You can get certified funds at four kinds of places: a bank or credit union (for cashier’s checks, certified checks, and wire transfers), a United States Post Office (for money orders up to $1,000), retail stores and grocery chains that sell money orders through Western Union or MoneyGram, and, for some banks, an online or mobile order that ships the check to you. Which one is right depends on the dollar amount, how quickly you need the instrument, and whether you have an account at the issuing institution.
Banks and Credit Unions
Your own bank or credit union is the most straightforward place to get a cashier’s check, a certified check, or a wire transfer. Walk into a branch, fill out a request form at the teller window with the payee’s name and the amount, and the teller verifies your ID, confirms you have enough cleared funds, and either debits your account or places an immediate hold. The whole visit usually takes a few minutes.
For a cashier’s check, the bank moves the money out of your account and into its own general ledger, then prints a check drawn on the bank’s funds. For a certified check, the teller stamps your personal check with an official mark confirming the funds are reserved. Not every bank still offers certified checks; many have moved to cashier’s checks only, so call ahead if that’s what you need.
Most banks limit these services to existing account holders to comply with federal anti-money laundering and customer identification rules.1FFIEC BSA/AML Manual. Assessing Compliance with BSA Regulatory Requirements – Purchase and Sale of Certain Monetary Instruments Recordkeeping Some will issue a cashier’s check to a non-customer, but expect stricter ID requirements and higher fees. Credit unions are sometimes more flexible and may issue cashier’s checks to members of other credit unions.
Wire transfers work differently. Instead of receiving a paper instrument, you provide the recipient’s bank name, routing number, and account number, and your bank sends the money electronically. Domestic wires typically complete the same business day, which is why they’re the standard for real estate closings and other high-value transactions.
Post Offices
Any USPS location sells domestic money orders for up to $1,000 each.2USPS. Money Orders – The Basics As of 2026, fees are $2.55 for money orders up to $500 and $3.60 for amounts between $500.01 and $1,000.3USPS. Notice 123 – Price List You can buy several in a single visit, so a $2,500 obligation might mean three money orders instead of one instrument.
There is no daily purchase cap, but if your total buys in a day reach $3,000 or more, the post office will require you to fill out a Funds Transaction Report and show ID. You don’t need an account anywhere to buy a postal money order, which makes the post office useful if you don’t have a bank relationship or if your bank charges more for a small cashier’s check than you’d like to pay.
Retail Stores and Grocery Chains
Many grocery stores, convenience stores, and retailers like Walmart sell money orders through third-party providers such as Western Union or MoneyGram. These locations often keep longer hours than banks or post offices, which helps when you need a money order in the evening or on a Sunday. Fees typically run a few dollars per money order, though limits and pricing vary by store and by provider.
Retail money orders serve the same purpose as postal ones: a prepaid instrument backed by the issuer once you hand over the money. If the recipient has specified a particular type of certified funds, though, check before buying — some payees will accept only a cashier’s check or a postal money order.
Ordering a Cashier’s Check Online
Some banks and credit unions let you order a cashier’s check through online banking or a mobile app. The check is then mailed to you or sent to a branch for pickup. Delivery by mail generally takes five to seven business days, with overnight shipping available for an extra charge.
Online orders may carry lower maximums for mailed checks, sometimes around $2,500, with higher amounts available only through branch pickup. If you need a cashier’s check for a time-sensitive closing, factor in the delivery window and consider picking it up at a branch instead.
What to Bring
Whichever instrument and location you choose, come prepared with three things:
- A government-issued photo ID — driver’s license, passport, or state ID card. The institution must verify your identity before issuing the instrument.1FFIEC BSA/AML Manual. Assessing Compliance with BSA Regulatory Requirements – Purchase and Sale of Certain Monetary Instruments Recordkeeping
- The full legal name of the payee. Once the instrument is printed, changing the payee typically means canceling the original and paying a new fee.
- The exact dollar amount. For a cashier’s or certified check, the money must already be sitting in your account as cleared funds; banks will not issue a guarantee against a pending deposit. For a money order, you pay with cash or a debit card at the counter.
If you don’t have an account at the bank, expect more paperwork. Federal rules require banks selling monetary instruments to non-account holders for $3,000 or more in cash to record your name, address, Social Security or alien identification number, date of birth, and the specific identifying information from your ID.1FFIEC BSA/AML Manual. Assessing Compliance with BSA Regulatory Requirements – Purchase and Sale of Certain Monetary Instruments Recordkeeping Some banks apply similar documentation to non-customers below that threshold as a matter of internal policy.
Ask for the receipt with the tracking number and keep it. If the instrument is ever lost or stolen, that receipt is what starts the recovery process at the issuing bank.
What It Costs
Fees depend on the instrument and where you get it. Cashier’s checks at major banks generally run around $10 for standard account holders, though some institutions waive the fee for premium checking or savings customers. Credit unions often charge less and may offer free cashier’s checks as a membership perk.
Postal money orders are the cheapest paper option, at $2.55 up to $500 and $3.60 for $500.01 to $1,000.3USPS. Notice 123 – Price List Retail money orders from grocery stores and convenience chains typically cost between $1 and $5. Wire transfers are usually the most expensive, often $25 to $35 for domestic transfers, though some online banks offer free or reduced-cost wires.
A rough way to choose: for amounts under $1,000 where the recipient accepts money orders, the post office or a nearby retailer is cheapest. For amounts above $1,000 or when the payee specifies a cashier’s check, use your bank or credit union. For same-day delivery of a large sum to a distant recipient, a wire transfer is worth the higher fee.
A Note on the Check You Receive
If you’re getting certified funds to hand to someone else, the steps above are the whole story. If you’re on the other end and someone is paying you with a cashier’s check, verify it before you release goods or send anything back. Call the issuing bank at a number you look up on its official website, not the number printed on the check, and give them the check number, issuance date, and amount.4FDIC.gov. Beware of Fake Checks Counterfeit cashier’s checks can appear to clear in your account and then bounce days later, and you are responsible when they do. For real estate wires, confirm the recipient’s wiring instructions by phone through a number you obtained independently, since email-based wire fraud has become common in closings.5Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Mortgage Closing Scams: How to Protect Yourself and Your Closing Funds