Maximum Amount for Money Orders at the 18 Most Popular Places

The maximum amount you can purchase for one money order varies by issuer and agent location. Limits generally range from around $500 to $1,000 per money order.

If you need more than the money order limit will allow, you can purchase multiple money orders (and pay any accompanying fees for each order) — there’s usually no limit on the number of money orders you can buy at one time.

Below, we’ve compiled the list of common places for purchasing money orders and their maximum money order amounts.

Comparison Table

You can compare the maximum money order amounts at each business in the table below. Select a company name or scroll to the list below for more details, such as fees and valid payment methods.

The List

Below, we’ve compiled the list of maximum money order amounts at several banks, convenience stores, grocery stores, and other locations that sell money orders from the major issuers in the U.S.

Keep in mind that exact policies, including fees and limits, may differ slightly by location, even if the locations sell money orders from the same issuer.

Also note that money orders typically come with fees, and you’ll need to pay a fee for each one you buy.

Most places that sell money orders require payment in cash, though some also take debit cards and (occasionally) credit cards (as previously reported). We also explain what you need to purchase a money order, including ID requirements.

Banks and Credit Unions

Most banks issue their own money orders (not MoneyGram, Western Union, etc.).

Note that while banks generally don’t limit the number of money orders you can purchase in a single day, they’re required to fill out a Suspicious Activity Report for any cash or cash-equivalent transactions that amount to $10,000 or more.

Chase

• Maximum: $1,000^[1][2] (as previously reported)
• Cost: Free with some accounts; $5 for all others^[1]
• Payment accepted: Cash, debit card, or check^[2]
• Find a Location

Citibank

• Maximum: $1,000^[3]
• Cost: Free with some accounts; $5 for all others^[4][3]
• Payment accepted: Bank account^[3]
• Find a Location

U.S. Bank

• Maximum: $500 for non-account holders; $1,000 for account holders^[5]
• Cost: $5^[6]
• Payment accepted: Cash or bank withdrawal^[5]
• Find a Location

Wells Fargo

• Maximum: $1,000^[7][8]
• Cost: $5^[8]
• Payment accepted: Bank withdrawal^[9]
• Find a Location

Check Cashing Stores

ACE Cash Express

• Issuer: MoneyGram^[10]
• Maximum: $1,000^[11]
• Cost: Varies by location^[11]
• Payment accepted: Cash^[10]
• Find a Location

Money Mart

• Issuer: Western Union^[12]
• Maximum: $1,000^[12]
• Cost: Varies by store^[12]
• Payment accepted: Cash^[12]
• Find a Location

Convenience Stores

7-Eleven

• Issuer: Western Union^[13][14]
• Maximum: $500^[14] (as previously reported)
• Cost: Varies by location from $1 to $5 per money order^[14]
• Payment accepted: Cash^[14]
• Find a Location

CVS

• Issuer: MoneyGram^[15][16]
• Maximum: $500^[15] (as previously reported)
• Costs: $1.25^[15]
• Payment accepted: Cash^[15]
• Find a Location

Rite Aid

• Issuer: Western Union^[17]
• Maximum: $500^[17] (as previously reported)
• Cost: $0.99^[17]
• Payment accepted: Cash^[17]
• Find a Location

Grocery Stores

Albertsons

• Issuer: Western Union^[18][19]
• Maximum: $500^[19]
• Cost: $0.59^[19]
• Payment accepted: Cash^[19]
• Find a Location

King Soopers

• Issuer: Western Union^[20][21]
• Maximum: $1,000^[22] (as previously reported)
• Cost: Fees may vary but are typically $1 with a store card and $1.10 without a store card.^[22]
• Payment accepted: Cash or debit card^[23]
• Find a Location

Kroger

• Issuer: Western Union^[20][21]
• Maximum: $1,000^[22] (as previously reported)
• Cost: Fees may vary but are typically $1 with a store card and $1.10 without a store card.^[22]
• Payment accepted: Cash or debit card^[23]
• Find a Location

Publix

• Issuer: Western Union^[24]
• Maximum: $500^[25] (as previously reported)
• Cost: $0.99^[25]
• Payment accepted: Cash or debit card^[26]
• Find a Location

Safeway

• Issuer: Western Union^[18][19]
• Maximum: $500^[19] (as previously reported)
• Cost: $0.59^[19]
• Payment accepted: Cash^[19]
• Find a Location

Vons

• Issuer: Western Union^[18][19]
• Maximum: $500^[19]
• Cost: $0.59^[19]
• Payment accepted: Cash^[19]
• Find a Location

Walmart

• Issuer: MoneyGram^[27]
• Maximum: $1,000 each; $3,000 total daily^[28] (as previously reported)
• Cost: Varies by location with a $1 maximum^[27]
• Payment accepted: Cash or debit card^[27]
• Find a Location

Miscellaneous Places

United States Postal Service

• Maximum: $1,000 for domestic money orders; $500 to $700 for international money orders^[29]
• Costs:$1.75 for money orders up to $500; $2.40 for money orders up to $1,000; $0.60 for postal military money orders^[29]
• Payment accepted: Cash, debit card, and traveler’s check^[29]
• Find a Location

Note: While the USPS doesn’t place a limit on the number of money orders you can buy at one time, if your daily money order purchase total is $3,000 or more, you’ll need to fill out a Funds Transaction Report and show a valid ID.

Western Union

• Maximum: Generally $1,000 for domestic money orders;^[30] limits vary for international money orders.^[31]
• Costs: Varies by location^[31]
• Payment accepted: Cash or debit card^[30]
• Find a Location

Domestic vs. International Money Orders

There are differences in limits and fees for domestic and international money orders.

Typically, international money orders have higher fees when you purchase them and lower limits to the amount you can put on each money order. For example, as noted above, the USPS limits most international money orders to $700, and the limit is $500 for money orders to Guyana or El Salvador.^[29]

While most places only provide domestic money orders, some places — most notably the USPS and Western Union — do issue international money orders, with some restrictions.

You can contact the issuer or specific agent location to find out the maximum money order amounts for your intended country.

Alternatives

If you need to make a large purchase that needs to be secure but you don’t want to purchase multiple money orders, you might want to consider a cashier’s check or a certified check, both of which have no maximum amounts.^[32]

For more information about alternatives to money orders, we provide a comparison of money orders vs. cashier’s checks and certified checks.