How to Fill Out a MoneyGram Money Order the Right Way

Download Article

A comprehensive guide to correctly filling out a Moneygram

Co-authored by Michael R. Lewis

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Acquiring a MoneyGram Money Order

|

Filling out a MoneyGram Money Order

|

Sending a Money Order Online

|

Expert Q&A

|

Tips

|

Warnings

|

Things You'll Need

A Moneygram money order must be filled out correctly to ensure that the payment is accepted and processed without any complications. This wikiHow will teach you how to properly fill out a Moneygram money order.

Filling Out a Moneygram: A Quick Guide

Find out if you can pay with a MoneyGram and then buy one.
Write the recipient’s name next to “Pay to the order of.”
Fill in your address in the “purchaser” section.
Sign your name on the “Purchaser, Signer for Drawer” line.
Detach the money order’s receipt and keep it as proof of payment.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Acquiring a MoneyGram Money Order

Download Article

1
Check that you can make your payment with money order. Money orders are a method of payment that gives the recipient a guarantee that they will receive payment.^{[1]
X
Research source} Because you pay for the money order up front when purchasing it, you cannot void the payment like you could with a credit card charge, and the amount cannot bounce like a bad check. Though it’s a very secure method of payment, not all companies or people will accept money orders as a form of payment. Before securing your money order, ask the person you’re paying to whether or not it’s an acceptable form of payment.
- Money orders are commonly required for governmental agencies — for example, if you’re paying a speeding ticket or a court processing fee.
Money orders can be purchased from many different locations, including post office locations, banks, local businesses like grocery stores, Western Union branches, and MoneyGram branches. If you don’t have a MoneyGram branch nearby, be aware that you can likely purchase a money order from many other locations in your area.

Advertisement
3
Locate a MoneyGram branch. If you don’t know where to find one in your area, you can use the search option on the company’s website.^{[2]
X
Research source} Just enter your address and check the box that matches your service needs to find a branch that can give you what you need. Depending on why you need your money order, you should check either “Send Money” or “Pay a Bill.”
- The website will provide you with a list of MoneyGram locations nearby. You can see the location on a map or even follow the directions the website provides to reach your nearest MoneyGram branch.
If you can’t find a convenient location, or if you just don’t have time to visit the branch in person, MoneyGram offers an online money order option. Again, you should check with the recipient to make sure they will accept this form of payment instead of a physical money order.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Filling out a MoneyGram Money Order

Download Article

1
Ask the teller for a money order. You will need to purchase the money order before you fill it out. You should know exactly how much money you need to send the recipient before you go to the MoneyGram location. MoneyGram will charge you a small fee for the transaction, so be able to cover that cost as well.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- MoneyGram accepts cash, debit card, credit card, or check for the purchase of money orders.
Once you’ve paid for the money order, it’s as good as cash. If you leave the fields blank, then lose the money order, anyone who picks it up can make it out to him or herself and keep your money. To prevent this, make sure to fill out the form immediately upon purchase.^{[4]
X
Research source}
This is the first line on the money order, and it is clearly marked as “Pay to the Order Of/Pagar de la Orden De.” The money order labels its various fields in both English and Spanish for the benefit of MoneyGram customers. On this line, you should write the name of the person or company who will receive the money order. Always ask the recipient what name should be provided on the money order, as you must use a legal name rather than a nickname. For example, you may know your landlord as “Jane,” but she may need to deposit the money order as her corporate name, which might be “Smith Properties, Inc.”
Underneath the “Pay to the Order Of” line, you’ll find the “Purchaser, Signer for Drawer” line. Write your signature on that line. You don’t need to print your name legibly. You should use your official signature — the one found on your license and on the back of your credit cards, and the one you use to sign checks.
Beneath the signature line is a line labeled “Address.” You may not be able to tell, from the money order, whether the address should be yours or that of the recipient. However, the address you include should be for the person who purchased the money order. Fill it out completely and accurately, including your street address, city, state, and postal code.
On the side of the money order, you will find a detachable stub that serves as your receipt. Bend along the perforated line to make sure you can remove the receipt stub without tearing the actual money order. Be sure to save the stub until you’re sure that the money order has been received and processed by the person you’re sending payment to. In the event that your money order is stolen or lost, the information on the receipt can be used as proof of purchase, or to track the status of the money order.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sending a Money Order Online

Download Article

The first screen will show two drop-down menus and a text field. From the first drop-down menu, labeled “Send To,” select the country in which the recipient will be receiving and processing the money order. Under “Receive Option,” choose “Pick Up Any Agent – USD.” In the third field, labeled “Amount,” enter the amount to be paid to the recipient. Even if you’re sending an even dollar amount, like $25, include a decimal and two zeroes to indicate that no cents should be paid: 25.00.
The amount of the transfer fee you have to pay will depend on how fast you want them to process and send your payment. If you use a debit or credit card to make your payment, MoneyGram can process your money order within about 10 minutes. However, if you want to use your bank account to pay for the money order, it will take them 3 business days to process it.
3
Sign up for a MoneyGram account. If you already have an account, enter your email address and password to log in to their system. If you’re new to MoneyGram, you will need to sign up for an account by entering your email address.
- On the next screen, enter your name, phone number, billing address, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
- Uncheck the box that says “Yes, I would like to receive promotions and special offers from MoneyGram” if you don’t want to get emails from them.
- Create a password for your account.
- Click the button that says “No, thank you. Do not enroll me in MoneyGram Plus” if you want to opt out of that program.
4
Fill in the recipient’s information. On the same screen where you sign up for your MoneyGram account, you will enter your recipient’s contact information. Include their first and last name, as well as the state in which they live.
- Note that you can only send up to $499.99 to the state of Arizona.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Click the “Yes” or the “No” button to answer the question “Are you sending money for the purchase of goods or services.”
- If you would like to send the recipient a message, you can type one of up to 40 characters.
5
Enter your payment information. At the bottom of the screen, you will be prompted for you payment information. If paying by card, you will need to provide your card type — MoneyGram only accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards. Then, fill in your card number, the expiration date, and the CVV number. If paying with your bank account, you will need to provide the name of your bank, your account type (checking or savings), your routing number, and your account number.
- Regardless of which bank issues it, all checks format their routing and account numbers the same way. At the bottom of your check, you will see a long string of numbers. The first set of numbers is your routing number. The second set is your account number. The third set is the number for that specific check.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- Once you’ve confirmed all your information, you can complete your money order!

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I tell who cashed out my money order?

Michael R. Lewis
Business Advisor
Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.

Michael R. Lewis

Business Advisor

Expert Answer

Refer to WikiHow article How to Track a MoneyGram Money Order for an explanation of the process to determine the status of the order, including whether if it has been cashed and who received the funds.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 16
Question

Do I have to sign the back of the money gram where it says "Payee's endorsement"?

Michael R. Lewis
Business Advisor
Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.

Michael R. Lewis

Business Advisor

Expert Answer

The recipient of the Money Order is the "Payee." Just as a bank check must be endorsed before it can be cashed, a Money Order must be endorsed (signed on the back) by the person named as the Payee before it can be cashed if funds will be transferred.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 19

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

For the best results, use a ballpoint pen with blue or black ink at all times when filling out a Moneygram money order. This can prevent the information you wrote on the money order from becoming faded, erased, or smeared.^{[8]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you want to include an account number, apartment number, or other reference on your Moneygram money order, write the information above your street address or next to your signature. This will prevent any complications from arising should the information be confused with the name of the payee.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Fill out a Moneygram claim card as soon as possible if you experience a problem with your money order, such as it becoming lost, stolen, or damaged, or if you need a replacement money order or photocopy. Replacements and refunds can only be issued if a money order has not been cashed by the payee.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Purchase Moneygram money orders directly from Moneygram only, or from reputable retail locations that are licensed to sell Moneygram money orders. Purchasing money orders from individuals on the street or from other suspicious parties could result in the purchase of a counterfeit item.

Thanks
Helpful 30 Not Helpful 7
You will not have the ability to change the name of the payee after you have filled out the line labeled "Pay to the Order of." If you make a mistake while filling out your money order, you will be required to fill out a claim card with Moneygram, and pay a 15-dollar fee to have your entire money order refunded.

Thanks
Helpful 36 Not Helpful 24