Money orders generally do not expire, but that doesn’t mean they hold their value forever. USPS domestic money orders remain good indefinitely and never lose a cent to fees. Western Union and MoneyGram money orders also have no formal expiration date, yet both issuers start deducting monthly service charges from the face value once a dormancy period passes. International postal money orders are the one clear exception: they expire one year after issuance.
USPS Domestic Money Orders Never Expire
A domestic postal money order can be cashed at any Post Office no matter how old it is. The USPS states plainly that its domestic money orders “never expire” and do not accrue interest.1USPS. Money Orders This applies to the older green money orders and the redesigned red-and-blue versions introduced in February 2025.2USPS. Money Orders – The Basics USPS also does not deduct any service charges or dormancy fees, so the full face value remains available years later.
If you find an old postal money order in a drawer, you can walk it into a Post Office and cash it for its full amount, assuming it hasn’t already been cashed and hasn’t been turned over to the state as unclaimed property.
International Postal Money Orders Expire After One Year
International postal money orders are valid for only one year from the date of issuance, and the expiration date is printed on the face of the document. These international orders are also capped at $400.3TFX: Treasury Financial Experience. Chapter 7000 Procedures for Processing Postal Money Orders If yours has already expired, you can’t simply cash it at a Post Office window; you would need to contact USPS about a possible reissuance.
Western Union and MoneyGram Charge Dormancy Fees
Both Western Union and MoneyGram say their money orders do not technically expire. In practice, though, both issuers start deducting a monthly service charge from the face value after the money order sits uncashed for a set period. Western Union’s dormancy trigger ranges from one to three years depending on the state where the money order was purchased.4Western Union. Western Union Money Order MoneyGram begins imposing a monthly service charge on money orders that remain uncashed for more than one year.5MoneyGram. Frequently Asked Questions About Purchasing a Money Order
These fees come straight out of the principal. A $500 money order can eventually shrink to zero if left uncashed long enough. The specific monthly fee and the date it starts are typically printed on the back of the money order in the service-charge section. Because the dormancy trigger depends on state law, two money orders purchased from the same company on the same day but in different states can begin accruing fees at different times.
Check Whether the Money Order Was Already Cashed
Before requesting a refund or replacement, confirm the money order hasn’t already been paid out. USPS offers a free online tool that lets you look up the status of any postal money order using the serial number, the Post Office number, and the dollar amount. You can also call the USPS Accounting Help Desk at 1-866-974-2733, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM ET.6USPS. Money Orders FAQs – Check Money Order Status
For Western Union or MoneyGram money orders, contact those companies directly. Western Union has an online refund request form, and MoneyGram has an online replacement request process. Both require the serial number from your purchase receipt.
Refunds and Replacements
USPS
To request a refund for an uncashed USPS money order, take the original purchase receipt to any Post Office and ask a retail associate to start a money order inquiry using PS Form 6401.1USPS. Money Orders You’ll complete every field on the form and pay a separate processing fee for each inquiry.7USPS. PS Form 6401 – Money Order Inquiry The Post Office forwards the form to the USPS Accounting Center in St. Louis.
If the investigation confirms the money order was never cashed, USPS will issue a refund. If it was cashed, they’ll send you a copy of the cashed instrument instead. Refunds are issued 60 days or later from the original issue date of the money order.7USPS. PS Form 6401 – Money Order Inquiry Older money orders and complex cases can take longer.
Western Union
Western Union’s refund fee depends on the face value:
- $5 or less: no fee
- $5.01 to $99.99: $5 fee
- $100 or more: $15 fee
The fee is deducted from the money order amount if the refund is approved.8Western Union. Money Order Refund Request
MoneyGram
MoneyGram charges a non-refundable processing fee for replacement requests:
- Face value of $6 to $49.99: 50 percent of the face value
- Face value of $50 or more: $25 flat fee
MoneyGram won’t process a replacement for any money order under $6 in face value.9MoneyGram. Help for MoneyGram Money Orders
For every issuer, the original purchase receipt with the serial number is the single most important document you can have. Without it, the process becomes slower and harder. Some issuers can search their records if you provide the approximate purchase date and location, though that may cost extra.
When the Funds Have Been Turned Over to the State
If a money order goes uncashed long enough, the issuer is eventually required to turn the remaining funds over to a state government through a process called escheatment. Dormancy periods vary by state but typically fall between three and seven years for money orders. Once the issuer transfers the funds, the original money order can no longer be cashed at a retail location or Post Office.
The money isn’t gone. Every state maintains an unclaimed property division where rightful owners can file a claim. Search for unclaimed property in your name through your state treasury or comptroller’s website. The claim process usually requires proof of identity and documentation connecting you to the original purchase.