Where to Buy Money Orders Near You

Understanding Money Orders and Where They're Sold

A money order is a piece of paper that works like a check, but it's prepaid. When you buy a money order, you're paying the exact amount upfront, plus a small fee. The money order then goes to whoever you're paying, and they can cash it at most banks and stores. Money orders are useful when you don't have a checking account, don't want to send cash through the mail, or need to pay someone who won't take a personal check.

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Money orders are sold at many common locations. The U.S. Postal Service sells them at post offices nationwide—there are roughly 31,000 post office locations across the country. Walmart sells money orders at customer service desks in most of their 4,700+ stores. Other retailers like CVS, Walgreens, and various grocery stores also offer them. Banks and credit unions often sell money orders to their customers. Check-cashing businesses and some convenience stores carry them too. Each location has slightly different fees and maximum amounts you can order.

The cost of a money order varies by where you buy it. The U.S. Postal Service charges between $1.99 and $9.65 depending on the amount, as of recent pricing. Walmart typically charges $0.88 for money orders up to $1,000. Grocery stores and pharmacies may charge $1 to $5. When you choose where to buy a money order, compare fees at locations near you—the difference can add up if you buy multiple money orders.

Money orders have maximum limits. Most retailers won't sell a single money order for more than $1,000. If you need to send more than that, you'll need to buy multiple money orders or use a different payment method like a wire transfer or cashier's check. Before heading out, consider how much you need to send and what the maximum limits are at your preferred location.

Practical takeaway: Money orders are available at post offices, Walmart, drugstores, grocery stores, banks, and check-cashing businesses. Fees range from less than $1 to about $10 depending on location and amount. Check what's closest to you and compare fees before buying.

Using the U.S. Postal Service for Money Orders

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is one of the most reliable places to get a money order. Post offices are located in nearly every town and city in America. You can find your nearest post office by visiting USPS.com and using their location finder tool. Post offices are typically open Monday through Friday, and many have Saturday hours. Some rural areas may have limited hours, so it's worth checking ahead, especially if you're in a smaller town.

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When you go to a post office to buy a money order, bring cash, a debit card, or a credit card. You'll need to know the exact amount you want to order and have the recipient's name ready. A postal worker will help you fill out the money order form, which asks for your name and address and the payee's (recipient's) name and address. The entire process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. Once completed, you get a receipt showing the transaction details, and you keep that receipt until you confirm the money order was received and cashed.

USPS money order fees depend on the amount being sent. For amounts up to $500, the fee is $1.99 as of 2024. For amounts between $500.01 and $1,000, the fee is $9.65. This makes USPS competitive for smaller amounts but slightly higher for larger ones. The maximum amount for a single USPS money order is $1,000. If you need to send more, you'd purchase multiple money orders.

One advantage of using USPS is that you can add tracking to your money order through the Domestic Money Order Tracking service. This means if you mail the money order, you can verify whether it was delivered and cashed. This tracking service is particularly useful if you're sending money to someone you don't know well or if the amount is substantial. Keep your receipt number safe—you'll need it to file a claim if the money order goes missing.

Practical takeaway: Post offices are widely available and offer reliable money orders with fees starting at $1.99. You can track USPS money orders to confirm delivery and cashing. Bring your payment method and know the recipient's name and address before going in.

Retail Locations: Walmart, Grocery Stores, and Pharmacies

Walmart is one of the cheapest places to buy money orders in the United States. They charge $0.88 per money order for amounts up to $1,000. With over 4,700 Walmart locations nationwide, there's likely one within a reasonable distance. You can buy money orders at the customer service desk during store hours. Most Walmarts are open from early morning until 11 p.m., making them convenient if post offices' hours don't work for you.

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To buy a money order at Walmart, go to the customer service counter with cash or a debit card. Credit cards are not accepted for money order purchases at Walmart. You'll provide the recipient's name and address, and a staff member will process your order. The transaction takes about 5 minutes. You'll receive a receipt that you should keep until you're sure the money order has been cashed. Walmart money orders can be used just like any other money order—the recipient can cash them at banks, check-cashing places, or most retail locations.

Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and regional chains often sell money orders at their customer service desks. Fees typically range from $1 to $3, making them competitive with other retailers. Many grocery stores are open longer hours than post offices, sometimes from 6 a.m. to midnight or later. Chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens also sell money orders, usually for $1 to $1.50 per order. These locations are often convenient because you might already be shopping there.

One thing to keep in mind is that not every location of a chain necessarily sells money orders. Before making a trip, call ahead to confirm that the specific store near you carries them. Some smaller or rural locations may not offer this service. You can call the customer service desk at your local store to ask about availability, maximum amounts, and current fees. Prices and services can vary slightly by location, so it's worth asking these questions before heading out.

Practical takeaway: Walmart offers the lowest retail money order fees at $0.88. Grocery stores and pharmacies charge $1 to $3 and often have longer hours than post offices. Call ahead to confirm your local store sells money orders before visiting.

Banks and Credit Unions

Banks and credit unions often sell money orders to their customers. If you have an account at a bank or credit union, asking about money orders should be your first step. Many financial institutions offer this service, and some waive the fee for account holders or charge a reduced amount. For example, some banks charge $5 to $10 per money order for non-customers but offer them free or at a discount to customers. This makes buying a money order a potential benefit of having a bank account.

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To buy a money order at your bank or credit union, visit during business hours with your ID and payment method. Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some having Saturday hours. A teller will assist you with the process. You'll need to provide the recipient's name and address and the amount you want to order. Banks typically offer higher maximum amounts than retail locations—often up to $10,000 or more per order—which is useful if you're sending a larger sum of money.

One benefit of using a bank or credit union is that the transaction is recorded in your account history. This creates a clear paper trail showing what money was sent and when. This documentation can be helpful for personal record-keeping or if any issues arise later. Banks may also be able to provide additional services, such as placing a stop payment on a money order or helping you track one that went missing.

If you don't have a bank account but have access to one (for example, if a family member lets you use theirs), you could ask them to help you buy a money order. Some banks may allow this, though policies vary. It's worth asking a teller what options are available. For people without bank accounts, this might not be realistic,