Filling out a money order can be a hassle if you're not familiar with the process. But don't worry, we're here to help! In this article, we'll walk you through the steps of filling out a money order, from start to finish.
A money order is a safer alternative to cash when making payments, and they're accepted by most businesses and organizations. They're also relatively inexpensive, typically costing a few dollars.
Before you can start filling out a money order, you'll need to gather some basic information. This includes the recipient's name and address, the amount of money you want to send, and the date you want the money order to be effective.
How to Fill Out a Money Order
Follow these steps to fill out a money order correctly:
- Write recipient's name
- Enter exact dollar amount
- Include cents in dollars and cents box
- Sign your name
- Write your address (optional)
- Enter today's date
- Keep the receipt
- Use a pen, not a pencil
Once you've filled out the money order, you can take it to a post office or other authorized retailer to purchase it. You'll need to pay for the money order with cash or a debit card.
Write recipient's name
The recipient's name is the person or business that you are sending the money to. It's important to write the recipient's name exactly as it appears on their official identification, such as their driver's license or passport. If you make a mistake, the money order may be delayed or even returned to you.
If you are sending the money order to a business, you should write the business's legal name. You can usually find this information on the business's website or official documents.
If you are sending the money order to an individual, you should write their full name, including their first, middle, and last name. You should also include any suffixes, such as Jr. or Sr.
Once you have written the recipient's name, double-check to make sure it is spelled correctly and that you have included all of the necessary information.
Here are some additional tips for writing the recipient's name on a money order:
- Use a pen with black or blue ink.
- Write in cursive or block letters.
- Make sure your handwriting is neat and legible.
- If you are sending the money order to a foreign country, you may need to include the recipient's address in addition to their name.
Enter exact dollar amount
The dollar amount is the amount of money that you are sending with the money order. You should write the dollar amount in the space provided on the money order form. Be sure to write the dollar amount in both numbers and words.
For example, if you are sending $100, you would write "100" in the numbers box and "One hundred dollars" in the words box.
It's important to enter the exact dollar amount, including any cents. If you make a mistake, the money order may be delayed or even returned to you.
Here are some additional tips for entering the dollar amount on a money order:
- Use a pen with black or blue ink.
- Write in cursive or block letters.
- Make sure your handwriting is neat and legible.
- If you are sending the money order in a foreign currency, you will need to convert the amount to the local currency.
Once you have entered the dollar amount, double-check to make sure it is correct. You should also make sure that you have written the amount in both numbers and words.
Include cents in dollars and cents box
If the amount you are sending includes cents, you need to include them in the "dollars and cents" box on the money order form. The dollars and cents box is typically located next to the "dollar amount" box.
To include cents in the dollars and cents box, follow these steps:
- Write the dollar amount in the "dollar amount" box.
- Write the cents amount in the "cents" box.
- If there are no cents, write "00" in the "cents" box.
For example, if you are sending $100.50, you would write "100" in the "dollar amount" box and "50" in the "cents" box.
It's important to include the cents amount, even if it is zero. If you do not include the cents amount, the money order may be delayed or even returned to you.
Here are some additional tips for including cents in the dollars and cents box:
- Use a pen with black or blue ink.
- Write in cursive or block letters.
- Make sure your handwriting is neat and legible.
Sign your name
Once you have filled out all of the other information on the money order, you need to sign your name in the designated space. Your signature is required in order to authorize the money order and make it valid.
- Sign your name exactly as it appears on your identification.
This is typically your driver's license or passport. If you sign your name differently than it appears on your identification, the money order may be delayed or even returned to you.
- Use a pen with black or blue ink.
Do not use a pencil or other type of writing instrument.
- Make sure your signature is legible.
If your signature is not legible, the money order may be delayed or returned to you.
- Do not sign the money order until you are ready to purchase it.
Once you sign the money order, it becomes valid and you will be responsible for paying the amount of the money order.
Here are some additional tips for signing a money order:
- Sign the money order in a well-lit area.
- Use a pen that is comfortable to hold and that you can control well.
- Sign the money order slowly and carefully.
- Make sure that your signature is complete and that it includes all of the letters in your name.
Write your address (optional)
In most cases, it is optional to write your address on a money order. However, there are some situations where it may be helpful to include your address, such as:
- If you are sending the money order to a business that you have never done business with before.
- If you are sending the money order to a foreign country.
- If you want to keep a record of the money order transaction.
- Write your address in the space provided on the money order form.
The address space is typically located near the top of the form.
- Use a pen with black or blue ink.
Do not use a pencil or other type of writing instrument.
- Make sure your address is complete and legible.
If your address is not complete or legible, the money order may be delayed or returned to you.
- Include your apartment or suite number, if applicable.
Here are some additional tips for writing your address on a money order:
- Write your address in a well-lit area.
- Use a pen that is comfortable to hold and that you can control well.
- Write your address slowly and carefully.
- Make sure that your address is complete and that it includes all of the necessary information, such as your street address, city, state, and zip code.
Enter today's date
The date is an important piece of information on a money order. It is used to track the money order and to determine when the money order expires.
To enter today's date on a money order, follow these steps:
- Locate the "date" field on the money order form. It is typically located near the top of the form.
- Write today's date in the "date" field. You can use either numbers or words to write the date.
- If you are using numbers, write the month, day, and year in that order. For example, if today's date is January 1, 2023, you would write "01/01/2023".
- If you are using words, write out the month, day, and year in that order. For example, if today's date is January 1, 2023, you would write "January 1, 2023".
Here are some additional tips for entering today's date on a money order:
- Use a pen with black or blue ink.
- Write in cursive or block letters.
- Make sure your handwriting is neat and legible.
- Do not use any abbreviations.
Once you have entered today's date, double-check to make sure that it is correct. You should also make sure that you have written the date in the correct format.
Keep the receipt
Once you have purchased a money order, you will be given a receipt. The receipt is an important document that you should keep for your records. The receipt contains important information about the money order, such as:
- The money order number
- The amount of the money order
- The date the money order was purchased
- The name of the person or business that you sent the money order to
- The expiration date of the money order
You should keep the receipt in a safe place until the money order has been cashed or deposited. The receipt can be used to track the money order and to resolve any disputes that may arise.
Here are some additional tips for keeping the receipt:
- Store the receipt in a safe place, such as a filing cabinet or a lockbox.
- Make a copy of the receipt and store it in a separate location.
- Keep the receipt until the money order has been cashed or deposited.
If you lose the receipt, you may be able to get a copy from the money order issuer. However, it is always best to keep the original receipt in a safe place.
Use a pen, not a pencil
When filling out a money order, it is important to use a pen, not a pencil. There are a few reasons for this:
- Pens are more permanent than pencils.
If you make a mistake with a pen, you can simply cross it out and write the correct information. If you make a mistake with a pencil, it can be difficult to erase completely, which could make the money order difficult to read.
- Pens are less likely to smudge.
If you accidentally rub your hand against a pencil mark, it can smudge and make the money order difficult to read. Pens are less likely to smudge, so you can be sure that the information you write on the money order will be clear and legible.
- Pens are required by some money order issuers.
Some money order issuers, such as the United States Postal Service, require that money orders be filled out with a pen. If you use a pencil, the money order may be rejected.
Here are some additional tips for using a pen when filling out a money order:
- Use a pen with black or blue ink.
- Write in cursive or block letters.
- Make sure your handwriting is neat and legible.
- Do not use any abbreviations.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to fill out a money order:
Question 1: What information do I need to fill out a money order?
Answer: You will need the following information to fill out a money order:
- The recipient's name
- The dollar amount
- The date
- Your signature
- Your address (optional)
Question 2: Where can I buy a money order?
Answer: You can buy a money order at a variety of places, including banks, credit unions, post offices, and convenience stores.
Question 3: How much does a money order cost?
Answer: The cost of a money order varies depending on the issuer and the amount of the money order. Typically, money orders cost a few dollars.
Question 4: What is the difference between a money order and a cashier's check?
Answer: A money order is a prepaid financial instrument that is issued by a bank, credit union, or other financial institution. A cashier's check is a check that is drawn on the bank's own funds. Both money orders and cashier's checks are considered to be safe and reliable forms of payment.
Question 5: Can I cancel a money order?
Answer: Yes, you can cancel a money order, but you will need to contact the issuer of the money order to do so. There may be a fee for canceling a money order.
Question 6: What should I do if I lose a money order?
Answer: If you lose a money order, you should contact the issuer of the money order immediately. You may be able to get a replacement money order or a refund.
Question 7: What should I do if I receive a money order that is damaged or altered?
Answer: If you receive a money order that is damaged or altered, you should not accept it. You should return the money order to the sender and ask for a replacement.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ Money orders are a safe and convenient way to send money. By following these tips, you can easily fill out a money order correctly.
In addition to the information provided in the FAQ, here are some additional tips for filling out a money order:
Tips
Here are some additional tips for filling out a money order:
Tip 1: Fill out the money order carefully.
Make sure that you write all of the information correctly and legibly. If you make a mistake, cross it out neatly and write the correct information next to it.
Tip 2: Use a pen with black or blue ink.
Do not use a pencil or a pen with red ink. Some money order issuers may reject money orders that are not filled out with a pen with black or blue ink.
Tip 3: Sign the money order in the presence of the recipient.
This will help to prevent fraud.
Tip 4: Keep the receipt until the money order has been cashed or deposited.
The receipt contains important information about the money order, such as the money order number and the amount of the money order. You may need the receipt if there is a problem with the money order.
Closing Paragraph for Tips By following these tips, you can easily fill out a money order correctly and avoid any problems.
Once you have filled out the money order, you can take it to a bank, credit union, or other authorized retailer to purchase it. You will need to pay for the money order with cash or a debit card.
Conclusion
Filling out a money order is a simple process, but it's important to do it correctly. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your money order is processed quickly and without any problems.
Here are the main points to remember:
- Write the recipient's name exactly as it appears on their identification.
- Enter the exact dollar amount, including any cents.
- Sign your name in the designated space.
- Include your address (optional).
- Enter today's date.
- Keep the receipt until the money order has been cashed or deposited.
- Use a pen, not a pencil.
By following these tips, you can easily fill out a money order correctly and avoid any problems.
Closing Message Money orders are a safe and convenient way to send money. They are accepted by most businesses and organizations, and they are relatively inexpensive. If you need to send money to someone, a money order is a good option.