Yes, you can cash a money order you bought yourself. If the “Pay To” line is still blank, write your own name on it and cash it like any other payee at a post office, bank, credit union, or retailer. If you already filled in someone else’s name, you cannot cross it out; you have to request a refund or cancellation from the company that issued the money order.
If the Payee Line Is Still Blank
This is the easy case. Write your own name on the “Pay To” line. That makes you the legal payee, and you can then cash the money order through any of the usual channels.1USPS. Money Orders – The Basics No extra forms, no extra fees.
The legal basis is straightforward. Under Uniform Commercial Code ยง 3-110, the person named on the “Pay To” line holds the right to present the instrument and collect the funds.2Cornell Law Institute. Uniform Commercial Code 3-110 – Identification of Person to Whom Instrument Is Payable Because you paid for the money order upfront, the full face value is already guaranteed. Naming yourself simply completes the instrument in your favor.
If You Already Wrote Someone Else’s Name
Do not cross out or write over the payee’s name. Any visible alteration will cause the money order to be rejected. To get your money back you have to go through the issuer.
USPS Postal Money Orders
Bring your receipt to any post office and speak with a retail associate. If USPS is replacing the money order rather than refunding it, there is no fee for the inquiry form or the new money order.1USPS. Money Orders – The Basics
Western Union
Western Union charges a tiered processing fee: nothing for money orders worth $5 or less, $5 for amounts between $5 and $100, and $15 for money orders of $100 or more.3Western Union. Money Order Request Form With the original receipt or the physical money order, you can file the refund request through Western Union’s online form. Without proof of purchase you need a separate research request, which carries its own $15 non-refundable administrative fee and requires mailing in supporting documents.4Western Union Financial Services, Inc. Money Order Research Request
MoneyGram
MoneyGram also processes refunds, though its fees vary by face value. You start the request through MoneyGram’s website, which will show you the exact fee for your amount.5MoneyGram. Money Order Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Cash It Once Your Name Is on It
Your best option depends on the type of money order and whether you have a bank account. Fees range from nothing to a few dollars.
Post Offices
Post offices cash their own postal money orders for free.6USPS. Sending Money Orders One practical note: window clerks start the day with limited cash on hand, so for a large money order, visiting later in the day improves your chances of the location having enough cash to pay you on the spot.1USPS. Money Orders – The Basics
Banks and Credit Unions
If you have a checking or savings account, your bank or credit union will typically cash or deposit a money order at no charge. Even without an account, many banks will cash one for a small fee, though policies vary.
Walmart and Other Retailers
Walmart cashes MoneyGram money orders at its Customer Service Desk. Its standard check-cashing fee caps at $4 for items up to $1,000 and $8 for items over $1,000.7Walmart.com. Check Cashing Grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores that sell money orders often cash them too, with fees generally in the $3 to $8 range.
Check-Cashing Stores
Dedicated check-cashing businesses will cash money orders without requiring a bank account, but their fees tend to be higher and are often a percentage of the face value rather than a flat dollar amount. Fee caps vary by state.
What to Bring and How to Sign
Wherever you go, you need valid identification and a proper endorsement.
For ID, bring a current, unexpired, government-issued photo ID. The most widely accepted forms are a state-issued driver’s license, a U.S. passport, or a military ID card. The name on your ID must match the name on the “Pay To” line.
For the endorsement, sign your name in the endorsement area on the back before the clerk hands you the money. Federal regulations for postal money orders require the payee’s endorsement to follow standard commercial practices for negotiable instruments.8eCFR. 39 CFR 762.29 – Endorsement of Disbursement Postal Money Orders by Payees As a security precaution, wait to sign until you’re at the counter. If you sign in advance and lose the money order, anyone who finds it could potentially cash it.
Keep the money order in good physical condition. Tears, stains, or marks that look like an attempted alteration can lead to rejection.
Depositing Instead of Cashing
If you don’t need physical cash immediately, depositing the money order into your bank account is usually the cheapest route. Banks and credit unions generally accept money order deposits at no cost, just like a regular check. Endorse the back the same way you would for cashing, and the funds should be available within a few business days. Some banks also allow mobile deposit of money orders through their app, though policies vary, so check with your bank first.
If You’ve Been Holding the Money Order a While
Money orders don’t technically expire, but waiting too long can cost you. Western Union may begin deducting a non-refundable service charge from the face value if a money order goes uncashed for one to three years after purchase, depending on the state where it was bought.9Western Union. Money Orders – Purchase and Cash at a Western Union Near You MoneyGram follows a similar practice: money orders left uncashed for more than one year may be subject to a monthly service charge that gradually reduces the balance, with the exact amount printed on the back of the money order itself.10MoneyGram. Frequently Asked Questions About Purchasing a Money Order
If yours has been sitting for a while, check the back for any service-charge language and contact the issuer to verify the remaining value before you try to cash it.
Dollar Limits at Purchase
Worth knowing if you bought a large amount or plan to buy more: individual domestic postal money orders max out at $1,000.6USPS. Sending Money Orders You can buy more than one in a single visit, but if your total purchases in a single day reach $3,000 or more across any number of post office visits, you’ll be asked to complete a Funds Transaction Report (PS Form 8105-A) and show valid ID.1USPS. Money Orders – The Basics This affects purchase, not cashing.