Steps to fill out a money order: Quick summary
Follow these five simple steps for filling out a money order:
Fill in the recipient's name.
Write your address in the purchaser section.
Include your account number if you're paying a bill.
Sign where it says "purchaser's signature."
Keep your receipt.
5 steps to fill out a money order
Figuring out how to write a money order can be confusing, but it's essential that you do it correctly. By following these five steps, you can make sure your funds are delivered to the right person or business.
1. Fill in the recipient’s name
Write the name of the person or business that will receive the money order on the line that starts with "Pay to the Order Of."
The recipient will be the only person or company authorized to deposit or cash the money order. It's a good idea to fill out this section as soon as possible to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands, and make sure to spell the name correctly so your recipient will have no problem cashing it.
2. Write your address in the purchaser section
You're the purchaser, so your information goes in this section, which might also be labeled “from,” “remitter” or “sender.” This is required so the recipient knows how to contact you if there are questions or issues with the payment. Sometimes your full name is also required.
3. Include your account number if you're paying a bill
Some money orders have a “payment for/account number” field. If you’re paying a utility bill, for example, include your utility department account number (which you should be able to find on your bill) in this field. Providing your specific account number helps make sure the payment goes toward what you owe on your account.
4. Sign the bottom where it says 'purchaser’s signature'
Your signature is important here, because it makes the money order official. Your signature goes on the front of the money order. Don't sign the back. That area is for the person who receives it.
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5. Keep your receipt
Your receipt will come as a detachable part of the money order you just filled out. You might also receive a separate receipt from the cashier when you buy the money order. Keep your receipt as your proof of payment and store it in a safe place. If you lose a money order or make a mistake filling it out, you may be able to cancel it and get your money back if you take certain steps. The receipt will provide helpful information in such a situation.
When you know how to fill out a money order correctly, you have a good option for transferring money. Unlike writing a check from a personal bank account or handing over cash, a money order gives you proof of payment and assures the recipient that the funds are guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
Whose address do you put on a money order?
If you’re sending a money order, you’ll need to put your own address in the purchaser section. This section might be labeled “from,” “remitter” or “sender” rather than “purchaser.”
What are the steps for how to fill out a MoneyGram money order?
To fill out any money order — including a MoneyGram money order, a Western Union money order or a Chase money order — follow five simple steps:
Fill in the recipient's name.
Write your address in the purchaser section.
Include your account number if you're paying a bill.
Sign where it says "purchaser's signature."
Keep your receipt.
FAQs
Fill in the recipient and your address; for bills, include an account number; sign it; keep proof of payment. Margarette Burnette is a NerdWallet authority on savings, who has been writing about bank accounts since before the Great Recession.
How do you fill out a money order step by step? ›
To fill out a money order, fill in the name of the recipient, write your address, write your account or order number, sign the money order, and then keep the receipt. Money orders don't include your bank account information, which helps keep those details safe.
Whose address goes on a money order? ›
Fill in your address where the money order asks for the purchaser's address. There may be a second address field for filling in the address of the payee. If so, you'll want to fill that out as well.
What does a money order look like? ›
A Money Order is printed out with the dollar amount of its value only. All other items are left blank. A purchased money order is like a signed check; it is the responsibility of the purchaser to enter in who the money order is payable to (otherwise, anyone can cash it).
Can I write in amount on a money order? ›
The clerk will printed that amount on the order. You don't have to write the amount of the money order in, but you should make sure it's correct. Payee: The first line of the money order usually reads “Pay to the order of” or “Pay to.” Here, write the name of the person or business you'll send the order to.
Do I fill out the front of a money order? ›
You—the purchaser—sign the line on the front of the money order. The endorsem*nt line on the back of the document is for the recipient to sign before cashing it. Once you've filled out the money order, you can give or send it to the intended recipient. They should be able to cash or deposit it at their bank.
What is money order process? ›
You pay the value of money order and any associated fees when you get it. Then, you send the money order to your intended recipient. They take it to their bank or another place that cashes money orders to exchange the money order for cash. Depending upon where they cash it, there may be a fee to cash the money order.
What if I wrote the wrong address on a money order? ›
Take the money order back to the place you purchased it and get it refunded. If you have already sent the money order to the wrong person you are probably out of luck. You can try to contact the person before the money order is cashed asking them not to cash it because you made a mistake.
How do I cash a money order made out to someone else? ›
The original payee must sign the money order over to you before you can cash a money order that's made out to someone else. The process is the same as signing over a check. The payee must sign their name and write "Pay to the order of [your first and last name]" on the endorsem*nt line on the back of the money order.
Do money orders go in an envelope? ›
Mail a money order just like you would a check. Place the money order in an envelope, include the recipient's address and your return address on the front and apply postage. Alternatively, you can hand over a money order in person.
Filling Out a Money Order
Print the name and address of the recipient on the "Pay to" and "Address" lines. Print your full name and address on the "From" and "Address" lines. Copy your account number or write the purpose of the money on the memo line. Sign your name on the front of the money order.
Does Walmart require ID for money orders? ›
Do I need ID? For purchases over $1,000, a valid government-issued photo ID is required.
Can I fill out a money order at home? ›
Money orders are not available on the Internet. Unlike electronic money transfers, money orders must be purchased in person. Find your nearest Western Union office and one of our agents will be happy to process your money order and help you fill it out correctly.
Can I fill out a money order with a pen? ›
You'll want to fill out each line of your money order with a pen in large and legible letters. As with personal checks, the first line on a money order will be the "Payee" field. It's important that you fill out your recipient's name accurately here.
Who is the payee on a money order? ›
The payee is the party that receives the money you're sending via money order. This could be a person, if you're making a cash payment to an individual. Or it could be the name of a business, if you're using the money order to pay a bill.
How do I fill out a money order from the IRS? ›
Make it payable to the United States Treasury and provide your name, address, daytime phone number, taxpayer identification number, tax year, and form or notice number (for example, 2023 Form 1040) on the front of your payment.
Can a money order have two names on it? ›
A money order completed by the purchaser to show more than one firm or person as payee is paid to either payee if the conjunction “or” is used to connect the payees. If no conjunction is used, or if the conjunction “and” is used to connect the payees, then all the listed payees must endorse the money order.
