Western Union international money order: Fees, limits, and how to fill out

Money orders may seem like an old-fashioned way to send money overseas, but they have their place in the conversation. They're more secure than cash or checks, and you can use them to send money even if you don't have a checking account.

Here's everything you need to know about sending a Western Union money order.

Keep in mind that before you commit to a money-sending method, it’s important to do your research. Money orders are often slower and more cumbersome than alternatives. Also, your recipient may not be able to cash the money order abroad.

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Table of contents

Does Western Union do money orders? How much is a Western Union money order? Western Union money order limit Can I send money overseas with a Western Union money order? Make low cost international transfers with Wise How to send money using a Western Union money order? How to fill out a Western Union money order? How do you track a Western Union money order? Can you cancel a Western Union money order? Where can I cash a Western Union money order?

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Does Western Union do money orders?

Yes, you can send an international money order with Western Union.

A Western Union money order is a lot like a check, except that you pay for it upfront. It can be delivered in person or via mail to anyone in the world, who can then cash it or deposit it into their bank account.

Western Union has agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories.¹

However, cashing international money orders can be challenging. Many banks and post offices outside the US don't accept them, and those that do often charge high fees or have long processing times.

For international transfers, Western Union also offers direct money transfer services. Learn more about how to use Western Union here.

How much is a Western Union money order?

There's no one fixed Western Union money order fee. Money order costs depend on where you’re sending it and how you’re paying for it. On Western Union’s website, there’s a price estimator that will help you get an idea of what it’ll cost to send your money.

It’s also important to note that Western Union will mark up the exchange rate it uses to convert currency when sending internationally. So those fees you see? They aren’t the only fees.

Western Union makes money from currency exchange.¹ This means you’ll want to get out a calculator and start comparing the exchange rate you see on your screen to the one you find on Google to find out how much that additional charge is going to cost you.

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Western Union money order limit

Money orders are usually used to send small amounts of money.

For traditional money orders, the order limit is typically just 1,000 USD. Western Union doesn't share the exact money order limit on its website, but it's likely on par with the average. You can usually send multiple money orders, but each of them will cost a fee.

For Western Union's direct money transfer services, you can send up to 3,000 USD without verifying your identity and up to 50,000 USD once you verify who you are online or at an agent location.²

Learn more about Western Union’s transfer limits in our full guide.

Can I send money overseas with a Western Union money order?

You can send a Western Union money order to another country, but it may not be the best idea.

A money order is a physical piece of paper, so it has to be sent via the mail or delivered in person. International mail can take weeks to arrive, and many banks outside the US either won't accept foreign money orders or will charge high fees to process them.

In other words, your recipient might receive the money order but struggle to actually access the funds.

Western Union does offer faster money transfers online, but compare costs before sending. Western Union profits from currency exchange by setting their own exchange rates, which are typically less favorable than the mid-market rate.

For example, if the market rate is 1 USD = 0.85 EUR, Western Union might use a rate of 1 USD = 0.80 EUR and keep the difference as profit. This is on top of their transfer fees.

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Wise always shows you the amount you’re paying and how much your recipient will get — and you can even compare against other providers on the Wise app or desktop site.

If another service is cheaper for your particular payment, you’ll be shown — so you can’t lose.

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See how Wise compares with international bank transfers in our full guide

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

How to send money using a Western Union money order?

Sending a Western Union money order is pretty straightforward, but you have to do it in person. Not all Western Union locations sell money orders, so make sure your local one does before you go.

All you have to do is:

Step 1. Head to a Western Union branch and purchase your money order

Step 2. Fill out the money order

Step 3. Either deliver the money order in person or send it via mail to the recipient

You don't need a bank account, but you may need your ID.

How to fill out a Western Union money order?

Filling out a money order is pretty simple. Here’s what you'll need to do:

• Pay to the order of: Write the name of the person you want to send money to. Make sure you know the correct spelling of the recipient’s name because you can’t change this information once the money order is processed.
• Purchaser’s address: Fill out your information where it says “From,” “Sender,” “Remitter” or “Purchaser.” You’ll need to provide your full name and address.
• Signature: Sign the front of the money order, not the back — that’s where the recipient needs to sign to cash it.
• Keep your receipt: If the money order gets lost or damaged or needs to be replaced for any reason, you’ll need the receipt to track and cancel it.

You can also typically add a note if you want to include a reference number or explain why you're sending money to your recipient.

How do you track a Western Union money order?

Tracking a money order is tricky because it's a piece of paper, but you'll be able to know whether or not your money order has been cashed. You'll need the tracking number, which can be found on the money order receipt.

Learn more about Western Union money order tracking here.

Can you cancel a Western Union money order?

A money order is a piece of paper, so you can't cancel it, but you can request a refund if it hasn't been cashed yet. If your money order has already been cashed, then there's no way to get your funds back.

You can fill out the Money Order Refund Request Form, and your refund will be processed within 7 business days (but may take up to 15 extra business days to get to you by mail).³

You’ll have to pay refund processing fees. Here's what to expect.

Money order amount	Refund processing fee³
Under 5 USD	0 USD
Between 5.01 USD and 99.99 USD	5 USD
Above 100 USD	15 USD

You'll also have to pay a non-refundable research request fee of 15 USD - on top of the applicable processing fees.³

Where can I cash a Western Union money order?

In the US, you can typically cash a money order at Western Union locations, banks, grocery stores, and check-cashing stores. Many retailers that cash regular checks will also cash money orders.

Keep in mind that not all Western Union locations can cash money orders, even if they sell them, and some locations may charge a fee for this service.

Cashing a money order abroad is often tricky, but international banks and Western Union locations are your best bet.

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Western Union money orders can be a reliable way to send smaller amounts of money within the US, especially if you or your recipient prefer not to use banks or digital payments.

While sending an international money order is technically possible, you'll likely face long delivery times and potential difficulties cashing the money order abroad.

If you need to send money abroad, use Wise for a fast and simple process. Send money to over 160 countries online with no exchange rate markups.

Sources

1. Western Union.
2. Western Union - How much can I send with Western Union?
3. Western Union - How can I request a money order refund?

Sources checked 12.09.2024