Where can I buy a money order?

The cheapest money orders are at Walmart ($0.88) and grocery stores ($0.70-$1.50). The U.S. Post Office charges $1.75-$2.40. Banks and credit unions typically charge $5.00 but may be free for account holders. Western Union locations charge $1.00-$5.00.

What is the maximum amount for a money order?

Most money orders have a $1,000 limit. USPS allows up to $1,000 for domestic ($700 international). Walmart's limit is $1,000. Banks may offer higher limits. For amounts over $1,000, you'll need multiple money orders or a cashier's check.

Where to Get a Money Order: Cost & Location Guide (2026)

Q: Can I buy a money order with a credit card?

Generally no. Most retailers require cash, debit card, or bank-issued check. Using a credit card would typically be coded as a cash advance with high fees. Some banks may allow it but charge cash advance rates.

Where to Buy Money Orders

Cheapest Options

Location	Cost	Limit	Payment Accepted
Walmart	$0.88	$1,000	Cash, debit
Kroger/grocery stores	$0.70-$1.50	$500-$1,000	Cash, debit
7-Eleven	$0.99-$1.49	$500	Cash
CVS	$1.25-$1.65	$500	Cash, debit
Walgreens	$1.25	$500	Cash, debit
Publix	$0.89	$1,000	Cash, debit

Post Office

Type	Cost	Limit
Domestic (up to $500)	$1.75	$500
Domestic ($500.01-$1,000)	$2.40	$1,000
International	$5.15	$700

Banks & Credit Unions

Location	Typical Cost	Limit
Your bank (member)	$0-$5	Varies
Bank (non-member)	$5-$10	May not serve
Credit unions	$0-$3	Varies

Other Options

Location	Cost	Notes
Western Union	$1-$5	Varies by location
MoneyGram	$1-$5	Grocery stores, check cashing
Check cashing stores	$1-$3	Higher fees for other services

Cost Comparison

Same $500 Money Order

Location	Fee	Notes
Kroger	$0.70	Cheapest
Publix	$0.89	Southern states
Walmart	$0.88	Nationwide
7-Eleven	$0.99	Convenient hours
CVS	$1.25	Common locations
USPS	$1.75	Most secure
Bank	$5.00	May be free for members

For $1,000 (Two $500 if Limited)

Location	Single Order	Two Orders (if needed)
Walmart	$0.88	$0.88
USPS	$2.40	$4.80
Bank	$5.00	$10.00

How to Buy a Money Order

Step-by-Step

Step	Action
1	Bring exact amount in cash or debit card
2	Tell clerk the amount needed
3	Pay the amount plus fee
4	Fill out money order immediately
5	Keep your receipt

What You’ll Need

Item	Purpose
Cash or debit card	Payment
Recipient’s name	To fill out
Your information	Sender details
ID (sometimes)	For large amounts

How to Fill Out a Money Order

Fields to Complete

Field	What to Write
Pay to the Order of	Recipient’s name (person or company)
Address (if present)	Recipient’s address
From/Purchaser	Your full name
Address	Your address
Memo/Account #	Reference number (like bill account)
Signature	Sign on purchaser line (NOT endorsement line)

Important Tips

Tip	Why
Fill out immediately	Protects against theft
Use ink pen	Permanent, can’t be erased
Don’t leave “Pay to” blank	Anyone could fill it in
Keep receipt	Proof of purchase, tracking
Double-check spelling	Can’t easily correct

Money Order Limits

By Location

Location	Per Money Order	Daily Limit
USPS	$1,000 domestic, $700 international	No official limit
Walmart	$1,000	May vary by store
Grocery stores	$500-$1,000	May vary
Western Union	$1,000	Varies
Banks	Often higher	Account dependent

For Large Amounts

Amount Needed	Solution
$1,000-$3,000	Multiple money orders
$3,000+	Cashier’s check may be better
$10,000+	Wire transfer or cashier’s check

Payment Methods Accepted

By Location

Location	Cash	Debit	Credit	Check
Walmart	✓	✓	✗	✗
Post Office	✓	✓	✗	✗
Grocery stores	✓	✓	✗	✗
CVS/Walgreens	✓	✓	✗	✗
Banks	✓	✓	✗	✓ (your own)

Why No Credit Cards?

Reason	Explanation
Cash advance coding	High fees (3-5%)
Fraud risk	Money laundering concerns
Store policy	Most refuse

When to Use Money Orders

Good Uses

Situation	Why Money Order
Rent payment	Landlord requires
Security deposit	Paper trail
No checking account	Can’t write check
Don’t trust recipient	Safer than cash
Anonymity preferred	No bank account info shared

When Other Options Are Better

Situation	Better Alternative
Over $1,000	Cashier’s check
Recurring payments	Auto-pay, bill pay
Online payments	Debit/credit card
Person-to-person	Zelle, Venmo, PayPal
International	Wire transfer

Tracking and Canceling

If Money Order Is Lost or Stolen

Step	Action
1	Locate your receipt
2	Contact issuer
3	Request cancel/replace or trace
4	Pay processing fee
5	Wait for resolution

Fees to Stop Payment

Issuer	Stop Payment Fee
USPS	$6.10 (may take 60 days)
Western Union	$15
MoneyGram	$18
Banks	$30+

Tracking

Issuer	How to Track
USPS	Request copy of cashed order
Western Union	Online or phone
MoneyGram	Online with reference number
Banks	Contact customer service

Cashing a Money Order

Where to Cash

Location	Fee	Requirements
Your bank	Free	Account holder
Issuing location	Free-$3	Valid ID
Grocery stores	$3-$6	Valid ID
Check cashing stores	1-3%	Valid ID

How to Cash

Step	Action
1	Endorse back of money order
2	Bring valid ID
3	Go to bank or cashing location
4	Present money order
5	Receive cash or deposit

Money Order vs Alternatives

Comparison

Method	Cost	Limit	Security	Speed
Money order	$0.70-$5	$1,000	High	Days
Cashier’s check	$10-$15	Higher	Highest	Days
Personal check	Free	Account balance	Medium	Days
Wire transfer	$20-$50	High	High	Same day
Zelle/Venmo	Free	$500-$5,000	Medium	Instant

When Each Is Best

Need	Best Option
Landlord requires paper payment	Money order
Large purchase ($5,000+)	Cashier’s check
Pay friend/family	Zelle or Venmo
International payment	Wire transfer
Seller doesn’t accept checks	Money order or cashier’s check

Money Order Fraud Prevention

Buying Safely

Tip	Why
Buy from reputable places	Avoid counterfeit
Keep receipt	Proof of purchase
Fill out immediately	Prevent tampering
Don’t share receipt info	Prevents fraud

Receiving Money Orders

Warning Sign	What It Means
Over-payment for item	Scam
Asked to wire difference	Definitely scam
Money order looks wrong	May be counterfeit
Pressure to deposit quickly	Red flag

Identifying Fake Money Orders

Real Money Order	Fake Signs
Watermarks	No watermarks
Security thread	Missing security features
Correct formatting	Wrong fonts or colors
Official issuer	Unknown source

Store Hours for Money Orders

Extended Hours Options

Location	Typical Hours
7-Eleven	24/7
Walmart	6 AM - 11 PM
CVS/Walgreens	7 AM - 10 PM
Grocery stores	6 AM - 11 PM
Post Office	8 AM - 5 PM (M-F)

Weekend Availability

Location	Saturday	Sunday
Walmart	Yes	Yes
Grocery stores	Yes	Yes
CVS/Walgreens	Yes	Yes
Post Office	Limited	Closed
Banks	Limited	Closed

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a money order refund?

Yes, if uncashed. You’ll need the receipt and pay a processing fee ($6-$30). The process takes several weeks. If cashed, you cannot get a refund.

Do money orders expire?

Most don’t expire, but some start deducting fees after 1-3 years of non-use. USPS money orders don’t expire. Check the fine print for other issuers.

Can I buy a money order with a credit card anywhere?

Almost nowhere. This protects against fraud and is typically coded as a cash advance. Don’t expect to earn credit card rewards on money orders.

Why would a landlord require money orders?

Landlords often prefer money orders because they can’t bounce like personal checks, and they provide proof of payment date and amount.

Bottom Line

Factor	Recommendation
Cheapest	Grocery stores ($0.70-$1.00)
Most trusted	USPS ($1.75-$2.40)
Most convenient	Walmart ($0.88, long hours)
For large amounts	Cashier’s check instead
Free option	Some banks for members

Key takeaways:

Walmart and grocery stores are cheapest
Always fill out money order immediately
Keep your receipt for tracking
Don’t use for amounts over $1,000 (get cashier’s check)
Never buy money orders with credit cards

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