Where to purchase certified money orders

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If you are a purchaser and you have a money order receipt, submit refund request here. Click here for other submission options. In some circumstances, the bank or retailer may charge you to cash your money order. You may also be able to deposit the money order into your bank account. Please note, not all Western Union locations , including where you buy a money order, are able to cash them. However, depending upon the state of purchase, if you do not use or cash the money order within one to three years of the purchase date, a non-refundable service charge will be deducted from the principal amount.

Click here for more information. Not all money orders work abroad, but U. Postal Service money orders can be sent to about 25 countries. Another option: A wire transfer, if you need the money there faster and are willing to pay more. Or check out our best ways to send money internationally.

Check-cashing locations, convenience stores and grocery stores can be alternatives, but watch out for fees. Banks accept U. Postal Service money orders as they would regular checks at branches, ATMs or even on a banking app with a mobile check deposit function. How to pick between a cashier's check and a money order. If you no longer have the money order or you made a mistake on it, you may be able to cancel it and get a replacement or refund — as long as the money order hasn't been cashed.

The issuer will probably have you fill out some paperwork, using information from your receipt, and you'll likely pay a fee. And it can take a month or longer for the issuer to process your claim. If the money order was cashed, you may still be able to get your money back, but you'll generally have to involve the police.

It's relatively simple to find out where a money order is — as long as you've kept your receipt. But the process varies slightly by issuer. The U. Postal Service, MoneyGram and Western Union allow you to track online with information such as the serial number found on your receipt and the purchase amount.

Without the receipt, you'll likely have to file a research request to find your money order's serial number, and that's expensive and time-consuming.

Just be sure to track the money order with the actual provider — it might be Western Union or MoneyGram even if you purchased it at a convenience store. Money orders are typically a safe payment method, but they can also be used fraudulently.

To protect yourself:. Try not to exchange money orders with strangers. This isn't always possible, but if you can, ask to be paid electronically or via another means. Watch for red flags. Verify the funds. Here's a quick rundown of what you need to do to get a money order:.

Be prepared with cash or a debit card, the name of the payee and the amount you want to send. How can I buy a money order? Where can I get a money order? How much does a money order cost? What does a money order cost at some of the biggest U.

Can I buy a money order with a credit card? When should I use a money order? Where can I cash a money order? What do I do if I lost a money order? Money order tracking. Are money orders safe? Show More. How do money orders work? Key takeaways.