24-Hour Money Orders: Where to Get a Money Order Any Time of Day

What Is a Money Order?

A money order is a prepaid method of payment for a specified sum that is often viewed as a safe, trusted alternative to a check. It can be great for those who, for whatever reason, don’t have a bank account and need to pay bills. Money orders can also be a safe substitution for cash if you have to purchase something through the mail. Since you pay for a money order upfront, there is no uncertainty as to when the funds will be taken out of your account, unlike with a check.

You’ll typically pay a fee for a money order — often less than $2 — and there may be limits as to how much you can purchase at a time, which will vary by location. A money order also differs from a check in that it doesn’t contain sensitive security information that could potentially be abused by identity thieves (such as name, address, and bank routing and account numbers). A money order usually doesn’t expire and it comes with a tracking number that can help you verify that it made it to the intended recipient. Further, the person who receives the money order can rest assured that it won’t bounce since the funds have been prepaid. Money orders can be purchased at a plethora of places, including grocery stores, gas stations, banks, check-cashing stores, and the post office.

For general information on where to get a money order, see our article. We also have more details about how money orders work in our money order FAQ.

What Documents Are Required to Get a Money Order?

Unless you’re planning on purchasing a money order of $3,000 or more, all you need is a viable source of payment and yourself. If you’re planning on purchasing a $3,000+ money order, you’ll need to provide a form of ID, such as a driver’s license, and documents with:

• • Your current address
  • Social Security number
  • Date of birth

You’ll also need to fill out Form 8105-A or a similar transaction request form, depending on the location of purchase. Be aware that most 24-hour options don’t allow the purchase of large money orders.

Also, be cautious when paying with a credit card. Most places require money orders to be paid for with cash or a debit card. If a credit card is used, a place may not inform you that you’re actually getting a cash advance through your credit card rather than processing a standard purchase. These cash advances often come with high fees or exorbitant interest rates.

Places That Sell Money Orders 24/7

Note: For all of the places listed, at least some of the locations are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s always a good idea to check your local store before visiting to make sure it is still open.

Check Cashing Stores

RiteCheck (Harlem and Bronx only)

• Hours: Five of RiteCheck’s 14 locations are open 24 hours.
• Price: Starting at around $0.89
• Payment methods accepted: Cash or debit card
• Money order company used: MoneyGram
• Find your nearest 24-hour RiteCheck

Western Union Agent Locations

• Hours: Some locations are open 24/7, but most are not
• Price: Starting at around $0.50 to $1.50
• Payment methods accepted: Cash or debit card
• Money order company used: Western Union
• Find your nearest 24-hour Western Union agent

Convenience Stores and Gas Stations

7-Eleven

• Hours: Open 24/7, though money orders may not be available for purchase 24 hours a day at all locations
• Price: Minimum charge of $0.65. Purchase up to $500 per money order for 1%-3% of the amount of the money order, depending on location.
• Payment methods accepted: Cash, credit, or debit
• Money order company used: Western Union or MoneyGram
• Find your nearest 24-hour 7-Eleven

For more information, see our article: 7-Eleven Money Order FAQ: Fees, Limits, Cashing and More

Pharmacies

CVS

• Hours: Some locations are open 24 hours, but not all (more are open 24/7 in larger urban or tourist areas)
• Price: Purchase up to $500 per money order for around $1.25
• Payment methods accepted: Cash
• Money order company used: MoneyGram
• Find your nearest 24-hour CVS

For more information, see our article: CVS Money Order FAQ: Does CVS Sell Money Orders/Cash Them? Fees?

Rite Aid

• Open 24 hours? Some locations are open 24 hours, but not all (more are open 24/7 in larger urban or tourist areas)
• Price: Purchase up to $500 per money order for around $0.99
• Payment methods accepted: Cash
• Money order company used: Western Union
• Find your nearest 24-hour Rite Aid

For more information, see our article: Rite Aid Money Orders: Everything to Know (Provider, Hours, Cost…)

Places That May Have Extended Hours for Money Orders (But Not 24/7)

Below, we’ve compiled the list of places to get money orders that, while not necessarily open 24 hours a day, do have business hours beyond the standard 9-to-5 window.

An important note: To purchase a money order from a grocery store, you’ll typically need to visit the customer service desk or money services counter. Even if the store itself opens early and closes late, the customer service hours may differ. Not all stores publish when their customer service desk is open, and hours can vary even within the same chain. It’s always a good idea to call first and verify that money orders are available at the time you plan to visit.

ACE Cash Express

• Store hours: Most locations open at 9 a.m., but select ACE Cash Express locations are open until 8 p.m.
• Find your nearest ACE Cash Express

Albertsons

• Store hours: Some locations are open 24/7; many stores are open from 5 a.m. until midnight
• Find your nearest Albertsons

For more information, see our article: Albertsons Check Cashing and Albertsons Money Order Policies

County Market

• Store hours: Some locations are open 24/7; many stores are open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.
• Find your nearest County Market

Family Fare

• Store hours: Some locations are open 24/7; many stores are open from 6 a.m. until midnight
• Find your nearest Family Fare

Hannaford

• Store hours: Some stores open as early as 6 a.m. and stay open as late as 11:59 p.m.
• Find your nearest Hannaford

Food Lion

• Store hours: Select Food Lion locations are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Find your nearest Food Lion

See more details in our article: Food Lion Money Orders: Hours, Provider, If They Sell Them, Cash Them…

Food Giant

• Store hours: Select Food Giant locations are open from 6 a.m. to midnight
• Find your nearest Food Giant

Food Pride 7-9

• Store hours: Some Food Pride locations open as early as 7 a.m. and close as late as 9 p.m.
• Find your nearest Food Pride

Fred Myer

• Store hours: Generally, Fred Meyer stores are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Hours may vary by location.
• Find your nearest Fred Meyer

Fry’s

• Store hours: Some Fry’s Food Stores are open from 5 a.m. until midnight
• Find your nearest Fry’s location

See more details in our article: Fry’s Money Order and Check Cashing Policies: Hours, Provider, Fees, etc

Giant Eagle

• Store hours: Select Giant Eagle locations are open from 6 a.m. until midnight
• Find the nearest Giant Eagle

See more details in our article: Giant Eagle Money Order Policy FAQ: Western Union? Fee? etc Answered

Hy-Vee

• Store hours: Many Hy-Vee stores are open 24 hours a day, though the customer service desk at select locations is only open until 8 or 9 p.m.
• Find the nearest Hy-Vee

Jewel-Osco

• Store hours: Some locations are open 24/7; many stores are open from 6 a.m. until midnight
• Find your nearest Jewel-Osco

For more information, see our article: Jewel-Osco Money Orders via MoneyGram: Cost, Limits, and More

Kmart

• Store hours: Most Kmart locations open at 8 or 9 a.m.; select locations stay open until 10 p.m.
• Find your nearest Kmart

Kroger

• Store hours: Select locations are open 24/7; some stores are open from 5 a.m. until 1 a.m.
• Find your nearest Kroger

For more information, see our article: Does Kroger Do Money Orders? Yes. Hours, Provider, and More Listed

Meijer

• Store hours: Many locations are open 24/7
• Find your nearest Meijer

Money Mart

• Store hours: Select locations are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Find your nearest Money Mart

Piggly Wiggly

• Store hours: Most locations are open from 7 a.m. to 9.p.m.; select locations are open until 10 p.m.
• Find your nearest Piggly Wiggly

Publix

• Store hours: Select locations open at 6:30 a.m. and stay open until 11 p.m.
• Find your nearest Publix

See more details in our article: Publix Money Order and Publix Check Cashing Policies (In Plain Language)

Safeway

• Store hours: Some locations are open 24/7; many stores are open from 5 a.m. until midnight
• Find your nearest Safeway

For more information, see our article: Safeway Check Cashing, Gift Card Balance Check, Money Orders FAQ

ShopRite

• Store hours: Select locations are open 6 a.m. to midnight
• Find the nearest ShopRite

See more details in our article: ShopRite Check Cashing and Money Order Policies Listed

Smith’s

• Store hours: Some locations are open 24/7; some stores are open from 6 a.m. until midnight
• Find your nearest Smith’s

For more information, see our article: Smith’s Western Union Services: Money Center Hours, etc Listed

Stop & Shop

• Store hours: Most Stop & Shop locations open at 7 a.m. (some open at 6 a.m.) and stay open until at least 11 p.m.; some are open until midnight
• Find the nearest Stop & Shop

See more details in our article: Stop & Shop Western Union Money Order FAQ: Hours, Cost, & More…

The Check Cashing Store

• Store hours: Select The Check Cashing Store locations are open until 8 p.m., though most don’t open until 9 or 10 a.m.
• Find your nearest The Check Cashing Store

USPS

• Store hours: While most USPS locations operate from 8:30 or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., select locations open at 7 a.m. and stay open as late as 7 p.m.
• Find your nearest USPS

Vons

• Store hours: Most Vons locations open at 6 a.m. and stay open until at least midnight; select locations are open until 2 a.m.
• Find your nearest Vons

See more details in our article: Vons MoneyGram & Western Union: Money Order Limits, Fees, & More

Walmart

• Store hours: Some stores are open 24/7, but most Walmart MoneyCenters are only open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
• Find your nearest Walmart

For more information, see our article: Money Orders at Walmart FAQ: Cost/Fees, Limit, Hours, Debit Cards…

WinCo Foods

• Store hours: Most stores are open 24/7
• Find your nearest WinCo Foods

Winn-Dixie

• Store hours: Select Winn-Dixie stores are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; most are open until at least 10 p.m.
• Find your nearest Winn-Dixie

See more details in our article: Winn-Dixie Check Cashing and Money Order FAQ: Limit, Provider…

In Summary

You can purchase a money order 24 hours a day from select drugstores, convenience stores, and check-cashing stores including CVS, Rite Aid, 7-Eleven, RiteCheck, and select Western Union agents. Many grocery stores and check-cashing stores also have extended early or late hours during which you can purchase a money order from customer service, though you’ll need to check with your local store’s customer service desk for its specific operating hours. Bring your ID and a form of payment (cash or debit are most commonly accepted) to purchase your money order.

Need a money order over the weekend? See our article on where to get a money order on a Sunday.