Do money orders have an expiration date?

U.S. Postal Service® money orders are affordable, widely accepted, and never expire. Your money order receipt will help you track your payment and show proof of value in case the money order gets lost, stolen, or damaged. You can buy or cash postal money orders at any Post Office™ location.

What happens if a money order is not cashed?

If the money order has been cashed, the issuer will not replace it or refund the purchase amount. But if the money order goes missing, you have a good chance of getting your money back—minus a fee and a few weeks’ delay—as long as it hasn’t been cashed.

Is a money order still good after a year?

Generally, money orders don’t have expiration dates. This means you should be able to cash a money order no matter how old it is. But issuers may begin applying fees if a money order goes uncashed for a year or more. U.S. Postal money orders are an exception — they never expire and never lose value.

How long can a bank hold a money order?

Important Bank Obligations Thus, banks have the discretion to refuse to cash a money order that is more than six months old, even if the issuer does not put any expiration date on the money order at the time of issue.

What do you do with expired money orders?

Although money orders issued by some financial institutions never expire, some financial institutions may impose expiration dates where permitted by state law. If a money order expires, the financial institution may remit the balance of the money order to the state as abandoned property.

Can I cash my own money order?

Your best bet is to cash a money order at the same entity that issued it, whether that’s a bank branch, post office or other location. Check-cashing locations, convenience stores and grocery stores can be alternatives, but watch out for fees.

Can I cash a blank money order I found?

If the lost money order was blank, that means anyone can sign and cash it, making it harder for you to ever get that money back. But if it was addressed to someone and a different person cashed it, you may be able to get a refund since the bank didn’t properly verify the identity of the recipient.

Can you cash a blank money order?

If the money order is blank, put your name in the recipient’s area and endorse the back of the money order. Then you can either present it to a teller. If you don’t have a bank account, many banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America will cash a money order for a fee.

What do you do with old money orders?

How to Cash a Money Order

1. Bring your money order to a location that will cash it. You can take the money order to your bank, credit union, grocery store, and some retail stores.
2. Endorse your money order.
3. Verify your identity.
4. Pay service fees.
5. Receive your cash.

Do money orders clear immediately?

The cashier’s check and money order cleared the fastest — the money was immediately available since both of them are considered guaranteed funds. The USPS only sells money orders for a maximum amount of $1,000, while cashier’s checks have no maximum (your account balance is your limit).

How long can you keep a money order without cashing it?

After 1-3 years, Western Union will charge a fee against the value of the money order. If this goes on long enough, the money order will be worthless. U.S.P.S. money orders do not expire and retain their value indefinitely.

Can I deposit an old money order?

No. However, depending upon the state of purchase, if you do not use or cash the money order within one to three years of the purchase date, a non-refundable service charge will be deducted from the principal amount (where permitted by law).

How long do you have to cash a money order?

The Uniform Commercial Code says that banks do not have to cash checks that are more than six months old unless the check is certified. Thus, banks have the discretion to refuse to cash a money order that is more than six months old, even if the issuer does not put any expiration date on the money order at the time of issue.

How long can you hold a postal money order?

USPS money orders never expire. If you lose one or have your money order stolen, however, you would only be able to replace it by returning to the post office with the purchase receipt. The USPS will provide a copy of a money order up to two years after it issues one.

What to do when you have a lost money order?

Requesting a Refund Take your money order receipt to any Post Office location. Talk to a retail associate at the counter to start a Money Order Inquiry. After starting the inquiry, you will be able to check the status of your money order and inquiry progress by visiting the Money Orders Application.

How long does money order last from Money Gram?

A USPS money order never expires, a Western Union money order expires a year after the issue date, a bank-issued money order typically expires after 90 days , and MoneyGram doesn’t specify an expiration date for their money orders.