How To Cash A Usps Money Order

It's possible to get a money order refund from the issuer, whether you originally purchased the money order from a bank, credit union, post office, Amscot branch, MoneyGram agent, or Western Union agent.

The process varies by the issuer but usually involves either visiting the issuing location or filing a claim by mail, email, or fax.

Before requesting a money order refund, you should make sure the money order hasn't been cashed by someone else; you can do this by tracking the money order.

Note that if the money order you have is still blank, you can make it out to yourself or write "not used for intended purpose" on the endorsement line, and then sign it. You can then deposit the money order into your bank account or cash it at a business that cashes money orders.

Since requesting a money order refund usually requires you to pay a fee, cashing the money order is a better option when available.

However, if you already gave the money order to someone else, filled it out, or lost it, you'll have to go through an issuer-specific refund request process.

You shouldn't attempt to alter or correct it before requesting a refund. If you filled the money order out but no longer plan to give it to the recipient, don't cross out their name and write your own; this will make the money order ineligible for cashing.

Refund Process by Issuer

Below, we detail the refund process for each major money order issuer. Find out more about money orders and how they work in our money order FAQ.

MoneyGram

Receipt required? Yes, if possible; MoneyGram may be able to help you without the receipt, but it will delay processing.^[1]
Refund method: Check or replacement money order^[1]
Processing time: 15 to 20 days^[1]
Cost: $18^[1]
How to request a refund: Fill out a Money Order Claim Card and attach your receipt/stub if available. Send the completed form and your $18 processing fee to MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. at PO Box 610, Minneapolis, MN 55480. If the money order has already been cashed, you'll receive a photocopy rather than a refund.^[1] Be sure to make copies of any documents you submit for your records. You can check the status of your request using the money order's serial number.

Western Union

Receipt required? No^[2]
Refund method: Check^[2]
Processing time: Anywhere from 30 days to eight weeks^[2]
Cost: $15 with receipt or $30 without receipt^[2]
How to request a refund: You can request a refund by email to RMO@westernunion.com or by fax at (720) 864-0477.^[2] Use the Money Order Customer Request form ($15 fee) if you have your receipt and the Money Order Research Request form ($30 fee) if you don't. Include any documentation you have of the money order, such as the original (uncashed) money order or the receipt. Be sure to make copies of any documents you submit for your own records.

United States Postal Service (USPS)

Receipt required? Yes^[3]
Refund method: Replacement money order^[3]
Processing time: Up to 60 days^[3]
Cost: $6.25^[3]
How to request a refund: If you have the blank money order, you can fill it out to yourself and cash it. If the money order was lost, stolen, or you've already filled it out to someone else, visit any U.S. Post Office with the original receipt and ask an associate to start a Money Order Inquiry. Once the USPS confirms the money order lost or stolen, it will issue a replacement money order, which you can then fill out to yourself and cash.^[3]

Amscot

Receipt required? Yes^[4]
Refund method: Check^[5]
Processing time: Up to six weeks^[5]
Cost: $12^[5]
How to request a refund: At least 30 days after the original purchase date, submit a Money Order Claim Form along with the money order stub (if available) and the $12 processing fee as a money order or cashier's check. Visit an Amscot branch to submit your request or send all materials to Amscot Money Order Company at PO Box 25137, Tampa, FL 33622.^[5] ^[4]

Banks & Credit Unions

Individual banks and credit unions that sell money orders set their own policies and processes for refunds, so it's best to contact the institution where you bought the money order for instructions.

Receipt requirements, refund methods, processing time, and costs vary by the institution.

As noted above, if you have the original, uncashed money order and it isn't filled out, you can fill it out to yourself and cash it.

Otherwise, you'll need to visit the issuing bank or credit union, bringing your receipt and any other proof of purchase (if available), and ask a teller to issue a stop payment for the money order.^[6] ^[7]

https://www.moneygram.com/us/en/Documents/NXT/Claim-Card-English-final.pdf[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
https://wucare.westernunion.com/s/article/How-do-I-request-a-money-order-refund?language=en_US[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
https://www.usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm[↩][↩][↩][↩][↩]
https://www.amscot.com/free-money-orders.aspx[↩][↩]
https://www.amscot.com/resources/MoneyOrderClaimForm819EN.pdf[↩][↩][↩][↩]
Chase customer service (800) 935-9935[↩]
Fifth Third Bank customer service (866) 671-5353[↩]