Where to Cash a Money Order
The cheapest way to cash a money order is to deposit it into your own bank account, which is usually free. Without a bank account, a post office will cash USPS money orders for free, and Walmart and check-cashing stores will cash most others for a small fee.
Checked September 23, 2026.
Your options
| Where | Cost | Works for | Notes |
| Your own bank or credit union | Usually free | Any money order | Deposit at a branch, an ATM or in the app. The money may be held for a day or more |
| Post office | Free | USPS money orders only | Photo ID required. Large amounts may take a few days if the office doesn't have the cash |
| Walmart Money Center | Small fee | Mainly MoneyGram and Western Union money orders | Photo ID required |
| The issuer's bank | Varies | Money orders drawn on that bank | Non-customers may pay a fee |
| Check-cashing stores | Often a percentage | Most money orders | The most expensive option. Use it last |
What to bring
- The money order, endorsed on the back. See how to endorse a check, since it works the same way.
- A government photo ID whose name matches the payee line.
How long the money takes
If you deposit a money order, federal rules treat it like a low-risk item. The first $275 of a deposit is usually available the next business day, and the rest soon after. New accounts and large deposits can be held longer. See how long a check takes to clear.
Check that it's real first
Fake money orders are common in online-marketplace and overpayment scams. Before you cash one from someone you don't know:
- Hold it to the light. USPS money orders have a watermark and a security thread running top to bottom.
- Scan the QR code on newer USPS money orders. It opens the official status tool.
- Call the issuer using a phone number you looked up yourself, not one printed on the money order.
If a money order turns out to be fake after you deposited it, the bank will take the money back out of your account, even if you've already spent it. See what happens when a check bounces.
FAQ
Can I deposit a money order in a mobile banking app? Most banks allow it. Some exclude money orders from mobile deposit, so check your bank's list.
Can someone else cash my money order? Only if you sign it over to them, and many places won't accept a signed-over money order. Depositing it yourself is safer.
Can I cash a money order at an ATM? You can deposit it at your own bank's ATM. ATMs don't pay out cash for money orders on the spot.
Figures and rules in this article are checked against the official sources below. Where they disagree with us, they win.
- USPS money orders page (security features, 2026 redesign)
- USPS FAQ 'Money Orders – The Basics' (June 2026)
- Walmart Money Center service listing
