Maximum Amount for Money Orders at 20 Places That Sell Them

Short Answer: The maximum amount you can purchase for one money order varies by issuer and agent location. Money order limits range from between $500 and $1,000 each. If you need more than the money order limit will allow, you’ll need to purchase multiple money orders (and pay any accompanying fees for each order) — there is 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.

Maximum Amounts for Money Orders

The maximum amount you can purchase for a single money order varies by the issuer backing it and the location selling it. All issuers set the maximum amount for one domestic money order at $1,000, but some agent locations may have stricter limits. Fortunately, you can purchase more than one money order at a time, and there is usually no limit on the number of money orders you can buy.

Note, however, that money orders typically come with fees, and you’ll need to pay a fee for each order 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.

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

Banks and Credit Unions

Most banks issue their own money orders (not MoneyGram, Western Union, etc.). Note that while banks will generally not limit the number of money orders you can purchase in a single day, they are required to fill out a Suspicious Activity Report for any cash or cash-equivalent transactions (i.e., purchasing or cashing money orders) that amount to $10,000 or more.

BB&T Bank

Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Free with some accounts, $5 for all others
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, see the BB&T Bank Personal Services guide.

Chase

Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Free with some accounts, $5 for all others
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, click the See Account Details link for your Chase account.

Citibank

Maximum: Undisclosed on the website; contact your local branch for its specific policy
Cost: Free with some accounts, $5 for all others
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, visit the Citibank Compare Benefits page.

HSBC Bank

Maximum: Undisclosed on the website; contact your local branch for its specific policy
Cost: Free with some accounts, $5 for all others
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, visit the HSBC Bank website or contact customer service.

U.S. Bank

Maximum: Undisclosed on the website; contact your local branch for its specific policy
Cost: Free with some accounts, $5 for all others
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, see the U.S. Bank Consumer Pricing Information guide.

Wells Fargo

Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Free with some accounts, $5 for all others
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, visit the Wells Fargo Checking and Savings Help page.

Check Cashing Stores

ACE Cash Express

Issuer: MoneyGram
Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Start at $0.89; contact your local branch for exact fees
Payment accepted: Cash; some locations may accept debit cards
For more information, visit the ACE Cash Express Money Orders page.

Money Mart

Issuer: Western Union
Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Varies by store
Payment accepted: Cash
For more information, visit the Money Mart Western Union page.

Convenience Stores

7-Eleven

Issuer: Western Union
Maximum: $500
Cost: Starts at $0.65
Payment accepted: Cash
For more information, see our article about 7-Eleven money order fees.

CVS

Issuer: MoneyGram
Maximum: $500
Costs: $1.25
Payment accepted: Cash
For more information, see our article about buying a money order at CVS.

Rite Aid

Issuer: Western Union
Maximum: $500
Cost: $0.99
Payment accepted: Cash
For more information, see our article about Rite Aid’s money order policy.

Grocery Stores

Albertsons

Issuer MoneyGram
Maximum: $500
Cost: Starts at $0.70; fees can vary by location
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards, and credit cards
For more information, see our article on Albertsons’ money order policy.

King Soopers

Issuer: Western Union
Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Start at around $0.69; fees can vary by location (check online coupon section before purchase for possible cheaper fees)
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards, some stores accept credit cards
For more information, see our article about buying a money order at King Soopers.

Kroger

Issuer: Western Union
Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Varies by location; usually around $0.88
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards, some stores accept credit cards
For more information, see our article: Kroger Money Order Policy

Publix

Issuer: MoneyGram
Maximum: $500
Cost: Start at around $0.89; fees can vary by location
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, see our article about buying a money order at Publix.

Safeway

Issuer: Western Union
Maximum: $500
Cost: Start at around $0.60; fees can vary by location
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, see our article about Safeway’s money order policy.

Vons

Issuer: MoneyGram
Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Typically around $0.89; fees can vary by location
Payment accepted: Cash only at most locations
For more information, see our article detailing money order services at Vons.

Walmart

Issuer: MoneyGram
Maximum: $1,000
Cost: Varies by location; usually around $0.88
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards, and Walmart MoneyCard
For more information, see our article: Walmart’s money order services.

Miscellaneous Places

The Post Office

Maximum: $1,000 for domestic money orders; $700 for international (with some exceptions)
Costs: $1.25-$1.70 for domestic money orders; $9.50 for international
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards, and traveler’s checks
For more information visit the USPS Money Orders page

Note: While the USPS does not 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 will need to fill out a Funds Transaction Report and show a valid ID.

Western Union Offices

Maximum: Vary by location
Costs: Fees start at around $0.50 to $1.50 or more, depending on location
Types provided: Domestic and International
Payment accepted: Cash, PIN debit cards
For more information, see our article about buying and cashing Western Union money orders.

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.

While most places only provide domestic money orders, some places — most notably the Post Office and Western Union — do issue international money orders, with some restrictions. You can contact the issuer or specific agent location to find out its maximum money order amounts for your intended country.

Alternatives

If you need to make a large purchase that needs to be secure but you do not 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. For more information about alternatives to money orders, we provide a comparison of money orders vs. cashier’s checks and certified checks.

In Summary

You can purchase money orders in the range of $500 to $1,000 each at most banks, convenience stores, and grocery stores. If you need more than what the limit allows, you can purchase multiple money orders, but be aware that some locations may view this as suspicious. Also, note that purchasing more than one money order will mean paying more fees.

If you need more information on money orders, we list places near you that can cash a money order. You might also be interested in our articles about depositing a money order online, where to get free money orders, and where to get a money order at any time of the day. Or, for more general information about how money orders work, see our money order FAQ.