Cashing Money Orders
14.3.1 Validity and Value
Domestic money orders are paid regardless of the time passed since their issue. Money orders are not interest-bearing instruments; they are paid only in the exact amount imprinted up to the authorized maximum amount. USPS records serve as the basis for adjudicating claims for payment of money orders.
14.3.2 Redemption
All U.S. money orders, including military, may be cashed at any U.S. post office or bank. Subject to funds availability, money orders may be cashed by rural carriers.
14.3.3 Identification
When presenting a money order for payment, the customer seeking payment must sign in the presence of a USPS employee. If the customer is not known to the employee, suitable identification can be required. The USPS may refuse payment on any money order when the identity of the customer seeking payment is not proved to the satisfaction of the employee.
14.3.4 Acceptable Signature
The paying post office may accept any signature of the payee, purchaser, or endorsee that is not different from the name shown on the money order, subject to these conditions:
a. A customer who cannot write may sign by using a mark, if a witness (who may not be a USPS employee) is present at the time of cashing.
b. All money orders payable to a business firm, an organization, society, institution, or government agency must be signed in the name of the organization by an authorized representative (who must also sign with his or her own name and organizational title). Evidence of the representative's authority may be required.
c. If the money order is drawn in favor of an official by name and presented by a successor, the successor must sign accordingly (e.g., "William Jones, treasurer, successor to George Thompson").
d. Use of a title (e.g., Mrs., M.D.) is not required in signing a money order for payment, whether such title is used on the face of the money order.
e. A stamped signature is an acceptable endorsement on a money order drawn in favor of a firm, corporation, association, society, or individual, when the money order is presented to a bank for payment. A post office accepts a stamped signature only if an agreement is on file specifying the individual responsible for the correctness of such payments.
14.3.5 More Than One Payee
A money order completed by the purchaser to show more than one firm or person as payee is paid to either payee if the conjunction "or" is used to connect the payees. If no conjunction is used, or if the conjunction "and" is used to connect the payees, then all the listed payees must endorse the money order.
14.3.6 Payment to Another Party
Money orders may be paid to another party under these conditions:
a. Only the payee of a money order may endorse it to any other person or firm. A person with power of attorney may cash money orders for a payee who gave the person that authority. A copy of the power of attorney must be filed at the office of payment. A payee may file a separate written order with the post office authorizing payment to another person. The person must be designated by name as the one to receive payment.
b. When a payee (e.g., an individual or firm) makes an assignment and intends that money orders be paid to the assigned person, the payee must file a copy of a power of attorney or a written order with the USPS. The person who is designated to receive payment must sign the money order and write below the signature the capacity in which he or she acts.
c. A money order may be paid to an executor or court-appointed administrator of the estate of the deceased person who was entitled to payment, provided that a copy of the appointment as executor or administrator is filed with the local postmaster. Such payments are made pursuant to the law of the state in which the deceased was a resident.
d. Money orders are paid to the legal representative of a firm, association, or company that has ceased to exist. Appropriate documents proving legal representation must be provided to the USPS.
e. Money orders are not issued or paid to a ward when declared incompetent by a court. They are paid only to the committee, guardian, or other duly authorized person responsible for the ward. Appropriate proof of authority must be provided to the USPS.
f. A money order payable to a minor may be paid to the father or mother as natural guardian, unless prohibited by court order. Proof of parenthood may be required.
14.3.7 Second Endorsement
A money order with more than one endorsement is invalid, except under 14.3.5.
14.3.8 COD Parcel
No payment is made when a money order is issued in return for a COD parcel, and is presented by the addressee (purchaser), and the money order is not endorsed by the payee (shipper) or the payee has not authorized payment to the purchaser by written approval.
14.3.9 Payment Inquiry
A purchaser, payee, or endorsee may, at any time, inquire about payment of a domestic money order by completing, signing, and filing Form 6401 and paying the appropriate fee; a separate form and fee are required for each money order. The fee is not required if Form 6401 is filed by a bank, other financial institution, government agency that processes money orders directly with the Federal Reserve Bank, or postal official engaged in official USPS business.
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