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There are plenty of reasons to buy and cash money orders. But, what if you need to get a money order refunded? Is this even possible? Yes and we show you can you refund a money order.

What are the refund policies for the major money order issuers? In this article, we give an overview of the general refund process for a money order that was purchased from a bank or credit union, and then detailed the rules for each issuer: MoneyGram, USPS, or Western Union.

What to Know Before Asking for a Refund

While you can usually get a money order refund, it can be costly and time consuming. First, you should make sure the money order hasn’t been cashed by someone else. Remember that when you request a refund, you are still liable for the original money order made out to someone else until a stop payment is issued. If you request a refund but then someone else cashes the money order while the refund is being processed, you’ll be on the hook for the money order amount.

Keep an eye on the money order expiration dates. Some providers may not have expiration dates or may still issue a refund after an expiration date assuming that the purchaser still has the original money order and receipt. This policy varies though and you should confirm the company’s policy on expired money orders before sending them any paperwork and fees. For more information on money order expiration dates, see our article Do Money Orders Expire? How Long Are They Good For? Answered.

An Overview

When trying to obtain a refund, having your original money order receipt will make life a lot easier. While Western Union does issue refunds without the original receipt, the USPS and MoneyGram don’t. Bank and credit union rules vary per institution.

If you have the original money order and receipt and it is still blank (you haven’t made the order out to anyone yet) then simply make yourself the recipient of the order and cash or deposit it at a bank or other location that accepts money orders (for more information on how to cash a money order, check out our list of places that cash money orders).

If you have the original money order but you already filled it out to someone else, you can write “not used for intended purpose” on the first line for endorsements on the back, and then endorse the money order. Then, cash the money order or deposit it into your bank account.

If you did not originally purchase the money order, you will have trouble getting a refund. If the money order is blank, you may be tempted to make it out to yourself and cash it — but you can face legal consequences for doing this if the money order is reported stolen. If the money order has been filled out and you are neither the original purchaser nor the person named on the money order, you will be unable to get a refund. With no proof that you are a party to the money order, your only option would be to contact the original sender, who could then request the refund.

Rules for Each Issuer

1. Banks & Credit Unions

Receipt necessary to obtain a refund: Varies by institution
Type of Refund: Varies by institution
Time it takes for refund to be issued: Varies by institution
Cost of requesting a refund: Varies by institution

If you purchase a money order from a bank or credit union, ask about their refund policies before you buy.

If you have the original money order and it has not been cashed then you can follow these steps to obtain a refund:

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Go to the bank or credit union where the money order was purchased.
Bring your money order and receipt (which will contain the money order number, amount, date, and payee information).
With the teller/cashier watching, turn the money order over and write on the endorsement line: “Not used for intended purpose,” followed by your signature.
With government-issued ID, you’ll then be able to deposit the funds into your account.

If you no longer have the original money order, or it is lost, damaged, or stolen, follow these steps:

Go to the bank or credit union where the money order was purchased.
Bring your receipt (which will contain the money order number, amount, date, and payee information).
If the money order was made out to someone else, the bank or credit union representative will first check to ensure that it was not already cashed.
If the money order was not cashed, the bank or credit union representative can initiate stop payment procedures (stop payment usually takes at least 24 hours to complete).
Following successful stop payment, you’ll be able to obtain a replacement money order on the following business day, and then cash it or deposit it into your account to recover the funds.

Please keep in mind that the processes for applying for a refund or re-issuance from banks or credit unions can vary according to the financial institution.

3. MoneyGram

Receipt necessary to obtain a refund: Yes
Type of Refund: Refund Check
Time it takes for refund to be issued: 15 to 20 days
Cost of requesting a refund: $18

As mentioned earlier, a receipt is essential to receive a refund from MoneyGram. If you have lost your receipt, unfortunately, you will not be granted a refund (neither will recipients).

If you have the original money order and it has not been cashed then you can follow these steps to obtain a refund:

Do NOT alter the money order in any way.
Bring your money order and receipt to a bank or check-cashing store and ask if they will refund it for you.
Once you have found a location that will accept the money order, with the teller/cashier watching, turn the money order over and write on the endorsement line: “Not used for purpose intended,” followed by your signature.
The bank or check cashing store will then issue a refund.

If you no longer have the original money order, or it is lost, damaged, or stolen, follow these steps:

Start the process by filling out this form, contacting them by phone (1-800-542-3590), or returning to the originating place of purchase.
Receive or print the Money Order Claim Card.
Fill out the Money Order Claim Card, following instructions carefully.
Make sure you sign the card; MoneyGram will not reissue your money order if you don’t.
Keep the top half of the form for your records.
Attach a copy of your money order receipt.
Include processing fees ($18.00).
Make and keep copies of all the paperwork and payment for your own records.
Return the signed claim card, receipt, and payment to MoneyGram by mail to MoneyGram International (address provided on the form).
If the money order has not been cashed, a refund check may be issued.
If the money order was already cashed, MoneyGram will send you a photocopy of the cashed money order. Claims are processed within 15 days of receipt (with an additional five days for mailing).

4. United States Postal Service (USPS)

Receipt necessary to obtain a refund: Yes
Type of Refund: Refund Check or Replacement Money Order
Time it takes for refund to be issued: 60 days
Cost of requesting a refund: $5.95 by mail or $10-$19 online

The USPS offers refunds on money orders up to two years from the original date of purchase within the United States, and 90 days internationally.

They will not issue a refund without a receipt.

If you no longer have the original money order and you want to obtain a refund, you must first initiate a payment inquiry with the USPS either in person at a physical USPS location or online via the USPS website.

If you have the original money order and it has not been cashed then you can follow these steps to obtain a refund:

Do NOT alter the money order in any way.
Bring your money order, receipt, and identification to the Post Office.
Go up to the customer service desk and endorse the Money Order according to what the service representative tells you to do.
The Post Office will then cash the money order for you.

If the original money order is damaged or destroyed, follow these quick steps:

Go to the Post Office and bring “the negotiable portion of the money order and the matching customer receipt.”
After verifying the order, the Post Office will issue a replacement money order.
You can now write your name as the recipient.
Take your new money order to be cashed or deposited (for more information on how to cash a money order, check out our list of places that cash money orders).

If you no longer have the original money order, or it is lost or stolen, follow these steps:

Go into your local post office branch with your money order receipt.
Request and fill out PS Form 6401 Money Order Inquiry Form.
Give the form to the clerk for verification.
Pay the $5.95 processing fee.
Keep your receipt, with inquiry ID, in a safe place.
Wait for the USPS to process your payment inquiry (this takes approximately 60 days) and mail you a resolution letter with their findings and further instruction.

If you would like to initiate the search yourself via the USPS website to determine if your money order was cashed (this is the more expensive method), follow these steps:

Go to the USPS website.
Fill out the USPS Money Orders Search – Secure Order Form.
Select a type of search: a USPS database search ($10.00) or include a search of your state’s unclaimed funds database (extra $5.00, per state included).
Decide if you want the results delivered by email (included) or by USPS First Class Mail (extra $4.00).
Provide your credit/debit card information.
Submit your search.
Wait for the USPS to research your claim.

Next steps will depend on if the money order was cashed by the payee or not, and if it was cashed fraudulently. If the money order was not cashed or was cashed fraudulently, the ultimate outcome will most likely be an issuance of a blank replacement money order for the original amount.

5. Western Union

Receipt necessary to obtain a refund: No
Type of Refund: Refund Check
Time it takes for refund to be issued: 6-8 weeks
Cost of requesting a refund: $15 with receipt or $30 without receipt

Like most issuers, Western Union refunds purchasers and recipients of money orders for those that are lost, stolen, or destroyed.

They also process money order refund requests without a receipt.

In addition, if the money order is already cashed, they will mail the requestor a photocopy of the cashed money order.

If you have the original money order and it has not been cashed then you can follow these steps to obtain a refund:

Do NOT alter the money order in any way.
Bring your money order and receipt to a bank or check-cashing store and ask if they will refund it for you.
Once you have found a bank that will accept the money order, with the teller/cashier watching, turn the money order over and write on the endorsement line: “Not used for purpose intended,” followed by your signature.
The bank will then issue a refund.

If you no longer have the original money order, or it is lost, damaged, or stolen, follow these steps:

Contact Western Union online or by phone (1-800-999-9600).
Receive or print the Money Order Customer Request (have receipt) or Money Order Research Request (do not have receipt) form.
Fill out the request form.
When using the Money Order Customer Request form: signature is required or your refund will not be processed. When using the Money Order Research Request form: signature is required and you must have it notarized.
Attach your money order receipt.
Include processing fees ($15.00 with receipt or $30.00 without receipt).
Make and keep copies of all the paperwork and payment for your own records.
Return the signed claim card, receipt and payment to Western Union by mail, email (RMO@westernunion.com), or fax (1-720-864-0477).

Western Union takes six to eight weeks (longer end of the spectrum is for those without a receipt) to process requests.

In Summary

Now you know can you refund a money order of each type. Refunding money orders is a bit of a dance and often a bit of a wait, too. If you still have the money order, you can make it out to yourself (if it’s still blank), or write “not used for intended purpose” on the endorsement line, and then sign it. In these two instances, you can deposit the money order into your own account or cash it at one of these business that cash money orders. If you already gave the money order to someone else or you lost it, you’ll have to go through an issuer-specific refund request process, which typically involves filling out a form, paying a fee, and waiting.