Money order is a document directing that a sum of money be paid to a certain person. Many banks and stores and all United States and Canadian post offices sell money orders for a small fee. Money orders resemble checks and thus provide a safe way to send money through the mail. A purchaser fills out a money order and mails it to the person he or she has indicated. The person receiving the order may cash it at a bank or post office.
United States postal money orders may be either domestic or international. A domestic money order may be sent anywhere within the United States. The highest face value of any single domestic money order is $1,000. A buyer may purchase unlimited quantities of money orders by showing valid identification and filling out a necessary form. The United States Postal Service also sells international money orders, which are accepted in a number of countries.
A postal money order may be cashed at any time after the date of issue. Postal money orders may be endorsed only once. The U.S. Postal Service refunds the value of its money orders if they are lost or stolen in the mail.
Canadian postal orders are domestic. They are available in Canadian currency for use within Canada only. Such money orders cannot have a face value of more than $999.99 in Canadian dollars. An unlimited number of money orders may be purchased with valid identification.
