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 1. Decide on the money order amount. You can send up to $1,000 in a single order anywhere in the United States. 2. Go to any Post Office location. 3. Take cash or a debit card. You cannot pay with a credit card. 4. Fill out the money order at the counter with a retail associate. 5. Pay the dollar value of the money order plus the issuing fee. 6. 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: $2.65 - $500.01 to $1,000.00: $3.75 - Postal Military Money Orders (issued by military facilities): $0.85 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) features 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. Red & Blue Postal Money Order (February 2025) 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. Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Point-of-Sale Version) has a green and purple color pattern with a U.S. Mail 1970 eagle logo in the center. Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Paymaster Version) has a green and purple color pattern with a U.S. Mail 1970 eagle logo in the center. Suspect 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 the dollar amounts may show the amounts were changed. If you can easily see watermarks without holding them up to the light, it may mean fraud. If you think you have been given a fake money order, verify the money order online by scanning the QR code, visiting tools.usps.com/money-orders.htm, or calling the Money Order Verification System at 1-866-459-7822. If you suspect fraud, contact the 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 they do not accrue interest. Money orders are cashed for the exact amount on the order. You can cash a USPS money order at a Post Office for free. You can also cash them at most banks and some stores. Rural carriers may cash money orders if they have enough money on hand. Cashing a Money Order at the Post Office: 1. Do not sign the money order. 2. Take a primary photo ID with the money order to any Post Office location. 3. Sign the money order at the counter in front of a retail associate. Check the Status of a Money Order You can check the status of a money order you have purchased from the U.S. Postal Service at any time by visiting the Money Orders Application. Make sure you have the following information: Serial number, Post Office number, and Dollar amount. Replacing Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Money Orders Lost or Stolen Money Orders: You cannot stop payment on postal money orders, but a lost or stolen money order can be replaced. Money order loss or theft may take up to 30 days to confirm. Investigating a money order's lost or stolen status may take up to 60 days. There is a $23.00 processing fee to replace a lost or stolen money order. Requesting a Refund: Take your money order receipt to any Post Office location. Talk to a retail associate at the counter to start a Money Order Inquiry. After starting the inquiry, you will be able to check the status of your money order and inquiry progress by visiting the Money Orders Application. When your money order is confirmed lost or stolen, the USPS will issue a replacement money order. Damaged Money Orders: The USPS will replace money orders that are defective or damaged. Take the damaged money order and your receipt to your local Post Office location to get a replacement.