To send money through Western Union, you typically need the sender’s government-issued ID, your full name and contact details, the recipient’s full name exactly as it appears on their ID, and the payout method details. The exact information depends on whether the recipient gets cash pickup, a bank deposit, or mobile wallet transfer.

What you usually need

  • Your government-issued photo ID.
  • Your full legal name, address, and phone number.
  • The recipient’s full name, matching their ID exactly.
  • The destination country and, sometimes, the recipient’s address or phone number.
  • The payment method you’ll use, such as cash, debit card, or credit card.
  • If sending to a bank account, the recipient’s bank name, account number, and sometimes SWIFT/BIC, IBAN, routing number, or local bank code depending on the country.

By transfer type

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Transfer typeUsually required
Cash pickupRecipient’s full name exactly as on ID, destination country, and sometimes phone number or address
Bank depositRecipient’s name, bank name, account number, and often SWIFT/BIC, IBAN, routing number, or local bank code
In person at an agentGovernment-issued ID and the funds or payment card used to pay the transfer

Common gotchas

  • The recipient’s name must match their ID or bank records exactly.
  • Some countries require extra details, so the needed information can vary by destination.
  • If you’re unsure, it’s safest to have the recipient’s bank details or ID information ready before starting.

Practical example

If you’re sending cash pickup, you may only need the recipient’s full name and destination. If you’re sending to a bank account, you may need the account number plus bank identifiers like SWIFT/BIC or IBAN.

TL;DR: bring your ID, know the recipient’s exact legal name, and have the transfer details ready for the payout method you choose.