How do you get a money order?

Once you decide which company you'd like to purchase a money order from, the process is simple. In most cases, you'll fill out a short form that provides the company with your contact info and details about the money order itself. From there, you simply pay the face value of the money order plus any fees, and the company will print it for you.

What locations do money orders?

Many common businesses provide money orders, including banks and credit unions, post offices, convenience stores, pharmacies and grocery stores.

How can I get a money order near me?

To get a money order you can type "money order near me" into Google Maps, or consider one of the following places known to sell and cash money orders : Western Union U.S. Postal Service 7-Eleven CVS Pharmacy Safeway Kroger Meijer Publix Walmart

Where is the easiest place to get a money order?

Some of the easiest places to get a money order from are Walmart, Kroger and the U.S. Postal Service.

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Where To Get a Money Order: 10 Best Places To Buy One

August 20, 2024

5 min Read

Written by Joshua Rodriguez

Edited by Melanie Grafil

nortonrsx / Getty Images/iStockphoto

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Many companies do not accept personal checks. So in some instances, you may need to make payments, pay bills or send money via money orders. But where are the best places to get a money order? It is best to know your options before you decide to choose one provider over another.

Where To Get a Money Order: 10 Best Places

A money order can be purchased from a variety of places, including post offices, convenience stores, banking institutions, credit unions and retail establishments like Walmart. Keep in mind that each provider has its own money order costs, limitations and fees. Here is a list of the 10 best places to get a money order, considering maximum limits and fees:

Banks and credit unions
Western Union
U.S. Postal Service
7-11
CVS Pharmacy
Safeway
Kroger
Meijer
Publix
Walmart

1. Banks and Credit Unions

One of the best places to get your hands on a money order is your local bank or credit union — as long as your bank offers competitive fees. For example, Wells Fargo charges $5 per money order, which is significantly higher than the average fee of around $2. On the other hand, Regions Bank offers money orders for $2.

If your bank or credit union charges above-average fees for money orders, do not worry. There are plenty of other options. If you have a savings or checking account with the bank you may be able to waive the fees for the money order.

2. Western Union

Western Union is a popular option for money orders. The maximum limit for a WU money order is $999.99.

As far as fees, some locations may charge as little as $1, while others charge much more, so be sure to ask your Western Union representative about fees before you place the order.

3. U.S. Postal Service

The United States Postal Service is a cost-effective option for purchasing money orders, especially if you need one for under $500. Here is how the fees work:

If your money order is $500.00 or under, the fee is $2.35.
If your money order is $500.01 to $1,000, the fee is $3.40.
Military money orders of any value have a fee of $0.79.

As with all providers, limits apply. USPS caps domestic money orders at $1,000 and international money orders at $700.

4. 7-Eleven

Most 7-Eleven locations offer money orders. However, as is the case with Western Union, the fee you will pay depends on the location you visit. Also, 7-Eleven limits money orders to $500 each.

5. CVS Pharmacy

Some CVS locations offer money orders via MoneyGram. Fees vary based on your location and aren’t listed publicly.

6. Safeway

Some Safeway locations provide money orders through Western Union.

7. Kroger

Kroger is a low-cost option for accessing money orders. Check with your local Kroger store to find out the maximum limit for a money order.

8. Meijer

If you live in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio or Wisconsin and you have a Meijer nearby, you are in luck. This company offers money orders for a fee of just $0.65 each; this could vary by location, though. You can purchase money orders with your debit card as opposed to cash and incur no additional fee.

9. Publix

Publix is not just a grocery store, the company also offers a wide range of financial services, including money orders. It offers money orders through Western Union.

10. Walmart

How much is a money order at Walmart? The answer is $1 or less. Walmart states that its fee for money orders will vary by location, but it will never be over $1. And like most places, the company also limits the value of money orders to $1,000.

How Much Is a Money Order?

The cost of a money order depends on where you purchase it. In some cases, such as at the USPS, the price also depends on the amount of the money order.

Benefits of Money Orders

Money orders have several benefits including the following:

In general, they don’t expire.
They’re helpful for payments if you don’t have a checking or savings account.
You can send them via snail mail instead of cash.
If you lose the money order, you may be able to get a replacement.

Alternatives to Money Orders

If a money order is the right choice for payment, you can opt for any of the following alternatives:

P2P payment services, such as Zelle, Cash App or Venmo
Cashier’s check
Wire transfer
ACH transfer

Final Take To GO

Whether you need a money order to place a deposit on a new apartment or pay for services from a provider that does not accept checks, you will not have to look too hard. Compare the fees and limits of the services above that sell money orders and you will be ready to roll. When your checking account or credit card won’t cut it, a money order can help you out in a pinch.

Banks and Other Services Nearby

Bank Branches

Nearby Banks

Bank of America

Capital One

Chase

Citi®

Regions

TD Bank

U.S. Bank

Wells Fargo

Other Services

Coinstar

Pawn Shops

Money Order Costs

Cynthia Measom, Caitlyn Moorhead and Kelli Francis contributed to the reporting for this article.

Data is accurate as of Aug. 16, 2024, and is subject to change.

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