Where to Get a Money Order (and What It Costs)
You can buy a money order at a post office, most Walmart stores, many grocery stores and pharmacies, and some banks. Walmart is usually the cheapest, at under $1. A single domestic money order is capped at $1,000, so larger payments need several money orders or a cashier's check.
Checked September 23, 2026.
Where to buy one
| Where | Typical fee | Pay with | Notes |
| Walmart | Under $1 | Cash, debit card | Issued by Western Union at most stores |
| Post office (USPS) | About $2.35–$2.65 up to $500; about $3.40–$3.75 up to $1,000 (check the counter price) | Cash, debit card, traveler's check | Widely accepted, including by government agencies. No credit cards or personal checks |
| Grocery stores (Kroger, Publix, Safeway) | Around $1–$1.50 | Cash, debit card | Some stores cap money orders below $1,000 |
| Convenience stores and pharmacies | Varies, sometimes a percentage | Usually cash | Check the fee before buying |
| Your bank or credit union | Often $5–$10 | From your account | Many credit unions charge less |
For a full cost comparison, including cashier's checks, see the cheapest money orders and cashier's checks.
What to bring
- The amount plus the fee, in cash or on a debit card. Most sellers don't accept credit cards, and card issuers that do usually treat it as a cash advance.
- Photo ID for larger amounts. Federal anti-money-laundering rules require ID above certain thresholds, and many stores ask for it regardless.
- The payee's exact name, so you can fill it in at the counter.
Filling it out
- Write the payee's name on the "Pay to" line straight away. A blank money order can be cashed by anyone.
- Add your name and address as the purchaser.
- Add a memo, such as an account number or "March rent," if the payee asked for one.
- Keep the receipt. It's the only way to track the money order or replace it if it's lost. USPS charges $23 to replace a lost or stolen money order.
Limits
The $1,000 cap applies to each money order, not to each visit. To pay $2,400 you'd buy three money orders and pay three fees. Some stores also set a daily total limit.
When a money order is the wrong choice
- Over about $1,000. Several fees add up, and some payees won't accept a stack of money orders. A cashier's check is simpler.
- For a house closing. Title companies usually want a wire. See ACH vs wire vs Zelle.
- When a stranger asks for one. Overpayment scams often involve fake money orders. If someone sends you a money order for more than you're owed and asks for the difference back, it's a scam.
FAQ
Can I buy a money order online? Not from USPS or Walmart. Money orders are bought in person.
Do money orders expire? USPS money orders don't. Some other issuers start charging fees after a year or more if one isn't cashed.
Can I cancel a money order? If it hasn't been cashed, the seller can refund it when you bring the money order and receipt, sometimes for a fee.
Figures and rules in this article are checked against the official sources below. Where they disagree with us, they win.
- USPS money orders page (limit
- ,000
- , Western Union)
- ,000)
