If you need to make a secure payment without using cash, a personal check, or a debit card, learning how to fill out a money order correctly is important. A money order is prepaid, widely accepted, and can be useful for paying rent, bills, businesses, or individuals.
Filling out a money order is simple once you know where each piece of information belongs. In most cases, you will need the recipient’s name, your name and address, an account or memo number if applicable, and your signature.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to fill out a money order step by step, where the purchaser’s signature goes, common mistakes to avoid, and what to do after completing it.
What Is a Money Order?
A money order is a prepaid payment instrument that allows you to send a specific amount of money to another person or organization. Because you pay for the money order in advance, the recipient does not have to worry about the payment bouncing because of insufficient funds.
Money orders may be available from:
- U.S. Post Office locations
- Banks and credit unions
- Grocery and convenience stores
- Check-cashing businesses
- Money transfer companies such as Western Union
Money orders can be especially useful when the recipient does not accept personal checks or when you prefer not to send cash through the mail.
How to Fill Out a Money Order Step by Step
The exact appearance of a money order can vary depending on the issuer, but most require the same basic information. Here’s how to complete a money order correctly.
1. Write the Recipient’s Name
Look for a section labeled Pay To, Pay To The Order Of, or something similar. Write the full legal name of the person or business receiving the payment.
Try to complete this section as soon as you purchase the money order. Leaving the recipient field blank can create unnecessary risk if the money order is lost or stolen.
2. Enter Your Name and Address
The purchaser is the person buying the money order. Depending on the issuer, you may see a field labeled Purchaser, From, Sender, or Remitter.
Write your full name and, if requested, your mailing address. This helps the recipient identify who sent the payment.
3. Add an Account Number or Memo
If you’re using the money order to pay a bill, rent, loan, or another account, look for a section labeled Memo, Payment For, or Account Number.
Enter the appropriate account number or a short description of the payment. For example, if you’re paying rent, you might include the rental address or month being paid.
4. Sign the Money Order
One of the most common questions people have is how to sign money orders.
Look for a field labeled Purchaser’s Signature, Signature, or something similar. This is generally where the person purchasing the money order signs.
Do not sign the back of the money order unless the issuer specifically instructs you to do so. The back is commonly reserved for the person or business receiving the money order when they deposit or cash it.
5. Keep the Receipt
Do not throw away the receipt or detachable stub that comes with your money order.
The receipt usually contains a serial or tracking number that can help you verify whether the money order was cashed. It can also be important if the money order becomes lost or stolen.
Where Does the Purchaser’s Signature Go on a Money Order?
The purchaser’s signature normally goes on the front of the money order in the space specifically labeled for the purchaser or sender.
The purchaser is the person who bought the money order. If you purchased it to pay another person or company, you are generally considered the purchaser.
Because different issuers use slightly different layouts, always read the printed instructions before signing.
How Do You Fill Out a Money Order?
If you’re wondering how do you fill out money order forms correctly, remember these five basic pieces of information:
- Recipient’s full name
- Your name
- Your address if requested
- Account number or payment memo when applicable
- Your signature in the purchaser’s signature field
Before handing over or mailing the money order, double-check the spelling of the recipient’s name and verify that all required fields are complete.
How to Fill Out a Western Union Money Order
If you’re searching for how to fill out a WU money order, the process is similar to most other money orders.
A Western Union money order may include areas for the payee’s name, purchaser information, address, payment or account details, and purchaser’s signature.
Because money order designs can change, follow the instructions printed directly on the document. You can also review current instructions from Western Union before completing the payment.
Should You Sign the Back of a Money Order?
Generally, the purchaser should not sign the back of a money order. That area is typically intended for the recipient to endorse the money order before depositing or cashing it.
If you are the purchaser, use the signature field on the front unless the issuer provides different instructions.
What Happens If You Make a Mistake on a Money Order?
If you make a mistake while filling out a money order, avoid crossing out information or using correction fluid unless the issuer specifically says that corrections are allowed.
A money order with altered information may be rejected by the recipient or financial institution.
If you entered incorrect information, contact the company that issued the money order and ask whether it needs to be replaced.
Can You Leave the Recipient Blank?
It’s generally better to fill in the recipient’s name immediately after purchasing the money order.
A blank money order could potentially be filled out by someone else if it is lost or stolen. Completing the recipient field helps reduce this risk.
Money Order vs. Personal Check
Money orders and personal checks can both be used to make payments, but they work differently.
| Feature | Money Order | Personal Check |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid | Yes | No |
| Requires a checking account | No | Yes |
| Can bounce for insufficient funds | Generally no | Yes |
| May include a purchase fee | Yes | Usually no per check |
If you’re interested in learning more about checks, read our guide on how long a check is good for and when checks expire.
Common Mistakes When Filling Out a Money Order
When filling out money order information, a small mistake can create delays. Common problems include:
- Misspelling the recipient’s name
- Leaving the recipient field blank
- Signing in the wrong location
- Forgetting an account or reference number
- Throwing away the receipt
- Writing over or altering information
Review the entire money order before giving it to the recipient.
How to Keep a Money Order Secure
Treat a completed money order similarly to cash. Keep it somewhere safe until you’re ready to deliver or mail it.
Always retain your receipt separately from the money order itself. The tracking information on your receipt may help if you later need to determine whether the payment was cashed.
For additional information about money orders and other financial products, you can visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Frequently Asked Questions About Money Orders
Who is the purchaser on a money order?
The purchaser is generally the person who buys the money order. If you’re buying a money order to pay someone else, you would normally enter your information in the purchaser or sender section.
Where do I sign a money order?
Sign the front in the area labeled Purchaser’s Signature or a similar designation. Don’t sign the endorsement section on the back unless you’re the recipient or the issuer instructs you otherwise.
Can I use a money order to pay a bill?
Yes. Money orders are commonly used for bills, rent, and other payments. Include the appropriate account or reference number so the company can apply the payment correctly.
Do I need an address on a money order?
Some issuers ask for the purchaser’s address while others may not. Complete every field required by the issuer.
Can I track a money order?
Many issuers provide a way to check the status using the serial or tracking number printed on your receipt. Procedures and fees can vary by issuer.
Can someone else cash my money order?
The money order is generally intended for the person or organization named as the recipient. The financial institution cashing it may require identification and endorsement.
Final Tips for Filling Out a Money Order
Knowing how to fill out a money order can help you avoid payment delays and unnecessary problems. Write the recipient’s name carefully, provide your information where required, include any relevant account number, sign only in the purchaser’s signature area, and keep your receipt.
Before sending a money order, verify all information one final time. Requirements can vary depending on the company issuing the money order, so follow the instructions printed on the document.
If you’re exploring different financial options, visit our Cash In Minutes FAQs or learn more about our personal loan options.
