Now more than ever consumers are having to consider safety when making purchases or sending money. In the past, it was not uncommon to make large purchases with cash or use checks, but our spending culture has changed. According to the FDIC, 25 percent of Americans are underbanked or prefer to use no bank at all to manage their funds. However, this does not alleviate the need to have a safe secure way to send money, document, track purchases, or have access to alternative methods of payment.

In Short, Money Orders Provide:

• Direct payment. There are no checking accounts involved.
• An easy, cashable, protected method of sending money to others.
• Guaranteed funds! Money orders cannot bounce, creating financial security.
• A trackable method of spending.
• Verified proof of payment.
• The customer with a check like option that some businesses may require.
• Assurance without the need for checking accounts.
• Easy access! Once you know where to look, obtaining a Money order is not difficult to do. 

What You Will Need

While every establishment is different, you will likely need to have the following to obtain a money order:

• Identification or verified proof of your identity
• Your information
• Payee name and address
• Cash or debit card for purchase

Most money orders have a limit to how much you can buy, with the option of purchasing multiple money orders if you need to go over the allotted amounts. Just remember, most establishments will charge you a fee per check and not transaction. Also, it is good to be aware that most money orders cannot be purchased with credit cards unless you get a cash advance first.

Although everyone from gas stations, retailers, to grocery stores offer money orders, you may not know where to find them.

15 Best Places To Get A Money Order

1. Walmart

Walmart is everywhere! From cities to rural communities, Walmart operates over 5,000 shopping centers in North America, making it one of the easiest, most affordable options for obtaining a money order on this list. They even offer store-to-store services, which alleviate the money order fee if you are sending money and are willing to have the payee pick it up in their location.

• Type: MoneyGram
• Limit: $1,000
• Fee: $0.88 (fees vary depending on location)

2. United States Postal Service (USPS)

Yes! Your local post office can help you send and purchase money orders. Aside from being accessible, USPS is highly regulated and considered a trusted, safe issuer. However, unlike most establishments who use MoneyGram or Western Union, the USPS issues their own. Please consider the purchasing agreement or ask your payee of their preference. Some places may restrict the type of money order they will accept to MoneyGram or Western Union. Moreover, some banks or money order cashiers may not honor money orders that are not bank, Western Union, or MoneyGram specific.  

• Type: USPS
• Limit: $1,000
• Fee: $1.25-$1.75
• Military Discount Fee: $0.45

3. 7-Eleven

Believe it or not, your number one go to for rehydration offers financial services to its patrons. Not only are 7-Eleven’s located in nearly every city across America, but they operate at less capacity than traditional businesses such as the USPS or Walmart, making obtaining money orders easier and without waiting.

• Type: MoneyGram or Western Union
• Limit: $500
• Fee: $0.65 minimum or 3% of total purchased

4. Rite Aid

It may not be widely known, but Rite Aid supplies money orders to their customers. Rite Aid is an accessible, drugstore that offers a small variety of select retail and grocery items. With stores in over 19 states, they are easy to find and provide reputable services.

• Type: Western Union
• Limit: $500
• Fee: $.99
• Considerations: cash only (no debit or credit cards are accepted)

5. Fred Meyer

Fred Meyer and many other Kroger affiliates (QFC, City Market, Dillions, etc.) offer money orders to their customers through their Customer Service Center. With thousands of stores across America, there are many options and locations to choose from. However, rates vary by location, so the below is an average approximation. Feel free to contact your store directly if you need further clarification.

• Type:  Western Union
• Limit: $500-$1,000 depending on location
• Fee: $0.88

6. Meijer

With over 240 stores throughout the Midwest and some of the lowest fees in the nation, Meijer is one location you may want to consider if you are looking for a money order.

• Type: Western Union
• Limit: $500
• Fee: $0.65
• Restrictions: Meijer issues money orders only. They do not cash out money orders at any of their locations.

7. Royal Farms

If you live on the east coast, you may want to consider one of 214 Royal Farms grocers for your money order. However, take into consideration that while their locations may be accessible, Royal Farms offers low maximums and charges one of the highest fees for service on this list.

• Type: MoneyGram
• Limit: $300
• Fee: $1.50
• Considerations: cash only (no debit or credit cards are accepted for money orders).

8. CVS

Like Rite Aid, CVS offers money orders upon request. CVS pharmacies are located across the country and often found inside of Target and are partnered with Walmart. Please locate your local stores to find specific information on their money order policy.

• Type: MoneyGram
• Limit: $500
• Fee: $0.99

9. Giant

With 214  locations dispersed on the east coast, Giant Food and Pharmacy offers money orders with high maximums. Fees and maximums may vary by location, please contact your closest customer service department for further information.

• Type: Western Union
• Limit: $1,000
• Fee: $2 (depending on location)
• Considerations: there are others on this list that offer the same service with much lower fees.

10. Publix

Publix is a popular grocer chain dispersed all over the southern region of the United States. With over 1,200 locations, Publix offers easy access to money order services. However, Publix does not cash money orders, and this service is currently not available at all Greenwise Market locations.

• Type: Western Union
• Limit: $500
• Fee: $0.85
• Considerations: Publix does not cash money orders. Money orders are not available at Greenwise Market location

11. Albertsons

Albertsons is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the US. With over 2,200 stores in operation across 35 states the likeliness you have access to one of their service centers is high. Moreover, because Albertsons issues money orders regularly across the nation, they offer efficient, quick, and trusted assistance.

• Type: Western Union
• Limit: $500
• Fee: $0.89

12. Safeway

Under the same umbrella corporation of Albertsons, Safeway is a widespread, food and drug retailer that offers money orders to its customers. Often posted in rural communities, it provides access to those who have limited options. Furthermore, Safeway offers some of the lowest fees for services found and is a trusted, Western Union agent.

• Type: Western Union
• Limit: $500
• Fee: $0.59
  Considerations: fees may vary depending on location. Cash is preferred but some locations may take debit card. Safeway will not cash money orders.

13. MoneyTree

Located throughout the Pacific Northwest, California, and Nevada, MoneyTree Personal Business and Financial Services is  worth consideration. Offering a wide variety of financial options to customers who need all the services of a bank without the commitment, MoneyTree prides themselves on being quick, customer driven, and fitting the needs of their niche customer. Not only is MoneyTree a trusted, Western Union agent, who charges less than average fees for service, but they offer money orders for free to those who are cashing a check or making a loan transaction.

• Type: Western Union
• Limit: $1,000
• Fee: depends on state and location

14. Credit Unions

Credit Unions are nonprofit banking establishments that feature customer forward financial services. Although not all unions issue money orders to non-customers, some do, and they are worth considering if you are wanting the assurance of a bank behind your money order. Keep in mind that credit unions fees can be higher than most established on this list.

• Type: Credit Union specific
• Limit: $1,000
• Fee: varied, but can extend upwards toward $6.00 or more

15. Local Banks

Unlike credit unions, Banks are for profit institutions that offer a wide variety of financial services to the public, to include money orders. Often, if you are a client, money orders are offered at a free or discounted rate. Some banks may not issue money orders to nonclients, but many do. Similarly, like Credit Unions, their fee could be considerably larger than those listed above.

• Type: bank specific
• Limit: usually $1,000 but could vary
• Fee: varies but could be considerably higher than those listed for nonclients

Who Cashes Money Orders?

If you are looking to cash a money order, many banks, cash stores, and grocery retailers will assist you with this transaction.

If you have a bank account, money orders can be cashed at a discounted fee or at no cost at your bank. Also, most ATM’s will cash out money orders. If you are not affiliated with a bank, banks will cash your check for a fee that could range $10 or more. Otherwise, most customer service departments located in grocers, or cash stores, like MoneyTree, are available to assist.

To answer this specifically, it is best to search for “Money Orders Near Me” to find out what options are available to you.

Friendly Reminder

As always, it is important to exercise due diligence when searching for money order establishments. Those listed above are trusted agents, but some outlets offering money order services may not be. Therefore, it is important to stick to the two most common “Western Union” and “Money Gram” with the exception being “Bank/USPS affiliated” orders. Always check to see what the payee prefers, and never pay more than an amount you are comfortable with. Be sure the institution who is handing your transaction is a reputable, trusted servicer, with a long history of overseeing financial transactions.

Great Questions to Ask Before You Purchase a Money Order:

• Am I paying more than the fees on this list?
• How long has this company been in business?
• Are they trusted and reputable servicers?
• If they are not affiliated with the postal service or bank, are they Western Union or MoneyGram?

Money Orders Provide Safety and Peace of Mind  

Money orders create safe, trackable, smooth transactions for those without a checking account, do not use checks or rely on the banking system, and need an alternative to cash transactions. In addition, they protect the payer and sender throughout the process and provide peace of mind and assurance to all parties involved. Money orders are a viable solution and should be considered whenever you need greater financial security.