Money Orders Cost: Current Prices & Fees

A money order is a prepaid paper payment. You give the seller the amount you want to send plus a small fee, and you get a certificate that the recipient can cash or deposit. Because the money is already paid, it does not bounce the way a personal check can, which is why landlords, private sellers, and agencies often ask for one. The fee is what you pay for that guarantee, and it varies by who sells it and how large the order is.

The face value of the order is not the cost. If you buy a money order for a given amount, you pay that amount plus the fee. The sections below break down the fees at the main sellers.

The fee depends on the seller. Walmart is usually the cheapest option, with a maximum fee that varies by store. The US Postal Service publishes a fixed schedule with two tiers based on the order amount. Banks, credit unions, grocery stores, convenience stores, and check cashing counters set their own prices, so no single national fee exists.

USPS money order fees

USPS sells domestic money orders up to a maximum value, and the fee steps up for larger orders. Postal military money orders issued at military facilities carry a lower fee. USPS also charges to research a paid money order.

You can buy or cash a postal money order at any Post Office. Bring cash or a debit card, since USPS does not accept credit cards for this purchase. The clerk fills out the order at the counter, and you keep the receipt, which you need if the order is lost or you need to trace it.

Walmart and other sellers

Walmart's fee is low and depends on the store, so check the counter. Other sellers charge what they choose.

Western Union and MoneyGram agents sell money orders too, and the fee is set by the individual location. Banks and credit unions may charge a flat fee or waive it for account holders. Call or ask before you go, especially if you need a specific amount.

• Seller: Walmart and the Post Office are generally the low-cost choices.
• Order amount: USPS charges more once the order passes a threshold.
• Location: agents and stores set their own fees, even within one chain.
• Account status: some banks reduce or waive fees for customers.
• Replacement or research: tracing or replacing a lost order costs more than the original purchase.

Most sellers cap the face value of a single money order. If you need to send more than the cap, you may need several orders, and the fee is charged on each. In that case, a bank check, a cashier's check, or a wire transfer may be cheaper and simpler.

A money order works when the recipient will not take a personal check and you have no bank account or prefer not to share account details. Compare it with the alternatives before buying.

• A cashier's check from a bank is often accepted for larger amounts but may cost more and require an account.
• A wire transfer moves money electronically and is faster, though banks charge more for it.
• An online payment app may be free or cheap, but not every landlord or agency accepts it.

If you pay the same person every month, such as a landlord, ask whether they take electronic payment so you can skip the monthly fee.

Fill in the payee name and your own information before you hand the order over, and keep the receipt or stub. Never leave the payee blank, since anyone who finds the order could cash it. Write the purpose in the memo line if there is one.

If you lose an order, contact the seller quickly. Replacement is possible, though a fee applies, and processing takes time. For a postal order, the research fee in the table above applies when you ask USPS for a copy of a paid order.

Be careful when you receive money orders. Fake money orders are a common scam, especially when a buyer sends one for more than the agreed price and asks you to return the difference. USPS publishes guidance on how to spot a fake postal money order, and you should check any order you receive before you release goods or money. If something feels wrong, wait for the funds to clear and ask the issuer to confirm.