Money orders are a paper-based form of payment that are considered safe alternatives to personal checks or cash, particularly when you’re sending money by mail. Places where you can buy money orders for a small fee include post offices, banks and grocery stores.
This step-by-step guide goes over how to fill out a money order, which is a process similar to writing a check, as well as what you need to do before and after you fill out a money order.
Keep in mind that not all money orders look the same, so instructions for filling them out might differ from one provider of money orders to another. Also, it’s worth noting that the provider of the money order fills in the date and dollar amount.
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Steps to Fill Out a Money Order
1. Write the name of the payee
2. Sign your name
3. Provide your address
4. Fill in the memo line
1. Write the Name of the Payee
Where it says “Pay to the order of” (or something similar), fill in the name of the person, business or organization receiving the money order. For example, if you’re sending money to a man named Jeff Smith who’s selling you a piece of art, you’d print the name Jeff Smith on the “Pay to the order of” line.
Be sure to double-check the spelling of the payee’s name. You can’t make changes after a money order has been processed. If you make a mistake in filling out the payee’s name and don’t fix it, the recipient likely will run into trouble cashing the money order.
2. Sign Your Name
In the spot where you see the word “From,” “Purchaser,” “Remitter” or “Sender,” you’ll sign your name. The signature will appear on the front of the money order. There is a place on the back of the money order reserved for the recipient to sign their name.
3. Provide Your Address
You’re typically required to write down your mailing address near your name. There might also be a space to write the payee’s address.
4. Fill in the Memo Line
Although it’s not mandatory, you might consider filling in the memo line. Here you can put things like an account number, an order number or the purpose of the money order.
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What to Do Before Filling Out a Money Order
Here are the steps to take before filling out a money order:
1. Decide where to buy the money order. Among the options are a post office, financial institution, retail outlet, convenience store, pharmacy, check-cashing store or money transfer store (such as Western Union or MoneyGram). Be sure to check the fees before picking where to purchase the money order.
2. Choose the amount of the money order. You’re generally limited to a certain dollar amount, which is normally about $1,000. This is the amount that’ll appear on the money order and that you’ll pay to the recipient.
3. Pay for the money order. You’ll need cash, a debit card or a credit card to cover the amount of the money order, plus any fees that you’re charged. Generally, the fees range from 65 cents to $5. Check the policies of where you’re purchasing one to make sure it accepts your preferred method of payment. For example, the U.S. Postal Service doesn’t accept credit cards for purchases of money orders.
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What to Do After Filling Out a Money Order
After you fill out the money order, follow these steps:
1. Keep the receipt. Tear the receipt off the money order, then store it in a safe spot. The receipt proves you bought the money order. In case any problems arise, you can present the receipt to the seller of the money order. The receipt may also contain a tracking number to help you find out when the recipient cashes or deposits the money order.
2. Send the money order. You might choose to mail the money order to the payee or hand it to them in person. Hang on to any delivery information in case the payee doesn’t receive the money order.
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How to Fill Out a Money Order originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 01/02/26: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.