Go to any Post Office location. Take cash, a debit card, or a traveler’s check. You cannot pay with a credit card. Fill out the money order at the counter with a retail associate.

What is money order issued by?

A money order is a certificate, usually issued by a government or banking institution, that allows the stated payee to receive cash on demand. A money order functions much like a check, in that the person who purchased the money order may stop payment.

Do banks process money orders?

Check-cashing locations, convenience stores and grocery stores can be alternatives, but watch out for fees. Banks accept U.S. Postal Service money orders as they would regular checks at branches, ATMs or even on a banking app with a mobile check deposit function.

Can a money order be made out to cash?

A money order is similar to a check, in that only the person or organization it is made out to should be able to cash it, whether at a U.S. Post Office, check-cashing location or bank. Unlike a check, a money order is prepaid rather than linked to funds in a particular bank account.

How does a money order work in a bank?

A money order is a safe alternative to cash or a personal check; it works like a check so you can cash it or deposit it into a bank account.

How can I check the status of my 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:

Is there a fee to track a money order?

The bank may charge a fee to track or replace a money order. Check with your bank before purchasing a money order. Some banks do not offer tracking services. If yours does not, you may want to purchase your money order at a different bank, a financial services outlet or the U.S. Post Office.

Where can I deposit a US Postal Service money order?

If you don’t need the money right away and you have a bank account, consider depositing it. Banks accept U.S. Postal Service money orders as they would regular checks at branches, ATMs or even on a banking app with a mobile check deposit function. Don’t forget to sign the back of the money order before depositing.