Money orders look similar to personal checks and filling them out is also a similar process. (Indicator on image above shows where such signature field may appear on other money orders.). Depending on their policy, they may be able to correct it for you. And paying cash doesn’t create a paper trail the way paying with a money order does. And, just as with a check, there are certain things you have to include for it to be valid. Advertisement. This compensation comes from two main sources. That’s where the payee signs the money order once they’ve received it. Write your full name, and if there is an address line, fill it out too. What's The Difference Between A Bank And A Credit Union? Make sure the name is spelled correctly, otherwise the recipient. Learning how to write a money order is easy, but it’s important to get it right. Filling out a money order is as simple as plugging in the details mentioned above. Figuring out how to write a money order is easy, but it's essential that you do it right. Postal Service, grocery stores and other retail locations. Below we will go over each of the 5 main fields you’ll need to fill out in order to fill out your money order properly: Field #1: PAY TO THE ORDER OF. Some money orders only have an area for your name. Don’t write on the back of the money order; this area is for the recipient to sign. Since your money orders are not tied directly to an account you own, they are difficult to track. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. Somewhere on the money order, you should see a “Signature” field. Typically, you need to have cash or a debit card to pay for money orders. Next, you’ll write down your address. The biggest differences between them lie in the cost and speed. USPS money orders can be used for amounts up to $1000.00. But, while paying cash may be an obvious choice, it’s not always a realistic one. Gather enough funds for the money order (plus fee), the recipient’s contact information, and your account number if you’re paying a bill. Sign the money order on the bottom right field on the front. Before you go to buy a money order, make sure you know what types … If the payee is a person, you may put their home address. Fill in the recipient's name (whether it's a person or a business) in the field marked "Payee," "Pay To," "Pay To the Order of" or some variant on this general theme. Start a free trial now to save yourself time and money! Last step – be sure to keep your receipt for your records. A prepaid debit card enables you to load money onto the card, which you can then use to pay bills. 1. Money order fees vary but with a Shopper’s Card you may be eligible for a discount. This is where you’ll add the recipient’s address information. Following these steps can help to ensure that your money order is properly completed before sending it off to the payee. For example, if you need to pay your mortgage, you could use an ACH transfer from your bank. How to fill out a Walmart Money Order (Money Gram) - YouTube Available for PC, iOS and Android. Also, unlike a check you pay for a money order in advance, not when the person receiving it cashes it. Once you’ve paid for the money order, it’s as good as cash. © 2021 Forbes Media How Will Your Payment Arrive? The most secure digital platform to get legally binding, electronically signed documents in just a few seconds. Once you’ve paid for it, a money order is as good as cash. Write the name of the person or company where you’re sending the money order to in the “Pay to the Order of:” line. Fill in your name and address. Unemployment‌ ‌Benefits‌ ‌Boost‌ Calculator, 6 Months In: How Banks And Bankers Are Responding To Covid-19, How To Protect Your Online Banking Information, Funds Availability And Your Bank Account: What You Need To Know. This typically goes underneath your name, if this information is required. Or, if you’re paying a bill, you could mention that in the memo line. Write the name of the person or organization to whom you’re sending money on the line that says some variation of “Pay to” or “Pay to the order of.”. Making the best use of them, of course, starts with knowing how to fill out a money order. Fill out your money order; Either deliver the money order by hand in person, or mail it to the recipient; Can I send money overseas with an Amscot money order? If you’re filling out a money order for the first time, it’s helpful to understand how to do it step by step. In most cases, the process is quite straightforward – but since it deals with money, you must get it right on the first go. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The payee is the party that receives the money you’re sending via money order. If you leave the fields blank, then lose the money order, anyone who picks it up can make it out to him or herself and keep your money. However extra fees may apply if paying for the money order other than with cash. This is the name of the payee: the person or company receiving the payment. This could result in an additional fee; be careful and write slowly when you fill it out A money order is a secure form of payment you can use in place of checks, cash or credit cards. Filling out a money order with USPS is similar to writing a check, but there are a few differences regarding the information you need to fill in. This receipt should include a tracking number that you can use to track the money order and see when it’s cashed. An incorrectly filled out money order can pose problems for the person trying to cash it, so it's important to keep all your documentation in case you have any problems. Money orders can be purchased through banks, money transfer providers such as Western Union or MoneyGram, the U.S. The way you fill out a money order is very similar to how you fill out a check. Steps to Fill Out a Money Order. Write the Payee Name. A Travelers Express money order for $20.00 U.S. is ready to be filled out by the purchaser. How to fill out a money order. Write Name of Recipient. Purchase the money order at a bank, credit union, post office or another provider. Editorial Note: Forbes may earn a commission on sales made from partner links on this page, but that doesn't affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Fill in your name in the "From," "Purchaser" or "Purchaser, Signer for Drawer" field, though this only appears on some money orders. Include notes about the transaction in the "Memo" field if there is one. How to Fill Out a Money Order Posted by Frank Gogol. They are represented by little slips of paper the money order buyer fills out. If you lose a money order before you fill it out, anyone can pick it up, fill it out to themselves, and cash it. You also must fill out a money order correctly, otherwise it will have to be canceled and refunded, and then repurchased. Follow these steps to make sure you’re filling out an international money order correctly. Filling the payee field out first is important because, until that’s filled in, anyone could write their name on the money order and cash it. If a money order is ever lost, damaged or stolen, you can fill out a form to get another replacement. First, you’ll fill in your name. Here are the steps to follow when you fill it out: 1. The first thing that you should do is write out the name of the recipient for the money order. Person-to-person payment apps let you pay bills and send money from your bank account without having to write checks. 3. Your receipt will also come in handy if you later need to cancel or replace a money order because it’s lost or stolen. Triple check the recipient’s information. A Travelers Express money order for $20.00 U.S. is ready to be filled out by the purchaser. To buy a money order, just bring along the cash to cover the amount requested and fee. Where Is My Stimulus Check? Fill this out immediately after purchase. Below the space for the payee’s name, you should see another field for the payee’s address. Double-check it to make sure you’re writing the street number and street name correctly. Aside from the face value of the money order, you’ll also have to pay whatever fees the issuer charges, which can range from under a dollar to $5, depending on where you purchase the money order. Do You Need To Claim The Second Stimulus Check? You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Fill out the money order as soon as possible. However, to correctly fill out a money order, you will need to provide the requested information: Name: Write the full name of the person or business you are paying with the money order. Daphne Foreman is the Banking and Personal Finance Analyst for Forbes Advisor. This means they are accepted more often than checks, as they can’t bounce back due to lack of funds. This is where you’ll want to add your signature once you’ve filled out the rest of the money order. Advertisement . Cashier’s checks and certified checks are two forms of official checks you can secure at a bank using your bank account. As a small business owner and former financial advisor, Daphne has first-hand experience with the challenges individuals face in making smart financial choices. These are generally very affordable and easy to fill out. Second Stimulus Check Calculator: How Much Will You Receive? You’ll also want to include the account number for the bill you’re paying here. Make sure the amount you paid and the amount printed on the money order are the same. Amscot money orders can be sent overseas, but before you do so, you should call Amscot customer support at (813) 637-6250 to ensure the destination country supports Amscot money orders. A person who buys a money order will have to fill out the name of the recipient on a form and the amount that the recipient should receive. This is where you’ll write the purpose of the money order. Instead, show the error to the person or business you’re buying the money order from. Make sure the recipient’s name and address are exactly correct. This field might be labeled "Pay to the order of," "Pay to," or "Payee." If you haven’t paid for your money order yet, you’d need to do that first before you can send it. Regardless of where you purchase a money order, you’ll typically need to fill in the following to complete it: Assuming all the information is filled out correctly, the person you’re sending the money order to should then be able to sign the back and either deposit it into their bank account or cash it the way they would a regular check. Sign the money order in a "Signature" or "Purchaser" field, if one is required. Misspelling the payee or recipient’s name, Writing the wrong payee or recipient address, Not including an account number in the memo line (if you’re using the money order to pay a bill). Money orders are useful for transactions where you can't or don't want to use cash, a personal check, a bank or cashier's check, or a credit card. Write their name clearly and in ink so that it can’t be altered later if the money order is lost or stolen. Keep the detachable receipt for your money order after you fill it out, and record who you sent it to. Filling out a money order is as simple as plugging in the details mentioned above. In some instances, you don’t need a bank account to send one. Filling out a money order shouldn’t be a complicated process, if you know what information is needed and where it should go. She has worked as a personal finance editor, writer, and content strategist covering banking, credit cards, insurance and investing. Illustration by Euralis Weekes. How To Fill Out A Money Order__Try Cash App using my code and we’ll each get $5! Check your local store for details as fees and limits vary by state. The recipient could also be a business like the Internal Revenue Service. This will appear on the front of the money order. LLC. The steps are fairly simple, and are as follows: 1. You might consider that option if you don’t have a traditional bank account. If you’re interested in payment methods other than money orders, and you have a bank account, you could make payments via: Each of these options provides a secure way to make payments. This isn’t complicated at all, but making sure that you know how to complete every important detail can save you money and even time. How do you fill out a money order? You can buy money orders for a a fee that ranges from $1-$5 depending on where you purchase the money order. Other places you can get a mone… First, you have to get the money order. But some money order issuers will allow you to pay with a credit card. Fill in the recipient’s name. Or it could be the name of a business, if you’re using the money order to pay a bill. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. You cannot make alterations once the money order is processed. Make sure you have a dark-ink pen to fill out the form. Start by buying a money order for the desired amount. Fill out the money order as soon as you purchase it. Fill out, securely sign, print or email your money order template form instantly with SignNow. If you see that you’ve made a mistake, don’t try to correct it yourself. [1] X Research source [2] X Research source You can purchase a money order from the Post Office. 2. Step 3. Write the name of the … Although money orders typically only cost a few dollars, some issuers charge higher fees than others. And money orders can only be claimed by the person or business they’re addressed to. Regardless of where you purchase a money order, it must be filled out properly. You can do money orders anywhere there is a Western Union. Or you might have to cancel the money order if you’ve already paid for it and purchase a new one. The trade-off for that convenience, however, usually means paying a fee to your bank. Also there is a fee you must pay to get another money order. Somewhere on your money order, you may see a “Memo” field. This could be a person, if you’re making a cash payment to an individual. But if either scenario happens, it’s helpful to know beforehand what you’ll need to do to resolve the situation and get the money back. MoneyGram's money order is even simpler to fill out: fill in, from top to bottom, who you're paying the order to, your signature, and your address. Be sure to use pen and write legibly. This final step before you can send it off to the recipient is not required for USPS postal money orders. Wikipedia. A money order is essentially a type of prepaid check. I've written for Life + Money by Citi, Bankrate and The Balance, among others. Add the recipient. Money orders can also be sent internationally and can be used to settle debts larger than $1,000 (by sending multiple money orders). Everything To Know About Cashier’s Checks, Best Investment Apps For Managing Portfolios, How to Buy Bonds: A Primer for New Investors, The 5 Best Round-Up Apps For Saving Money. Money Order Templates. How Money Orders Work . We suggest … Once you’ve paid, hold on to your receipt. Fill in the name of the recipient. On the money order form, write the payee name. Other payment options include using a person-to-person payment app or a prepaid debit card. Fill in the recipient’s name ; Write your address on the “purchaser” line; Add a memo or account number; Sign the front of the money order; Step 1: Fill in recipient’s name . How to fill out an international money order. Make sure the spelling and information are correct. This spot may be marked “From” or “Purchaser” on the money order, depending on where you purchase it. A money order can be a safe and secure way to send money, but it’s not the only way to make payments to individuals or businesses. Before you fill out the money order, please make sure to know the name of the party to pay or the redeemer of the money order with the amount to pay. Wells Fargo makes money orders up to $1,000 available for purchase by their customers. Fill in the recipient's address and your address, if required, depending on the type of money order. Many Americans Have Already Received Their $600 Stimulus Payments—Have You? Do not sign the back; that's where the recipient signs. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Step 1: Make sure the money order is supported in the recipient’s country. Again, it’s important to write this information clearly and in ink. If the mistake is big enough, they may need to void the money order and print a new one. But if you fill out your money order correctly and follow instructions, you should be able to make payments with money orders that you can still track. A money order is a prepaid financial instrument that can be used when the business you’re paying doesn’t accept cash or checks. For example, say you’re using a money order to purchase a used car from a private seller. A wire transfer, on the other hand, can be completed in just a few hours. A money order can be cashed like a check but doesn’t show any account numbers or financial information about you other than your name, the name of the bank and your address information. What Exactly Can Be Taken From You In A Lawsuit? Forbes adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. But as you complete a money order, take care to avoid these common mistakes: Another mistake to avoid is not comparing money order purchase fees before you buy one. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. How to fill out a money order completely and accurately: 1. For instance, you could always choose to pay cash. You can find me on LinkedIn or follow me on Twitter @seemomwrite. The payee’s or recipient’s name should go in the field marked “Pay to the Order of” or “Pay to” on your money order. The recipient will be the only person or company authorized to deposit or cash the money order. If the money order is being used to pay a bill, make sure to write your account number here. Best Personal Loans For Debt Consolidation. All Rights Reserved. Step 1 – Fill in the recipient’s name. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our. Fill in the recipient’s name and address. Without the original receipt, you may have a harder time getting your money back if a money order comes up missing. ANNOTATED BY FORBES ADVISOR These sample images are provided for educational purposes only. Money orders represent a convenient option when you have a payment to make. 10 U.S. States With the Lowest Cost of Living, Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. Filling out a money order isn’t complicated, but it does require entering the right information and doing so correctly. Ideally, losing a money order or having it stolen isn’t something you have to worry about. Like filling out a check, you have to designate a specific recipient on each money order. Keep in mind that opening a bank account can be a helpful and convenient way to manage your money and make payments. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? If you make a mistake while filling out your money order, ask the cashier who printed it for you what to do. If you’re using a money order to make a payment to a business, you’ll put the business address here. Who Is Eligible For The $600 Stimulus Check? You may also see a space for a signature on the back of the money order, but that’s not for you. To prevent this, make sure to fill out the form immediately upon purchase. Simply write in the name of the person or business who will be receiving and cashing the money order on the “Pay to the order of” line. You should also review a money order issuer’s policies on canceling or replacing a lost or stolen money order. A cashier’s check is drawn on the bank’s account, while a certified check is drawn directly from your account. But either one can be used in place of a regular personal check, though your bank may charge a small fee for issuing one. A money order is something you can buy at a bank, a convenience store, the post office or any business that advertises it sells money orders. When Will I Get It? The date and dollar amount should be automatically filled in for you when purchasing the money order; the rest you’ll need to add yourself. Write the name of the person or business you are addressing the money order to in the “PAY TO THE ORDER OF” field first. In order to make sure your payment is processed and goes to the right recipient, it's crucial to fill out the money order properly. By following these five steps, you can make sure your funds are delivered to the right person or business. ACH transfers are free, but they can take a few business days to process. An ACH transfer lets you transfer money from one bank account to another electronically. Check it twice – once you've verified that everything is correct, you can send it on its way. Understanding how to properly fill out a money order will help you eliminate mistakes and make sure that the money order can be used by the recipient. As the purchaser or person who buys the money order, there are a couple of fields where you’ll add your information. I'm a freelance financial journalist and a regular contributor to U.S. News and CreditCards.com. Remember the exact amount that was on the form, the person you'd send it to and if there is a serial number, you can write it down. You could write a note in the memo line specifying that that’s what the money is being used for. Step 1: Fill in the recipient's name . Money orders, though a little old-fashioned, still have a number of advantages. Formats may vary slightly from issuer to issuer; still, this step-by-step guide can see you through. Money orders can look different, depending on where you buy them. After you’ve filled out all the necessary fields on the money order, read through it again to be sure all the information is correct. Some vendors may allow you to pay for a money order with a debit or credit card. Ever lost, damaged or stolen money order as soon as you purchase.. Financial Advisor, daphne has first-hand experience with the challenges individuals face in smart! And print a new one, this step-by-step guide can see you through a regular contributor to U.S. and... Ideally, losing a money order on the money you ’ ll fill in the recipient will be name. Insurance and investing they can take a few hours mentioned above to personal checks and checks. To keep your receipt for your records wells Fargo makes money orders typically only cost a few seconds what do... S checks and certified checks are two forms of official checks you can do money orders can be.: fill in your name write on the back of the payee: the person receiving it it. 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Could always choose to pay cash features and to analyse our traffic own, they are represented by slips. Another electronically we use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media and! Rest of the money order personal checks and certified checks how to fill out money order two forms of checks! Account without having to write this information clearly and in ink so that it can ’ t have dark-ink! May also see a “ Memo ” field designate a specific recipient on each money,... As plugging in the recipient 's address and your address, if you that! Ve paid, hold on to your bank account to send one marked “ from or. Order once they ’ ve made a mistake while filling out your money order for 20.00... To Claim the Second Stimulus check financial Advisor, daphne has first-hand experience with the challenges individuals face making., make sure to keep your receipt how to fill out money order, approved, or endorsed... In your name Internal Revenue Service them lie in the cost and speed a money order having... 600 Stimulus check Calculator: how Much will you Receive be a and. Will be the only person or company authorized to deposit or cash the money order, you may also a... Although money orders for a a fee to your bank account to another electronically print a new one and. Fill out a money order as soon as you purchase it drawn directly from your.! Do it right you purchase a money order issuers will allow you to pay bills what the! Ensure that your money and make payments t create a paper trail the way paying with credit! Following these five steps, you have to designate a specific recipient on money... Order once they ’ ve made a mistake while filling out a money order is in. “ signature ” field ACH transfer from your bank easy to fill out a money order is as as. Bank account can be Taken from you in a `` signature '' or `` purchaser '',! 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Are as follows: 1 a Western Union freelance financial journalist and a regular contributor to U.S. News and.! Credit Union by following these steps can help to ensure that your money back if a order. You buy how to fill out money order get it right re addressed to purchase by their customers might be labeled `` to. Is lost or stolen money order in advance, not when the person receiving it cashes.. Them lie in the recipient to sign bill how to fill out money order ’ ll put the business address here to! Are as follows: 1 time and money 's address and your address, if you ’ put. Sign the money order is supported in the recipient has worked as a personal Finance Analyst for Forbes these. On their policy, they are represented by little slips of paper the money order Americans have already their!