Where to Get a Money Order Near Me — Every Option, Every Fee

Tap any button to instantly update the map to your neighborhood. Each search is tuned for a specific type of location so you don’t have to scroll past irrelevant results.

Scan these first. Most people find exactly what they need here without reading further.

• 1
  What is the cheapest place to get a money order near me? Walmart: under $1 (max $1,000) · Kroger: $0.84–$0.88 · Meijer: $0.65 (Midwest only) · USPS: $2.35 up to $500, $3.40 up to $1,000 · CVS: $1.25 (max $500)

  For most people, Walmart is the cheapest and most accessible option — fees are capped at $1, the limit is $1,000 per money order, and there are over 4,600 stores nationwide. Kroger and its affiliated brands (King Soopers, Fred Meyer, Smith’s) are similarly priced and accept debit cards. If you need the gold standard of security and don’t mind paying a little more, USPS money orders are federally backed and can be replaced through a formal government process if lost — something no retail money order offers. CVS and 7-Eleven cost more per order and top out at $500, which means two trips if you need more than that amount.
• 2
  Can I get a money order with a debit card instead of cash? Yes at Walmart, Kroger, Meijer, 7-Eleven, and some USPS locations · No at CVS (cash only) · Never with a credit card — that would be a cash advance with steep fees

  Most major retailers now accept debit cards for money order purchases, which is helpful if you don’t want to carry that much cash. Walmart accepts debit at its Money Center and Customer Service desks. Kroger, Meijer, and most 7-Eleven locations also allow debit. CVS is the notable exception — their MoneyGram money orders require cash payment. Credit cards are not accepted anywhere for money orders, because the card networks treat the transaction as a cash advance, which triggers immediate interest and a cash advance fee on top of the money order fee itself. If someone offers to process your money order with a credit card, something is wrong.
• 3
  What do I need to bring to buy a money order? Cash (or debit card) for the face value + fee · Photo ID for purchases over $1,000 (federal rule) · The recipient’s name — you’ll fill it in at the counter · Your own name and address for the purchaser line

  For amounts under $1,000, most locations ask for nothing more than payment. Once you cross $1,000 total in a single day — even across multiple money orders — federal Bank Secrecy Act rules require the location to record your government-issued ID. This isn’t about suspicion; it’s a federal anti-money-laundering compliance requirement that every retailer and post office must follow. Have the recipient’s full legal name ready — you’ll write it in the “Pay to the Order of” field right at the counter. Fill it in completely before leaving the store; an unfilled money order is as risky as carrying cash.
• 4
  Where can I get a money order on a Sunday or late at night? Walmart Supercenters (open 6 a.m.–11 p.m. daily) · 7-Eleven (many open 24 hours) · CVS (many open until midnight or 24 hours) · USPS is closed Sundays at most locations

  The post office is the worst option for weekend or after-hours needs — most USPS locations are closed Sundays and many close by 5 p.m. on weekdays. Walmart Supercenters are open daily until 11 p.m. and their Money Center is typically open during all store hours. 7-Eleven is your best bet late at night or on a Sunday — many locations are open 24 hours, and they sell money orders through MoneyGram or Western Union depending on the store. CVS locations in higher-traffic areas often run until midnight or around the clock. Call your nearest location’s customer service line before making the trip to confirm money order services are available at that specific store — not every branch in a chain offers them.
• 5
  What is the maximum amount for a single money order? $1,000 at Walmart, Kroger, USPS, and most banks · $500 at CVS, 7-Eleven, and Rite Aid · For amounts over $1,000, you buy multiple money orders · USPS international money orders were discontinued in late 2024

  The $1,000 cap is an industry-wide standard that dates back to anti-money-laundering regulations — it’s not a policy a store sets on its own. If you need to send $2,500, you purchase two $1,000 money orders and one $500 money order. Buying multiple is perfectly normal and legal. The total fee is just the per-order fee multiplied by however many you need. Keep in mind: if you’re buying multiple money orders and your total exceeds $3,000 in a single day, you may be asked for ID and to complete additional paperwork — this is standard federal compliance, not cause for concern.
• 6
  How do I track or replace a lost money order? Keep the stub/receipt — it has the serial number you’ll need · USPS replacements: go to any post office with your receipt and $7.25 fee · MoneyGram: call 1-800-542-3590 · Western Union: visit westernunion.com with your receipt

  This is where keeping your stub matters more than almost anything else. The serial number on that receipt is the only way to trace, track, or replace the money order. USPS has the strongest consumer protection here — if your postal money order is lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement at any post office for a $7.25 processing fee, and the government will trace and replace it. MoneyGram and Western Union replacements are also possible but involve a waiting period (typically 10–60 days) and a fee ($15–$20). Walmart money orders purchased there can begin the refund process in-store — but only within 10 days of purchase, and the order must be unaltered and in good condition. Photograph the front of the money order before handing it over to the recipient — if the serial number is readable, you have documentation.
• 7
  How do I fill out a money order correctly? Pay to the Order of: recipient’s full legal name · Purchaser/From: your full name · Address: your address · Memo: what it’s for (rent, invoice #, etc.) · Sign the front — do NOT sign the back (that’s for the recipient when cashing)

  Fill it out completely before you leave the store — never walk out with a blank money order. The most common mistake is leaving the “Pay to” line empty, which turns the paper into something anyone can cash. Write the recipient’s name exactly as it appears on their ID. The memo line is optional but helpful — writing “March rent, Apt 4B” or “Invoice 2026-47” creates a paper trail for both parties. Do not sign the back — that endorsement section belongs to the recipient when they deposit or cash it. If you make a mistake on the slip, don’t scratch it out. Return to the counter and ask for a replacement before leaving the store.
• 8
  Is it safe to mail a money order? Yes, safer than mailing cash — but not risk-free · Use a trackable mailing service if the amount is large · Keep your receipt until you confirm the recipient has received and cashed it · USPS money orders are replaceable if mailed and lost

  Mailing a money order is far safer than mailing cash because a stolen money order can potentially be traced and replaced while cash cannot. That said, USPS First Class mail has no tracking by default — use Certified Mail or Priority Mail with tracking if you’re sending a significant amount. A money order made out to a specific person cannot be cashed by someone else without forging the recipient’s signature, which is a federal crime. USPS money orders are the safest to mail because the government replacement system is the strongest available. Always confirm with the recipient that they received it and will notify you once cashed — that confirmation closes the loop and tells you your payment actually landed.

Fees listed are current standard rates. Call your specific location before visiting, as fees occasionally vary by store.