Wondering how to fill out a money order? Fill in the Payee’s Name, add Payee’s Address, put purchase information in the memo line, and sign it at last. That’s all in short.
You can
use a money order when you need to pay bills or send money. It’s one of the
secure payment options you can go with beyond credit cards, cash, or checks.
Although
we described the process of filling out a money
order, we have discussed it in detail throughout this article, that’s worth
knowing. Also, there is some other related information that you need to know.
So,
let’s start!
How To Fill Out A Money Order?
Before
we dive into the filling out steps of a money order, let’s know some topics
that are related to filling out a money order:
Places To Purchase Money
Orders
Money
orders are available in different places. Some of the best options
for purchasing money orders include:
- MoneyGram
- U.S. Postal Service
- Drug stores
- Walmart
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations & convenience stores
- Banks/credit unions
Guidelines
of the minimum and the maximum orderable money say that you can order the
highest $1000 within the
What’s The Required Information By A
Money Order?
Using a
money order is nothing but a prepaid check. As a result, it requires adding
some detailed information to make it valid. The appearance of money orders may
differ depending on where you purchase them.
It
doesn’t matter where you purchase the money orders from, but you need to fill
in the below information to complete them. The information includes:
- Payee name
- Payee’s address
- Date of purchase
- The number of dollars you’re paying
- Your name & address
- Reason for making the payment
After
correctly filling in all essential information, the payee can sign its back.
Then, the payee can deposit or make it cash like a regular check.
Now,
let’s know how to fill up a money order
with ease:
How Do You Fill Out A Money Order
Filling out your money order by providing the required information is very simple. The dollar amount and the date will be filled out automatically. You have to fill in the remaining information on your own.
Knowing how to fill out a money order to yourself will ensure your payee gets the money. Below are the steps to fill out a money order:
1. Filling In the Payee’s (Recipient’s)
Name
The
payee is the recipient of the money you’re going to send throughout a money
order. You can pay cash to a person, or it may be a business name to pay a bill.
So,
fill the receiver’s name in the place marked with ‘Pay to’ or ‘Pay to the Order on the money order. Write the name using an ink pen that can’t be altered
afterwards if stolen or lost.
2. Adding the Payee’s Address
The
field of the payee’s address comes right after the payee’s name. It’s where you
must add the address information of the recipient. If you send money to a
person, you must put their home address here.
Otherwise,
you should put here the business address if you’re paying it for a business.
Again, it’s vital to learn how to
properly fill out a money order. And don’t forget to use an ink pen to fill
in the information a money order requires.
3. Filling With The Purchaser
Information
As
you’re the purchaser of the money order, you need to fill in your personal
information. First, you must fill it with your name after the title marked
‘Purchaser’ or ‘From’ on the money order.
Then,
you must write your address which typically comes under your name.
4. Completing the Memo Line
You’ll find a field named ‘Memo’ on your money order where you have to write the reason for buying this money order. For example, you can say the reason that you’re paying with a money order for car purchase.
Also, you have to mention it in the memo line if you’re
sending the money as a bill adding the account number for this bill you’ll pay
here.
5. Signing It To Finish the Money Order
You’ll
find a field entitled ‘Signature’ that requires signing to complete the process
of filling the money order. It’s the field where you’ll sign after completing
all other required information above.
But,
it’s not essential information for the USPS postal money orders. Some other money
orders may require it. Remember, there is another field for signing on the
money order’s back that’s not for you. The recipient will sign this field to
who you send the money.
What To Do When You Filled Out A Money
Order
After
filling in the required field on your money order, you should read it once again
to ensure the provided information is correct. If you find any mistake in the
money order, avoid trying to resolve it yourself.
Instead,
please bring it to where you bought the money order from and request to solve
it. They’ll make the essential correction your money order needs per their
policy. But, you can’t do anything with the money order that you already paid
for.
If your
money order is still unpaid, you must correct it before sending it. You may
ask: can you purchase a money order with
a debit card? Yes, you can buy
a money order with cash.
Also,
some issuers allow you to use your credit card to pay bills for a money order.
It doesn’t matter if you purchase money
order with debit card, credit card, or cash; you have to pay a fee of not more
than $5.
After
paying the amount, you’re going to send and the required fee, you’ll get a
tracking number that will help you track your money order. It’ll also allow you
to see when the money order is cashed.
Mistakes To Avoid While Filling A Money
Order
You have already learned how to fill out a money
order, and the process of filling it is quite simple. You need to provide
the required information in the right place. You must fill in the information
carefully to avoid any mistakes.
But,
some mistakes may occur for some people, and the most common ones include:
- Spelling mistake on the payee’s name
- Adding incorrect payee address
- Keeping the recipient information blank
- Making mistakes while writing your name/address
- Leaving the memo without adding an account number
- Signing in the wrong place or completely forgetting it
- Losing the tracking receipt
Bottom Line
Sending
money through money order is one of the safest ways to pay someone or a
business. But, it’s worth knowing how to
fill out a money order to ensure the money to pay the recipient.
If you
don’t find where the money orders are available, you go with other options like
sending money in cash, personal check, certified bank check, or mobile payment.
The
most convenient and helpful way is to open and use a bank account to purchase
money orders that help make payments and manage your money effortlessly.
FAQs & Answers Section
Do you
still have any more questions in your mind? Check the below questions and their
answers to find your one:
Do I Need To Sign A Money Order?
Yes,
you must sign a money order to make money available for the person you’re
sending to get it in cash or deposit it. If you keep a money order unsigned,
it’ll not be used because it’s proof that you have paid the money.
How Do You Deposit A Money Order?
Depositing
a money order into your saving or checking account should be done the same way
you deposit a check. When depositing an ATM or mobile check, you need to sign
the money order back, write the bank account number under the sign, and take an
image for a mobile deposit or put the money order into the ATM. If you want to
deposit your money order at the bank or credit union, they can ask you to show
your ID to verify that you’re the owner of the money order.
Who Is The Purchaser On A Money Order?
If you
buy a money order, you’re the purchaser, and you’re going to send or pay money
to someone or a business. While using a money order to pay any bill, you’re the
purchaser as you have bought the money order.
How Much Does It Cost To Send A Money
Order?
You can
buy money orders from places, including the US Postal Service, Walmart, and
banks. The fees or money order costs may vary depending on where you buy it.
However, you must pay between $1 and $5 for every money order.
Whose Address Do You Put On A Money
Order?
While
filling a money order, you have to provide your address in the purchaser part
that can be labelled with “from,” “sender,” “remitter,” or “purchaser.”