Sometimes you need to find a money order near you because you want a secure form of payment that can be tracked. Perhaps you need it to pay a security deposit, rent, or other important bills.
Or maybe you don’t want to (or can’t) pay by cash or check. In those circumstances, a money order comes in handy.
But which are the best places to get a money order? In this post, we’ll give you the rundown of the 9 best places to find a money order near you.
What is a money order?
Money orders are a widely accepted form of payment that doesn’t expire. They’re written out for a specific amount you desire and must be prepaid. Though money orders share similarities with personal checks, there are some notable differences.
Note:
Unlike a personal check, which is typically valid for 6 months after the date written on it, a money order doesn’t have an expiration date.
While a personal check may bounce for lack of funds, money orders are more secure since they’re always prepaid. And they’re only cashable by the person or business that you designate as payee.
Businesses that provide money order services must be licensed and registered and have the required systems in place. That’s part of the reason why many locations offering money orders choose the services of third-party vendors like MoneyGram or Western Union.
Why should you get a money order?
Whether you use it to pay rent, bills, or send money, a money order gives you proof of payment that you can track with your receipt. This and other qualities make it a preferred payment method in certain situations, as mentioned below.
- Safe alternative to sending cash. With a money order you designate a recipient of the funds. This makes it a safe alternative to cash if you need to mail a payment.
- Guaranteed funds. The person or company receiving a money order doesn’t have to worry about it bouncing. The money is guaranteed. That’s why you’ll often find businesses that don’t accept personal checks for certain payments.
- No bank account needed. If you haven’t opened a checking account, you can easily find a store or a post office in your area to find a money order near you.
- Sensitive information stays private. The face of a check carries sensitive personal information like your address and banking routing numbers. Sometimes you may not want to share that information with the party you’re paying.
9 Best places to find a money order near me
1. The Post Office (USPS)
With its multiple locations, the United States Postal Service is a convenient place to purchase a money order near you. USPS money orders are available in amounts of up to $1,000 in a single order.
If you need a larger amount, you can purchase multiple money orders the same day, for a total of up to $3,000. If you exceed that amount, you’ll be required to complete special forms and show a valid ID.
The Post Office currently charges a fee of $1.25 per money order for amounts of up to $500 and a fee of $1.75 for amounts over $500.
If you need an international money order, call 1-800-ASK-USPS to find the nearest location.
Summary info:
- Vendor: USPS
- Fee: $1.25 to $1.75
- Amount: Up to $1,000 each
2. Walmart
You can purchase money orders from any Walmart Supercenter or Neighborhood Market location throughout the US. Simply head out to their customer service desk or their Money Services Center.
Walmart currently charges a maximum fee of $0.88 per money order, although the exact fee varies by location. You can buy money orders at Walmart for up to $1,000 each.
If you need a larger amount, you can purchase up to 10 money orders in a day. However, the total amount cannot exceed $9,999. Policies may vary for different stores, so call ahead,
If you need to cash a money order, Walmart will cash MoneyGram money orders and charge you a check-cashing fee.
Summary info:
- Vendor: MoneyGram
- Fee: $0.88 maximum
- Amount: Up to $1,000 each
3. 7-Eleven
7-Eleven convenience stores are another place where you can purchase money orders. With more than 9,500 locations in the US alone, you’re bound to find one near you.
Each money order at 7-Eleven carries a fee of 1% to 3% and a minimum fee of $0.65. And 7-Eleven is one of the few places where you can pay for your money order using a credit card.
One service 7-Eleven doesn’t offer yet is cashing money orders.
Summary info:
- Vendor: MoneyGram / Western Union
- Fee: 1% to 3%.
- Amount: Up to $500 each
- Accepts credit cards: Yes
4. CVS Pharmacies
It might be unexpected to learn that CVS is another place where you can purchase money orders. But you can. They’re the largest pharmacy chain in the US, and have more than 9,900 nationwide store locations.
CVS currently charges a fee of $1.99 per money order, and you can purchase them in amounts of up to $500 each.
If you need a larger amount, you can purchase up to 2 money orders at CVS for a maximum of $1,000 in a day. Store policies may vary for different stores and locations, so it’s a good idea to call ahead,
CVS Pharmacies do not cash money orders.
Summary info:
- Vendor: MoneyGram
- Fee: $1.99
- Amount: Up to $500 each
5. Rite Aid
Rite Aid is another pharmacy chain that offers money orders. They charge a fee of $0.99 per money order, and you can purchase them in amounts of up to $500 each.
If you need a larger amount, you can purchase several money orders not to exceed $3,000 in a single day.
Rite Aid currently doesn’t cash money orders.
Summary info:
- Vendor: Western Union
- Fee: $0.99
- Amount: Up to $500 each
6. Kroger
You can buy a money order while shopping for groceries at Kroger. Their Kroger Money Services offer money orders through Western Union.
Kroger money order fees start at $0.84 (with their shopping card), but vary by store. You can purchase money orders at Kroger in amounts of up to $1,000 each, and have the option to buy additional ones, if you need a larger amount.
To purchase a money order at Kroger, you may require a government-issued ID.
Summary info:
- Vendor: Western Union
- Fee: $0.84 – $0.88 and up
- Amount: Up to $1,000 each
7. Publix
Publix is another food retail chain that sells money orders through Western Union. They’re not as large as Kroger, but have a strong regional presence in the Southeast and the Florida Panhandle.
Their money orders have a limit of $500 each and cost $0.99. Money order cashing is a service that Publix currently does not offer.
Summary info:
- Vendor: Western Union
- Fee: $0.99 and up
- Amount: Up to $500 each
8. Kmart
Yes, Kmart is still around. And as long as they are, you can take advantage of their retail locations to find a money order.
Their money orders have a limit of $500 each and will cost $0.70. But don’t bring your credit or debit card to purchase a money order at Kmart, because they only take cash.
Summary info:
- Vendor: Western Union
- Fee: $0.70
- Amount: Up to $500 each
9. Your local bank or credit union
Your neighborhood bank or credit union is an obvious first place to get a money order. But you’ll generally need to be an existing customer.
If you’re not a customer, some banks will sell you a money order, but it could run you a steeper fee.
Regardless, whether you’re a customer or not, banks will typically charge $5, $10 or a percent of the total amount on the money order and limit the amount issued to $1,000.
So if one of the other places mentioned above is near you, it’ll probably be cheaper for you to get a money order there than going to a bank.
Can I buy a money order with a credit card?
You can buy a money order with a credit card from Western Union or 7-Eleven. But before you visit one of their locations, it’s a good idea to give them a call to confirm.
If you use your credit card to pay for a money order, be aware that some card issuers may code the transaction as a cash advance. This can end up being expensive because you may incur a cash advance fee and pay higher interest rates.
Tip:
You may incur a cash advance fee if you use a credit card to pay for a money order.
You can also pay for a money order with a debit card, cash, and in some cases (in your bank, for example), with a check. If you use a debit card, places like the Post Office require you to enter your pin.
How do you spot a fake money order?
If you receive a money order and you don’t know or don’t trust the other party, you should make sure it’s legit.
Here are some tips to help you spot fake money orders:
- The amount is too large. Individual money orders are for up to $1,000. Be suspicious if your money order has a larger face amount.
- The amount is blurred. Discolored dollar amounts are a telltale sign of fraud and tampering and should make you suspicious.
- No watermark. Hold your money order up to a light source. USPS, Western Union and MoneyGram money orders are printed on watermarked paper. If you don’t see a watermark, it might be fake.
If you suspect that your money order is fake, call the company that issued the money order and don’t attempt to cash it or deposit it.
What if I lose a money order?
If you lose or misplace your money order, you can replace it by contacting the institution that issued it. Remember that the money order can only be cashed by the payee or beneficiary, so don’t overstress.
But don’t delay taking action either and do follow the procedures established by the issuer of the money order to request a replacement as soon as you can.
Unfortunately, in some cases, replacing your money order will cost you processing fees that can be steeper than the original purchase fee.
Alternatives to money orders
There are several alternatives to money orders which can come in handy, especially if you find yourself buying them frequently. Or maybe you’re just ready to try a new payment method.
No matter the reason, the following are effective alternatives to paying with a money order.
- Personal checks. If you have a checking account, you can pay with a personal check or set up online bill pay. If you don’t have a checking account, look for checking accounts that don’t charge a monthly fee. When the person or business you need to pay doesn’t accept checks, consider a cashier’s check or online transfers.
- Cashier checks. They’re more secure than personal checks, and unlike money orders, they’re not limited to $1,000 apiece. The funds are guaranteed by the bank, so they offer security to the payee. However, they do cost more than a money order and you’ll need to have an account with the issuing bank.
- Online transfer. Online money transfer and payment services like Transferwise and PayPal offer convenient and cheap payments. With Transferwise, you’ll need to have a bank account.
Bottom line
You’ve come to this post asking yourself: where can I find a money order near me? And hopefully we’ve answered your question.
Money orders are a simple and secure financial tool. They allow you to track your payment and can come in handy when you don’t have a bank account.