How to Get a Money Order
Decide on the amount of the money order., Go to your bank., Try local businesses., Try the post office., Consider purchasing a money order online., Try a money-oriented establishment., Check to be sure the amount is correct., Decide where to fill...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Decide on the amount of the money order.
Many establishments will ask you to pay for the money order in cash.
In some cases you will be able to pay with a credit or debit card. -
Step 2: Go to your bank.
If you have a bank account, the easiest way to obtain a money order is to go to the teller and ask for one.
Some banks may charge a small fee, but many offer money orders for free.
Some banks offer cashier's checks, which are similar to money orders.
Make sure the recipient will accept a cashier's check before buying one instead of a money order.
Banks offer the benefit of keeping a record of your money order purchase, which could come in handy in the event that the money order gets lost. , Drugstores, grocery stores, and places like Walmart offer money orders for a fee.
Visit a few different places and choose the one with the lowest fee.
Some establishments have a limit on the amount of the money order.
If there is a cap, simply purchase more than one money order until you have the total amount you need. , Money orders issued by the United States Postal Service are usually replaceable if they are lost, stolen or damaged.The following benefits also apply to money orders purchased from the USPS:
They can be purchased with debit cards.
They are cashable in 29 other countries., If you'd rather not purchase a money order in person, an online vendor might be a convenient choice.
However, online companies usually charge steeper fees than local establishments.
The leading online money order company is Payko, which caps daily money order purchases at just $200. , Western Union, credit unions, and other places that handle money usually issue money orders. , The establishment that issued your money order will have printed the amount on the money order slip.
Double check to make sure it's right before you end the transaction. , You may want to fill out the money order on the spot, rather than carrying it to another location.
If the money order lands in someone else's hands before it is filled out, that person could fill in their own name and cash it.
If you do carry the blank money order to another location, keep in in a safe place on your person.
When you get home, put it in a place where it won't get lost. , The first blank to fill in will say "Pay to the Order of" or "Payee." This is where you write the name of the person or company to whom you are giving the money order.
Use black or blue non-eraseable ink to fill out the money order. , Some money orders will have a space for you to fill in your name and address or other information.
If you wish to fill this out, do so in blue or black ink. , You may want to add details about the nature of the transaction, such as the name of the item you are paying for. , If there's a space for you to sign the money order, you may do so, although it can still be cashed without your signature. , Since money orders are often used to pay people you may not know well, it's good to keep a personal record of the money order in case a problem arises.
Make a copy of the money order and file it with your financial records.
Keep it with the receipt that came with your money order. , The best way to pay with a money order is to give it directly to the recipient.
This eliminates the chance that it will get lost or tampered with by a third party. , If you're mailing a money order, make sure it's in a security envelope, rather than a letter envelope.
Packaging it discreetly will prevent someone else from getting curious and attempting to tamper with the money order. -
Step 3: Try local businesses.
-
Step 4: Try the post office.
-
Step 5: Consider purchasing a money order online.
-
Step 6: Try a money-oriented establishment.
-
Step 7: Check to be sure the amount is correct.
-
Step 8: Decide where to fill out the money order.
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Step 9: Fill in the "payee" blank.
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Step 10: Fill in your personal information.
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Step 11: Fill in transaction information.
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Step 12: Sign the money order.
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Step 13: First make a copy.
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Step 14: Hand it over in person.
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Step 15: Mail it in a business envelope.
Detailed Guide
Many establishments will ask you to pay for the money order in cash.
In some cases you will be able to pay with a credit or debit card.
If you have a bank account, the easiest way to obtain a money order is to go to the teller and ask for one.
Some banks may charge a small fee, but many offer money orders for free.
Some banks offer cashier's checks, which are similar to money orders.
Make sure the recipient will accept a cashier's check before buying one instead of a money order.
Banks offer the benefit of keeping a record of your money order purchase, which could come in handy in the event that the money order gets lost. , Drugstores, grocery stores, and places like Walmart offer money orders for a fee.
Visit a few different places and choose the one with the lowest fee.
Some establishments have a limit on the amount of the money order.
If there is a cap, simply purchase more than one money order until you have the total amount you need. , Money orders issued by the United States Postal Service are usually replaceable if they are lost, stolen or damaged.The following benefits also apply to money orders purchased from the USPS:
They can be purchased with debit cards.
They are cashable in 29 other countries., If you'd rather not purchase a money order in person, an online vendor might be a convenient choice.
However, online companies usually charge steeper fees than local establishments.
The leading online money order company is Payko, which caps daily money order purchases at just $200. , Western Union, credit unions, and other places that handle money usually issue money orders. , The establishment that issued your money order will have printed the amount on the money order slip.
Double check to make sure it's right before you end the transaction. , You may want to fill out the money order on the spot, rather than carrying it to another location.
If the money order lands in someone else's hands before it is filled out, that person could fill in their own name and cash it.
If you do carry the blank money order to another location, keep in in a safe place on your person.
When you get home, put it in a place where it won't get lost. , The first blank to fill in will say "Pay to the Order of" or "Payee." This is where you write the name of the person or company to whom you are giving the money order.
Use black or blue non-eraseable ink to fill out the money order. , Some money orders will have a space for you to fill in your name and address or other information.
If you wish to fill this out, do so in blue or black ink. , You may want to add details about the nature of the transaction, such as the name of the item you are paying for. , If there's a space for you to sign the money order, you may do so, although it can still be cashed without your signature. , Since money orders are often used to pay people you may not know well, it's good to keep a personal record of the money order in case a problem arises.
Make a copy of the money order and file it with your financial records.
Keep it with the receipt that came with your money order. , The best way to pay with a money order is to give it directly to the recipient.
This eliminates the chance that it will get lost or tampered with by a third party. , If you're mailing a money order, make sure it's in a security envelope, rather than a letter envelope.
Packaging it discreetly will prevent someone else from getting curious and attempting to tamper with the money order.
About the Author
Zachary Webb
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in creative arts and beyond.
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