Where to Get a Money Order Near You

What a Money Order Is and Why People Use Them

A money order is a paper payment method that works like a prepaid check. You walk into a store or financial institution, hand over cash, and receive a document that shows you've paid a specific amount of money to be sent to someone else. The person receiving it can cash it at their own bank or a check-cashing location.

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Money orders have been around since the 1800s, and they're still used today for several reasons. Unlike a personal check, a money order doesn't require you to have a bank account. Unlike sending cash through the mail, it provides a paper trail that shows money was sent. The person receiving it knows the funds are already paid for—there's no risk the check will bounce. This makes money orders popular for situations where trust matters: paying rent to a new landlord, sending money to family members, paying contractors, or settling bills when you don't want to share your bank account details.

Another reason people choose money orders: they work almost everywhere. Whether you're in a small rural town or a major city, you can find places that sell them. The fees are typically low, ranging from 50 cents to a few dollars depending on the amount and location. This makes them cheaper than wire transfers, which can cost $15 to $30.

Money orders also have limits on how much you can send in one order. Most places cap them at $1,000 per money order, though you can buy multiple orders if you need to send more. This built-in limit actually appeals to some people because it adds a layer of security—if a money order is lost or stolen, the maximum loss is capped.

Practical takeaway: Understand whether a money order fits your actual need. If you're sending a small amount to someone who needs proof of payment, a money order works well. If you're regularly sending money to the same person, a bank transfer might be simpler in the long run.

Retail Stores Where You Can Buy Money Orders

The easiest places to find money orders are large retail chains that most communities have. Walmart is one of the most common sources—nearly all Walmart stores offer money orders at their customer service desk. The fee at Walmart ranges from about $0.70 to $0.88 depending on your state and the amount. You can buy money orders for amounts up to $1,000.

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Target also sells money orders at many of its locations, typically at the guest services desk. The process is similar to Walmart: you bring cash, tell them the amount, and they issue the money order. Target's fees are generally comparable to other retailers, though they vary by location.

Western Union is another major option, though it operates differently than Walmart or Target. Western Union doesn't have its own stores—instead, it works through partner locations. You'll find Western Union services at grocery stores (like Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons), pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens), and other retail partners. Over 500,000 locations worldwide offer Western Union services. When you use Western Union, fees tend to be slightly higher than retail stores, but you get the benefit of accessing their services through multiple store types.

Dollar General and Family Dollar stores, which are common in rural and urban areas alike, also sell money orders. These discount retailers position themselves as accessible options for people who need financial services in areas where banks may be scarce. Their fees are typically among the lowest you'll find, sometimes under $1 for smaller amounts.

7-Eleven and other convenience stores often carry money orders, though not all locations do. If you're in a pinch late at night or early in the morning, a convenience store can be helpful, though you may pay a slightly higher fee for the convenience.

Practical takeaway: Start with a major chain retailer near your home because they tend to have the lowest fees and most straightforward processes. If you need a money order outside normal business hours, note which convenience stores in your area offer them.

Banks and Credit Unions as Money Order Sources

If you have a bank account, your bank is often the best place to get a money order. Most traditional banks—whether large national institutions like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase, or smaller regional banks—offer money orders to their customers. Some banks only sell them to account holders, while others will sell to anyone willing to pay cash.

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The advantage of getting a money order from your bank is that staff can answer questions about how to fill it out correctly and whether it's the right tool for what you're trying to do. Banks also typically have low fees, sometimes as low as $3 to $5 for a money order, and sometimes they include a few free money orders as part of certain account types.

Credit unions often have even better deals on money orders than banks. Many credit unions charge $1 or less per money order, and some offer them free to members. If you're a credit union member, this is worth checking into before you head to a retail store. You can call your credit union's main line and ask about their money order fees and whether they're available at all branches or just certain locations.

The main limitation with banks and credit unions is their hours. Most close by 5 or 6 p.m. on weekdays and have limited Saturday hours. Some branches aren't open on Sundays at all. If you need a money order outside these times, you'll need to use a retail location or online option (discussed in the next section).

Another consideration: some banks require you to visit in person to purchase a money order, while others may allow you to order one over the phone for pickup. It's worth calling ahead to learn your bank's specific process, especially if you're going out of your way to visit.

Practical takeaway: Call your bank or credit union first to learn their money order fees and hours. If you're a credit union member, you may save money by going there instead of a retail store.

Online and Mail-Based Money Order Options

Not everyone can easily get to a physical store during business hours. Online services have emerged to meet this need, though the process works differently than walking into a store. Companies like MoneyGram and Western Union allow you to initiate a money order purchase online, pay with a debit card or bank transfer, and then pick it up at a nearby agent location (often the same retail stores mentioned earlier). This means you can complete the purchase in your own time, but you still need to visit a physical location to collect the actual money order.

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Some online platforms go a step further and offer digital money order-like services. These aren't traditional money orders—they're electronic transfers that serve a similar purpose. Services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) and other payment platforms let you send money digitally for lower fees, especially if you're sending money internationally or across state lines. However, these work through direct bank transfers rather than paper documents.

For people who absolutely cannot visit a store and need a paper money order, some services offer mail delivery, though this adds both cost and time to the process. You might pay $10 to $20 for overnight shipping of a money order, which defeats the purpose of the low cost. This option only makes sense in unusual circumstances.

The reality of online money order services is that they're less convenient than they sound for domestic payments. You still end up at a physical location, and the fees can be higher because of processing costs. However, they do give you flexibility in timing—you can purchase online at 2 a.m. and pick up at a store the next day when it's convenient.

International money orders work differently. If you're sending money to another country, services like MoneyGram and Western Union offer dedicated international money order and transfer services with different fee structures and delivery methods. These are worth exploring if you're sending money abroad, as the options are more varied than for domestic transfers.

Practical takeaway: Online money order services are helpful if you want to complete the purchase step outside business hours, but you'll still need to visit a store to pick up the physical document. Consider whether a direct bank transfer or digital payment service might be faster and cheaper for your specific situation.

What You Need to Bring and How the Process Works

The process of buying a money order is straightforward, but getting it right matters. Here's what you need to know before you walk in.

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First, bring cash or a debit card. Most places accept both, though some smaller locations prefer