Chase does not sell money orders at its branches or online
Chase stopped offering money orders years ago and does not issue them through any channel—not at the teller window, not through the mail, not through its website or mobile app. If you need a money order, you will have to get one somewhere else.
This matters because money orders are still the payment method some landlords, utilities, and government agencies require or prefer. They work like a may provide check: you pay the full amount upfront plus a fee, and the recipient can cash it with confidence that the funds are real. But Chase is simply not in that business anymore.
The good news is that money orders are widely available and usually cheap. You have several fast, reliable options that do not require a Chase account or even a bank account at all.
Key Takeaways
- Chase does not issue money orders at branches, by mail, or online, and has not for several years.
- Walmart, the U.S. Postal Service, and most grocery stores sell money orders for $1 to $3 per order.
- Money orders require you to pay the full amount in cash or debit at the time of purchase—no credit cards.
- You can walk into most locations and walk out with a money order in minutes without a bank account.
Where to buy a money order instead
Walmart is usually the fastest and cheapest option. Most Walmart locations sell money orders at the customer service desk for around $0.88 per order, up to $1,000 per order. You can buy multiple orders if you need more than $1,000. You pay in cash or debit card, and the process takes about five minutes. No account required.
The U.S. Postal Service sells money orders at every post office. The fee is $1.45 for orders up to $500 and $1.95 for orders from $500.01 to $1,000. You can pay in cash, debit, or check. Post offices have longer hours than banks at many locations, and some are open on Saturday.
Grocery stores and supermarkets—including Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and regional chains—sell money orders at the customer service counter or checkout. Fees typically run $1 to $2 per order. Hours are usually longer than banks, and many are open seven days a week.
Check-cashing stores and payday lenders sell money orders, though their fees are often higher ($2 to $5 per order). Use these only if other options are closed or too far away.
What you need to buy a money order
You need the exact amount you want to send, plus the fee. Money orders are prepaid, so if you want to send $500, you pay $500 plus $1 to $2 in fees at the time of purchase. You cannot use a credit card—only cash or debit.
You will fill out a short form with the recipient's name and address. Bring a photo ID if you are buying an order over $1,000, though most people buy smaller amounts and do not need one. You do not need a bank account, a Chase account, or any prior relationship with the seller.
The seller will give you the original money order to mail or hand to the recipient, and you will get a receipt for your records. Keep the receipt until the recipient confirms they received and cashed it.
How money orders compare to other payment methods
A money order is safer than cash because it has a specific recipient's name on it and a tracking number. It is slower than a bank transfer or debit card payment because it has to be mailed or hand-delivered and then deposited or cashed by the recipient. It costs more than a free bank transfer but less than a wire transfer.
If the recipient accepts checks, a personal check is free but takes longer to clear and offers less protection if it bounces. If the recipient accepts digital payments, a bank transfer through your Chase account (if you have one) is free and instant. A money order is the middle ground: cheap, may provide, and widely accepted by people and organizations that do not take digital payments.
What to do if you need to cancel or replace a money order
If you bought a money order and need to cancel it—because you sent it to the wrong address, lost it, or changed your mind—contact the issuer (Walmart, the post office, or your grocery store) with your receipt. They can put a stop on the money order if it has not been cashed yet.
The process takes time. Walmart typically requires you to wait 30 days before they will refund you, to make sure the money order was not cashed. The post office has a similar waiting period. If the money order was already cashed, you cannot get the money back—the recipient has it. This is why money orders are final: once cashed, they cannot be reversed like a credit card charge or a bank transfer can be.
Tracking a money order you sent
When you buy a money order, you get a receipt with a tracking number. If the recipient says they never got it, you can use that number to check whether it was cashed. The post office and Walmart both allow you to look up the status of a money order online or by calling customer service.
If the money order was cashed but the recipient claims they did not receive it, the money order company can tell you who cashed it and when. That information can help you track down what happened. If it was lost in the mail, you can file a claim with the post office (if you used USPS) or contact Walmart's customer service for a refund or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order online and have it mailed to me?
No. Money orders must be purchased in person at a physical location. You cannot order one online and have it delivered. You have to go to Walmart, a post office, or a grocery store, pay in cash or debit, and walk out with the money order in hand.
What if I do not have cash or a debit card?
Most money order sellers accept debit cards. If you have a Chase debit card, you can use it at Walmart or the post office. If you do not have a debit card or cash, you can withdraw cash from a Chase ATM or ask a teller at any Chase branch to give you cash from your account.
Can I use a credit card to buy a money order?
No. Money order sellers do not accept credit cards. You must pay in cash or debit. Some people use a credit card to get cash from an ATM, then use that cash to buy a money order, but that costs extra in ATM fees and cash advance fees.
How long does it take for a money order to be cashed?
Once the recipient receives the money order, they can cash it at their bank or at a check-cashing store. Most banks deposit it like a check, which takes one to three business days. The recipient could also cash it immediately at a check-cashing store, though they may pay a small fee.
Is a money order safer than mailing a check?
Yes. A money order is may provide by the issuer (Walmart, the post office, or the bank behind it), so if it is lost or stolen, you can stop payment and get a refund. A personal check can bounce or be forged. A money order cannot bounce because you already paid the full amount when you bought it.