US Trends

where can you get a money order

You can usually get a money order at banks, post offices, big retail chains, and many grocery or convenience stores.

Quick Scoop

If you’re wondering “where can you get a money order” , here are the most common places, plus what to expect at each.

1. Banks and credit unions

  • Most banks and credit unions sell money orders, especially to their own customers.
  • You typically go to the teller, say the amount, show ID if needed, and pay with cash or from your account. Fees are often a few dollars, sometimes waived for certain account types.
  • Good if you already bank there and don’t want to carry cash around.

2. Post offices (USPS)

  • In the U.S., any post office location can sell you a USPS money order, which is widely accepted and can also be cashed at many banks and post offices.
  • You fill out a simple form (payee name, your info), pay the amount plus a small fee, and keep the receipt for tracking or replacement if it’s lost.
  • USPS caps the amount per money order (often around 1,000 dollars), and fees are tiered by amount.

3. Big-box stores and grocery stores

  • Many large retailers—like Walmart—and some supermarket chains sell money orders at the customer service desk or a money center.
  • They often partner with companies like MoneyGram, Ria, or Western Union; you pay in cash or debit, fill out the form, and get a printed money order on the spot.
  • Fees here are usually low (often under a dollar at some big chains), and hours are longer than a typical bank.

4. Convenience stores and check-cashing spots

  • Lots of convenience stores and dedicated check-cashing or “financial services” shops sell money orders through networks like Western Union or MoneyGram.
  • These can be useful late at night or on weekends, but fees and security policies vary, so it’s smart to ask about cost and replacement rules before you buy.
  • Some of these places will also cash money orders for a fee if you need the money in cash.

5. Money transfer brands (Western Union, etc.)

  • Western Union–branded money orders are sold at many supermarkets, check-cashing stores, and standalone Western Union counters.
  • Process: tell them the amount, fill out the purchaser and payee sections, pay the fee, and keep your receipt for tracking and refunds if needed.

Quick “how it works” example

  • You go to a post office or bank and ask for a 500 dollar money order.
  • You fill in the recipient’s name, your name, and (if needed) an account or memo line, then pay 500 dollars plus the fee and get a receipt.
  • You mail or hand the money order to the recipient, who can cash it at a bank, credit union, USPS, or certain retailers, usually with ID.

Money order basics to keep in mind

  • Common limit: usually up to about 1,000 dollars per individual money order; larger amounts may require multiple money orders.
  • They’re prepaid, so they don’t “bounce” the way personal checks can, which is why landlords and some offices still ask for them.
  • Always keep the stub/receipt; it’s your proof of purchase if it’s lost, stolen, or needs to be tracked.

TL;DR: If you’re asking “where can you get a money order,” your best bets are your bank or credit union, any USPS post office, big retailers like Walmart, many grocery stores, and places that handle Western Union or MoneyGram.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.