How to fill out a money order 

A money order is a secure form of payment that can be used as an alternative to cash, a personal check, a cashier’s check or a credit card. Money orders are prepaid, which means they’re guaranteed and don’t bounce like checks can. You might consider using one if you don’t have a bank account or if you’re sending money through the mail. 

Keep reading to find out how to fill out a money order step-by-step. 

What you’ll learn: 

• When filling out your money order, you’ll need to have some basic information, such as the name and address of the person receiving the money order.
• The person buying the money order is referred to as the purchaser, and the person receiving the money order is called the payee.
• You can get money orders from places like banks, credit unions, post offices and grocery stores.
• If you buy a money order with a credit card, it may be considered a cash advance. 

Money orders might look different, depending on where you get them. And they may require slightly different information. As you get started, remember that the payee is the person receiving the money order. The purchaser is the person paying for and sending the money order. 

Here’s some information to have on hand when filling out a money order: 

• Payee’s name 
• Payee’s address 
• Payment amount 
• Purchaser’s name
• Purchaser’s address 
• The account number, the order number or a short description of what the money order is for 

The image below gives you an idea of what a money order might look like and the kind of information you’ll need to fill in. 

Filling out a money order isn’t much different from writing a check. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fill out a money order. 

Put the payee’s name on the line labeled “Pay to the order of” or “Pay to.” This is usually the first line on the money order. Remember, the payee is the person you want to cash the money order. 

Make sure you complete this step first. If you forget to put the payee’s name on the money order and it’s lost or stolen, someone could write in their own name and fraudulently cash it. 

Add your mailing address on the line that asks for the purchaser’s address. This is so the recipient can contact you if there’s an issue when they cash the money order.

The money order may also ask for the payee’s address. Plus, if you’re sending the money order in the mail, you’ll need to know their address anyway. So it’s a good idea to have that information too.

This is a space for any notes you think might be useful to the recipient. You might want to fill in a corresponding account number or order number. Or you could briefly note your reason for sending the money order.

Sign the line on the front of the money order where it asks for the purchaser’s signature. Leave the endorsement line on the back of the money order blank. That’s for the recipient to sign before cashing it.

Make sure to ask for a receipt. The receipt will typically have a tracking number and can be used to cancel the money order if necessary.

Once you’ve filled out a money order, you can give or send it to the intended recipient. They should be able to cash or deposit it at their bank. If that’s not an option, they may be able to cash the money order with the company that issued it. 

You can buy money orders at banks, credit unions, post offices and grocery stores. You can usually use a debit card or cash to buy them. There may be a cap on money order payment amounts. And they may come with fees. 

It’s also important to note that if you use a credit card to buy a money order, it may be considered a cash advance. Cash advances generally come with fees and a higher interest rate than standard credit card purchases do. 

Filling out money orders is similar to filling out a check. Before you fill out a money order, make sure you have all the information you need, such as the payee’s name and address, the payment amount, and any relevant account numbers or order numbers. 

Learn more about when you might need a money order. And see how money orders differ from cashier’s checks.