code linking to Check Money Order Status tool. Red & Blue Postal Money Order (February 2025) This version has a red and blue color pattern with subtle design features of an eagle head and an American flag, and a QR Code in the center. Security features include similar watermarks and embedded security thread as above version. Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Point-of-Sale Version) This version has green and purple color pattern with U.S. Mail 1970 eagle logo in center. Security features include: U.S. Mail eagle 1970 logo in center, watermarks of Ben Franklin on left side repeating top to bottom, vertical multicolored security thread with letters "USPS" weaving in and out of paper. Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Paymaster Version) This version has green and purple color pattern with U.S. Mail 1970 eagle logo in center. Security features identical to Point-of-Sale Version. Spot a Fake Check the dollar amount: Domestic money orders cannot be more than $1,000. The words and numbers for the amount should match. Discoloration or paper fiber disturbance around dollar amounts may show amounts were changed. If you can easily see watermarks without holding to light, it may indicate fraud. If you suspect fraud, verify the money order online by scanning QR code, visiting tools.usps.com/money-orders.htm, or calling Money Order Verification System at 1-866-459-7822. If you suspect fraud, contact U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) at 1-877-876-2455 or www.uspis.gov/report. How to Cash Domestic Money Orders Domestic money orders never expire and do not accrue interest. Money orders are cashed for exact amount on order. You can cash USPS money order at Post Office for free, at most banks, some stores, or through rural carriers if they have sufficient funds. Cashing at Post Office: Do not sign the money order. Take primary photo ID with money order to any Post Office location. Sign money order at counter in front of retail associate. Check Money Order Status You can check status of money order purchased from USPS anytime by visiting Money Orders Application. Required information: Serial number, Post Office number, dollar amount. Replacing Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Money Orders Lost or Stolen: Cannot stop payment on postal money orders, but lost or stolen money order can be replaced. Money order loss or theft may take up to 30 days to confirm. Investigating status may take up to 60 days. Processing fee for replacement: $21.00. Requesting Refund: Take money order receipt to any Post Office location. Talk to retail associate to start Money Order Inquiry. After starting inquiry, check status via Money Orders Application. When confirmed lost or stolen, replacement money order will be issued. Damaged Money Orders: USPS will replace defective or damaged money orders. Take damaged money order and receipt to local Post Office for replacement.