US Trends

where to cash money order

You can usually cash a money order at the same place it was bought, or at a similar financial service location that handles checks and payments.

Where to cash a money order (main options)

  • Post office (USPS money orders)
    • Any post office can cash or let you deposit a USPS money order, often with low or no fees, especially if it’s a USPS-issued one.
* Good option if the money order clearly says “United States Postal Service” on it.
  • Banks and credit unions
    • Most banks and credit unions will let you cash or deposit a money order, especially if you have an account there.
* Customers often pay no fee; non‑customers may pay a small fee or have limits on the amount they can cash.
  • Check‑cashing stores and payday lenders
    • Many check‑cashing locations and payday‑loan style stores will cash MoneyGram, Western Union, and other common money orders.
* They almost always charge a fee, which may be a flat amount or a percentage of the money order value.
  • Big retail chains and supermarkets
    • Large retailers like Walmart and many grocery stores have money centers or service desks that cash money orders (often if they were bought there, but sometimes from other issuers too).
* Hours are often longer than banks, which helps if you need to cash it at night or on weekends.
  • Money transfer brands (Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.)
    • If your money order is from Western Union or MoneyGram, look for locations that display that brand’s logo; some will cash them directly, and others will let you deposit them into your bank.
* Not every agent location can cash them, so it’s smart to call ahead.

How to decide the best place

  • Check the logo on the money order.
    • If it says USPS, go to a post office; if it says Western Union, try a Western Union agent; same idea for MoneyGram and big retailers.
  • If you have a bank account, start there.
    • Your own bank or credit union is often the cheapest and safest choice, and they may let you deposit through a teller, ATM, or mobile app (especially for USPS money orders).
  • If you don’t have a bank account:
    • Use post offices, check‑cashing stores, or retailer money centers that advertise money order cashing.
* Compare fees if you can; sometimes one store a bit farther away is much cheaper.

What you need to bring

  • The original money order , not a copy.
  • A valid government ID like a driver’s license, passport, or state ID.
  • Your account details or debit card if you’re depositing it into a bank or credit union account.

You’ll usually sign (endorse) the back in front of the clerk, choose whether to receive cash or deposit the funds, and get a receipt when you’re done.

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