Sending Money Orders - USPS

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Sample postal money orders 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.

Check Money Order Status

Sample postal money orders

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 Standards and Guidelines (DMM 509.3)

Money Order Fees

Fees are based on the money order dollar amount.

Dollar Amount Fee

$0.01 to $500.00

$2.55

$500.01 to $1,000.00

$3.60

Postal Military Money Orders (issued by military facilities)

$0.84

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. Here are the key things to look for on each one when you examine the paper:

Red, Blue, & Red Postal Money Order (July 2025)

Sample blue, red, and blue postal money order. Magnifying glass indicating the ability to zoom in.

Design Features & Watermarks

This version has a red, blue, and red color pattern with:

  • Subtle design features of an eagle head and an American flag
  • A QR Code®1 in the center—scan this with your smartphone to go to the Check Money Order Status tool.

See More Security Features

Red & Blue Postal Money Order (February 2025)

Sample red and blue postal money order Magnifying glass indicating the ability to zoom in.

Design Features & Watermarks

This version has a red and blue color pattern with:

  • Subtle design features of an eagle head and an American flag
  • A QR Code®1 in the center—scan this with your smartphone to go to the Check Money Order Status tool.

See More Security Features

Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Point-of-Sale Version)

Green postal money order Magnifying glass indicating the ability to zoom in.

Design Features & Watermarks

This version has:

  • Green and purple color pattern
  • A U.S. Mail 1970 eagle logo in the center

See More Security Features

Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Paymaster Version)

Green postal money order with circled designs showing how to spot a fake Magnifying glass indicating the ability to zoom in.

Design Features & Watermarks

This version has:

  • Green and purple color pattern
  • A U.S. Mail 1970 eagle logo in the center

See More Security Features

Suspect a Fake?

  • Check the dollar amount:
    • Domestic money orders can’t 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’ve 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.

Helpful Links

  • Money Orders - The Basics FAQ
  • USPIS - How to Spot a Fake PDF

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.

See additional requirements for money orders made out to organizations, more than one person, and minors.

Cashing Money Orders (DMM 509.3.3)

Check the Status of a Money Order

You can check the status of a money order you've purchased from the U.S. Postal Service at any time by visiting the Money Orders Application.Make sure you have the following information for the postal money order you want to check:

  • Serial number
  • Post Office number
  • 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 $21.00 processing fee to replace a lost or stolen money order.

Requesting a Refund

  1. Take your money order receipt to any Post Office location.
  2. Talk to a retail associate at the counter to start a Money Order Inquiry.
  3. 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.
  4. When your money order is confirmed lost or stolen, we’ll issue you a replacement money order.

Damaged Money Orders

We'll 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.

Need More Help?

View FAQs

1. QR Code® is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated. Back ^

Red, Blue, & Red Postal Money Order (July 2025)

× Sample blue, red, and blue postal money order with circles emphasizing the details that reveal its authenticity

If you look closely and hold the money order up to the light, you should see:

  • Circle 1: A watermark image of a Pony Express® rider down the left side.
  • Circle 2: A watermark with the words "United States Postal Service" in a rectangular box down the right side.
  • Circle 3: An embedded security thread that runs from the top to the bottom of the money order, just to the right of the Pony Express rider watermark. When held to the light, the thread reveals the letters "USPS" alternating right side up and upside down throughout the thread.
  • Circle 4: QR Code linking to the Check Money Order Status tool.

Red, Blue, & Red Postal Money Order (February 2025)

× Sample blue, red, and blue postal money order with circles emphasizing the details that reveal its authenticity

If you look closely and hold the money order up to the light, you should see:

  • Circle 1: A watermark image of a Pony Express® rider down the left side.
  • Circle 2: A watermark with the words "United States Postal Service" in a rectangular box down the right side.
  • Circle 3: An embedded security thread that runs from the top to the bottom of the money order, just to the right of the Pony Express rider watermark. When held to the light, the thread reveals the letters "USPS" alternating right side up and upside down throughout the thread.
  • Circle 4: QR Code linking to the Check Money Order Status tool.

Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Point-of-Sale Version)

× Green postal money order circles emphasizing the details that reveal its authenticity

If you look closely and hold the money order up to the light, you should see:

  • Circle 5: A U.S. Mail eagle 1970 logo in the center.
  • Circle 6: Watermarks of Ben Franklin on the left side repeat top to bottom.
  • Circle 7: On the right of the Franklin watermark, a vertical, multicolored security thread with the letters "USPS" weaves in and out of the paper.

Green & Purple Postal Money Order (Paymaster Version)

× Green postal money order circles emphasizing the details that reveal its authenticity

If you look closely and hold the money order up to the light, you should see:

  • Circle 5: A U.S. Mail eagle 1970 logo in the center.
  • Circle 6: Watermarks of Ben Franklin on the left side repeat top to bottom.
  • Circle 7: On the right of the Franklin watermark, a vertical, multicolored security thread with the letters "USPS" weaves in and out of the paper.

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