Yes, most banks issue money orders, but not all of them do, and the process varies by bank and location
If your bank offers money orders, you can walk in during business hours, tell a teller you want one, and walk out with a receipt and the order itself—usually within minutes. You'll pay a fee (typically $5 to $10, depending on the bank and the amount) and the money comes directly from your account. The teller will ask for the recipient's name and the amount, fill out the form, and you sign it. Some banks limit the amount per order—often to $1,000 or $2,500—though you can buy multiple orders if you need to send more.
Not every bank does this. Credit unions are more likely to issue them than large national banks. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase do issue money orders at most branches, but you should call ahead or check your bank's website to confirm your specific branch carries them. If your bank doesn't, you have other options: the post office, Walmart, grocery stores, and check-cashing services all sell money orders, often for less money and sometimes with higher limits.
Key Takeaways
- Most large banks issue money orders for a fee of $5 to $10, and the transaction takes a few minutes at the teller window.
- Credit unions are more likely to offer money orders than national banks, and some branches may not carry them even if the bank does.
- Call your bank or check their website before you go, because availability varies by location and some banks have stopped offering them entirely.
- If your bank doesn't issue money orders, the post office, Walmart, and grocery stores offer them at similar or lower cost.
What happens when you buy a money order at a bank
You approach the teller and say you want a money order. They will ask you for the payee's name (the person or business receiving the money), the amount, and your account information. The teller fills out the form, which includes a stub for your records. You sign the front of the order. The bank deducts the amount plus the fee from your account immediately, just like a withdrawal. You get the money order itself and a receipt showing the transaction number, amount, and fee.
The money order is now a paper instrument that the recipient can cash or deposit at their bank. It functions like a check but with may provide funds—the bank has already taken the money from your account, so there's no risk of it bouncing. The recipient doesn't need to know your personal banking information; they only see the money order itself.
Banks that commonly issue money orders
Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and most regional banks issue money orders, but policies and fees differ. Some branches may not stock them, especially in smaller locations. Credit unions almost always issue money orders to their members, sometimes at lower fees than banks charge.
Before you go to your bank, call the branch directly or log into your online account to confirm they offer them. Many banks have moved away from money orders as fewer people use them, so availability has shrunk. If your bank stopped offering them or your branch doesn't have them in stock, don't assume you're out of options—the post office is usually within a few miles and charges a flat fee of around $1.45 for orders up to $500.
Fees and limits at banks versus other places
| Provider | Typical Fee | Typical Limit | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | $5–$10 | $1,000–$2,500 | Minutes |
| Post Office | $1.45–$2.00 | $1,000 | Minutes |
| Walmart | $0.88–$1.25 | $1,000 | Minutes |
| Check-cashing service | $2–$5 | Varies | Minutes |
Banks charge more than other providers for the same service. If you're sending $500, Walmart will charge you less than a dollar, while your bank might charge $5 or more. The trade-off is convenience—if you're already at your bank, you don't have to go elsewhere. If you're not a customer of that bank, you can't buy a money order there at all.
Bank limits vary. Some cap orders at $1,000; others allow $2,500 or more. If you need to send more than the limit, you buy multiple orders. The post office caps orders at $1,000 per order, so the same rule applies there. Walmart and grocery stores typically max out at $1,000 as well.
When a bank money order makes sense
Use a bank money order if you're already there and the fee doesn't bother you, or if you need a higher limit than other providers offer. Some people prefer banks because they're familiar with them and trust the institution. If you have a checking account at the bank, the money order ties directly to your account, so there's one less place to track the transaction.
A bank money order also makes sense if you need the order to be issued by a specific institution—some landlords or government agencies prefer bank-issued orders over post office or retail versions, though this is rare. In most cases, a money order is a money order regardless of where it came from, and the recipient won't care.
What to do if your bank doesn't issue money orders
Call ahead and ask. If they confirm they don't offer them, your next stop is the post office. USPS money orders cost $1.45 for amounts up to $500 and $2.00 for $500.01 to $1,000. You can buy them at any post office during business hours, and the process is identical to a bank: you provide the payee's name, amount, and sign the order. You get a receipt with a tracking number.
If the post office is inconvenient, Walmart and most grocery stores (Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons) sell money orders for under a dollar. The process is the same, and the money order works exactly like one from a bank. Check-cashing services also issue them, though their fees vary and some require you to be a customer or have an ID on file.
How to track a bank money order if something goes wrong
When you buy a money order at a bank, you receive a receipt with a transaction number or serial number. Keep this receipt. If the money order is lost, stolen, or never cashed by the recipient, you'll need that number to file a claim with the bank.
Contact the bank's customer service and explain what happened. They will ask for the receipt, the amount, the payee's name, and the date you purchased it. The bank can then place a stop on the order (if it hasn't been cashed) or issue a replacement. This process takes days or weeks, not hours. If the order has already been cashed by someone else, recovery is much harder and may not be possible. This is why you should keep your receipt and confirm with the recipient that they received and cashed the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a money order at any branch of my bank?
Not necessarily. Availability varies by branch and location. Some branches may not stock money orders or may have stopped offering them. Call your specific branch before you go, or check your bank's website for a list of branches that issue them.
What if I don't have an account at the bank?
Most banks will not issue a money order to non-customers. You'll need to go to the post office, Walmart, a grocery store, or a check-cashing service instead. These places don't require you to be a customer.
Can I cancel a money order after I buy it?
Yes, but only if it hasn't been cashed. Contact the bank immediately with your receipt and serial number. They will place a stop on the order and may issue a refund minus a cancellation fee (usually $10 to $15). If the order has already been cashed, cancellation is not possible.
Is a bank money order safer than a personal check?
Yes. A money order is may provide because the bank has already taken the money from your account. A check can bounce if your account doesn't have enough funds. The recipient doesn't need to verify your identity or account information with a money order.
How long does it take for a money order to be cashed?
Once the recipient deposits or cashes it, the funds clear within one to three business days, depending on their bank. The money order itself is issued instantly, but the recipient's bank controls how fast the funds appear in their account.