How to Cash Money Orders
Determine where the money order is from., Find a place to cash it.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Determine where the money order is from.
Money orders may be issued by the United States Postal Service (USPS), banks, grocery stores, convenience stores, credit unions and cash advance stores.
A money order's place of origin is usually indicated with a logo or stamp in one of the corners of the paper.
Look for the USPS logo, a bank logo, or the name of another institution.
If it's unclear where the money order came from, ask the person who gave it to you where he or she got it.
If you can't figure out where the money order came from, that's OK.
You won't be able to take it to the post office, but you can take it to your bank or another institution that cashes money orders. -
Step 2: Find a place to cash it.
Money orders can typically be cashed at the same locations where they were purchased.
If you have a bank account, you may also choose to cash it there.
These practices are followed internationally.
Go to your bank.
A bank in which you have a checking or savings account will cash a money order.
Some banks will require you to have enough funds to cover the amount of the money order.
You can also deposit a money order into your bank account.
Go to the post office.
The post office will cash money orders that were purchased from a post office.
Larger post offices have more funds to cash larger money orders, so if your money order is for a huge amount, choose the bigger branch in your area.
Go to a grocery or convenience store.
Most grocery and convenience stores that sell money orders will also cash money orders.
Their fees are usually low, and sometimes they cash checks for free.
Go to the credit union that guaranteed the funds.
For example, if the money order is from the L&N Federal Credit Union, any L&N Federal Credit Union branch will cash the money order in full.
Go to a check cashing store.
Use this as a last resort, since check cashing stores usually charge higher fees than grocery or convenience stores.
If you have a money order from a foreign country, you may have to have it cashed in that country and then wired to you.
Banks usually charge steep fees for this service, so if possible, make sure money orders are made out to you in the currency of the country in which you plan to cash it.
Detailed Guide
Money orders may be issued by the United States Postal Service (USPS), banks, grocery stores, convenience stores, credit unions and cash advance stores.
A money order's place of origin is usually indicated with a logo or stamp in one of the corners of the paper.
Look for the USPS logo, a bank logo, or the name of another institution.
If it's unclear where the money order came from, ask the person who gave it to you where he or she got it.
If you can't figure out where the money order came from, that's OK.
You won't be able to take it to the post office, but you can take it to your bank or another institution that cashes money orders.
Money orders can typically be cashed at the same locations where they were purchased.
If you have a bank account, you may also choose to cash it there.
These practices are followed internationally.
Go to your bank.
A bank in which you have a checking or savings account will cash a money order.
Some banks will require you to have enough funds to cover the amount of the money order.
You can also deposit a money order into your bank account.
Go to the post office.
The post office will cash money orders that were purchased from a post office.
Larger post offices have more funds to cash larger money orders, so if your money order is for a huge amount, choose the bigger branch in your area.
Go to a grocery or convenience store.
Most grocery and convenience stores that sell money orders will also cash money orders.
Their fees are usually low, and sometimes they cash checks for free.
Go to the credit union that guaranteed the funds.
For example, if the money order is from the L&N Federal Credit Union, any L&N Federal Credit Union branch will cash the money order in full.
Go to a check cashing store.
Use this as a last resort, since check cashing stores usually charge higher fees than grocery or convenience stores.
If you have a money order from a foreign country, you may have to have it cashed in that country and then wired to you.
Banks usually charge steep fees for this service, so if possible, make sure money orders are made out to you in the currency of the country in which you plan to cash it.
About the Author
Steven Ellis
A passionate writer with expertise in hobbies topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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