If your recipient doesn’t accept personal checks, or you're paying a government fee that requires certified payment — it’s situations like these where a money order might work. It’s a fairly simple process, but the unfamiliarity makes you nervous about messing something up. We’ve prepped this guide to help you understand:
- What are money orders?
- Where are money orders used?
- Where to buy and what you need
- Filling out the steps that prevent rejection
- Tracking and replacement procedures
- How they compare to bank drafts & e-transfers
Let’s dive right in, shall we?
What is a money order?
A money order is a secure, prepaid paper document used as a form of payment, similar to a check. Unlike a personal check, a money order cannot bounce because the funds are paid up front when the money order is purchased — guaranteed by the institution issuing it.
Organizations like USPS, Canada Post, Western Union, or your bank guarantee the funds. Unlike personal checks that can bounce, money orders can't fail because the money's already been collected.
Canada Post money orders max out at $999.99 per order with a flat $8.50 fee, and you'll need cash or debit plus a government-issued photo ID to purchase one. The recipient can cash it for free at any post office. The document only names one payee, and that person needs a valid ID to cash it. Your bank account details stay private since nothing about your personal banking appears on the form.
Money orders serve specific needs. If you don't have a checking account, you can still make secure payments using cash. Your sensitive banking information never gets shared with the recipient (helpful when paying someone you barely know). Every purchase comes with a receipt containing a unique serial number — proof you made the payment. Lost money orders can be replaced if you kept the receipt, though processing takes around 45 days.
Where can you buy a money order?
Money orders are sold at more locations than most people realize.
Post offices
Every full-service post office location in North America issues money orders. USPS limits domestic money orders to $1,000 and charges around $1.45 to $1.95 per order. Canada Post caps theirs at $999.99 CAD with an $8.50 fee. Both postal services have decades of trust behind them, and their money orders get accepted almost everywhere.
Banks and credit unions
Most financial institutions sell money orders to customers and non-customers alike (fees vary). Canadian banks like Scotiabank, CIBC, BMO, TD, and RBC all offer them. Some waive fees for account holders. You can pay directly from your account instead of bringing cash. For transactions exceeding $1,000, banks issue bank drafts instead (RBC charges $9.95 per draft).
Retail and money transfer locations
Your local Walmart, grocery store, or convenience shop probably sells money orders:
- CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens
- Gas stations (7-11, QuikTrip)
- Grocery chains (Safeway, Kroger)
- Western Union and MoneyGram agent locations
- Walmart (Customer Service Desk): ~$1 per order, powered by Western Union
Retailers often have extended hours, giving you flexibility outsidbanking hours.
What do you need to purchase a money order?
Come prepared with three things:
- ID
- Payment
- Recipient details
Cash works everywhere — hand over the amount plus the fee, done. Debit cards are accepted at most locations. Credit cards get rejected (issuers treat money orders as cash advances with immediate interest at higher rates). If buying from your bank, you can withdraw directly from your account.
Bring government-issued photo ID like a driver's license or passport. When clerks sell $3,000 or more in money orders during a single transaction (even split across multiple orders), FINTRAC regulations require identity verification. Know the recipient's full legal name spelled exactly as it appears on their ID — double-check before purchasing.
How do you fill out a money order correctly?
Fill out your money order immediately after purchasing — before leaving the counter. A blank money order is like carrying cash.
The "Pay to the Order of" line gets the recipient's full legal name. Use a pen (never a pencil) and write legibly. Below that, add your name and address in the purchaser section. The memo line is optional — write an account number if paying bills, "gift" for family, or leave it blank. Make sure that you sign only in the purchaser's signature area on the front. The back is for the recipient's endorsement when cashing. Mistakes that cause rejection:
- Signing the back (recipient-only area)
- Leaving required fields blank
- Using a pencil instead of a pen
- Illegible handwriting
Canada Post money orders include security features like gold maple leaf holograms and polarized images — tilt the document to verify (helps recipients spot counterfeits).
What are the different ways to send a money order?
After filling out your money order, you need to get it to the recipient.
Mail delivery
Place the completed money order in an envelope, address it properly, add postage, and send it off. Canada Post domestic delivery typically takes 2 to 4 business days. For extra security, send via certified mail or with tracking — you'll get proof of delivery and peace of mind. Make sure you never mail cash, as it can't be traced, replaced, or tracked.
Hand delivery
Deliver the money order in person if you're meeting the recipient anyway. They can cash or deposit it immediately without waiting for the mail. Hand delivery works perfectly for paying rent to your landlord or settling local transactions.
How can you track a money order?
Your receipt is your lifeline for tracking and proving payment.
Using your receipt
The receipt contains a unique serial number that connects to the issuer's records. Keep it until the money order gets cashed. If someone claims they never received payment, this receipt proves you purchased a money order for that amount to that specific payee.
Checking status
Contact the issuer with your serial number to check if the money order's been cashed:
- USPS — Online tracking or customer service phone line
- Banks — Internal system checks using your serial number
- Canada Post — Money Order Verification Service for disputes
Most issuers charge around $5-7 for formal verification requests, though quick phone inquiries are often free.
What happens if your money order is lost or stolen?
Losing a money order doesn't mean losing your money, but recovery requires patience.
Replacement process
Contact the issuer immediately if your money order goes missing. You'll need your original receipt (with the serial number), proof of purchase, and a valid ID. They'll verify the money order hasn't been cashed and start an investigation.
Processing typically takes 30 to 45 days. The issuer confirms no one has deposited or cashed it before issuing a replacement or refund. Replacement fees vary — some charge $15-30, others waive the fee depending on circumstances.
Cancellation before cashing
Catch the problem fast (wrong payee name, changed your mind), and you can request cancellation. Bring the original receipt, ID, and the physical money order if you still have it. The issuer verifies the serial number hasn't been processed and voids it within a few business days. You'll likely face a cancellation fee, but recover most of your money.
Can you send money orders internationally?
International money orders have become increasingly limited across North America.
Current limitations
USPS stopped issuing international money orders after September 2024. As of October 1, 2025, they also stopped cashing international money orders entirely. Countries including Albania, Belize, Bolivia, and Peru stopped accepting USPS international money orders around the same time. Before the service ended, USPS capped international money orders at $700 per order (lower for certain countries like El Salvador and Guyana at $500).
Canada Post has similarly scaled back. Their postal money orders were designed primarily for domestic Canadian use, and while they were once popular for cross-border transfers (especially to the US), Canada Post now limits international money order availability. Whether a destination accepts them varies by country — check the specific destination page before relying on them.
Where they're still available
Major Canadian banks may still offer international money orders or bank drafts for cross-border payments. Call your branch before visiting to confirm availability. Western Union and MoneyGram continue handling international money order transactions through their agent networks.
Before purchasing any international money order, verify that the destination country accepts it. Some countries have strict requirements (Japan Post requires specific pink and yellow paper with the exact wording "international postal money order").
Better alternatives exist
International money orders charge higher fees, move more slowly (relying on physical mail), and face growing restrictions. Wire transfers and SWIFT transfers are complete within the same day to five business days. Banks charge $25-80+ per wire, but speed often justifies the cost.
Specialized remittance services like RemitBee provide better rates for regular transfers to family abroad. Moreover, digital platforms like Wise and PayPal offer lower costs than traditional wires and faster delivery than mailing money orders.
How do money orders compare to other payment methods?
Money orders cap at $1,000 and cost $1-10. Bank drafts have no limit and run $10-15 (RBC charges $9.95). Both offer guaranteed payment — use money orders for smaller amounts, drafts for large purchases.
E-transfers (Interac, Zelle) require bank accounts for both parties. Money orders don't—buy with cash, the recipient cashes without banking. E-transfers arrive in minutes (often free domestically). Money orders take 2-4 days by mail and always cost a fee.
Choose money orders when:
- Privacy matters
- No checking account
- Payee won't accept e-transfers
- You need a guaranteed payment of under $1,000
- Paying government fees (passport fees to the Receiver General for Canada)
Choose bank drafts for transactions exceeding $1,000 or high-value purchases requiring bank-issued instruments. Choose e-transfers for speed when both parties bank domestically and convenience matters most.
Send money internationally with clarity via RemitBee
Money orders serve domestic transactions well, but their international limitations have become clear. When sending money to family abroad, you need speed, transparency, and fair rates — not 30-day mail delivery and service discontinuations.
RemitBee provides:
- Real-time tracking and rate alerts
- FINTRAC regulated, fully compliant
- Zero fees on transfers over $500 CAD
- Most transactions arrive within minutes
- Transparent FX margins (0.3-0.8% by corridor)
- Multiple payment options (EFT, Interac e-Transfer, bill payment, debit card)
Send to 100+ countries (India, Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Mexico)
Download RemitBee and see exactly how much your family receives before you send.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about how to send a money order:
Can you buy a money order with a credit card?
Most locations reject credit cards for money order purchases. Card companies treat them as cash advances (triggering immediate interest at higher rates with no grace period). The few accepting credit cards charge extra fees beyond the purchase price.
How long does a money order take to clear?
Money orders don't need clearing time because they're prepaid. Recipients can cash them immediately at the issuing location or deposit them at their bank. Banks may hold deposits for 1-2 business days as fraud prevention, but the money order itself is already guaranteed.
What's the maximum amount you can send on a single money order?
USPS caps domestic money orders at $1,000. Canada Post limits theirs to $999.99 CAD. Most retailers and banks follow similar maximums. Exceeding these limits requires multiple money orders or switching to bank drafts.
Do money orders expire?
USPS money orders never expire — you can cash one from years ago if it hasn't been cashed already. Other issuers may charge dormancy fees after 1-3 years of inactivity, slowly reducing the value. Check with your specific issuer about their expiration policies.
Can you get a refund on an unused money order?
Yes. Bring the unused money order, receipt with serial number, and valid ID to the issuer. Most charge processing fees ($5-15) and take several weeks to verify it hasn't been cashed elsewhere before issuing your refund.
Are money orders safe to send through regular mail?
Money orders are safer than cash (which can't be tracked or replaced) but carry some risk. The serial number lets you file claims if lost or stolen. For extra security, send via certified mail or with tracking confirmation. Always fill out the money order completely before mailing.
