Sending Money Internationally
The U.S. Postal Service® no longer sells international money orders. However, if you recently purchased an international money order, you can still check the status or get help if it’s lost or stolen. If you need to cash an international money order, learn how to redeem it below.
Important Notice on International Money Orders: USPS stopped selling international money orders on September 30, 2024, but you can still cash international money orders up until October 1, 2025.
Updates & Next Steps for International Money Orders
As of October 1, 2024, USPS stopped selling international money orders. Also, the foreign posts for Belize and Peru stopped selling international money orders for the United States.
As of October 1, 2025, countries listed in the International Mail Manual (IMM) 370 will stop cashing USPS international money orders. USPS will also stop cashing international money orders issued by the foreign posts for Belize and Peru.
If you have an international money order issued by USPS, here's what you need to know:
- You may redeem it at a Post Office™ facility at face value until September 30, 2025.
- Important: No international money order will be paid at a Post Office after the expiration date on the international money order or after September 30, 2025, whichever comes first.
- After September 30, 2025, if you did not redeem your international money order at a Post Office, you may file an inquiry using PS Form 6401, Money Order Inquiry. Only the purchaser may file and receive payment. Payments are issued 10 days after the form is processed.
Please mail your completed PS Form 6401, Money Order Inquiry to the below address:
St. Louis Accounting Service Center
General Accounting Branch
PO Box 80453
St. Louis, MO 63180-0453
Receiving Money Orders – How to Spot a Fake
Before accepting a money order, make sure it's real. There are several key things to look at to spot a counterfeit money order.
Examine the Paper
Real USPS® money orders have specific marks and designs to prevent fraud. If you hold the money order up to the light you should see:
- Watermarks of Ben Franklin on the left side repeat top to bottom (circle 1 on image).
- On the right of the Franklin watermark, a vertical, multicolored thread with the letters “USPS” weaves in and out of the paper too (circle 2 on image).
Check the Dollar Amounts
- If the dollar amount is discolored, it may have been erased, indicating fraud (circle 3 on image).
- Make sure the dollar amount is imprinted twice (circle 4 on image).
- See if the dollar value is too large.
- Domestic money orders cannot be more than $1,000.
- International money orders cannot be more than $700 ($500 for El Salvador or Guyana).
Suspect a Fake?
- If you suspect fraud, call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.
- If you think you’ve been given a fake money order, call the Money Order Verification System at 1-866-459-7822.
Check the Status of a Money Order
You can check the status of a money order you've purchased from the U.S. Postal Service at any time by visiting the Money Orders Application.
Make sure you have the following information for the postal money order you want to check:
- Serial number
- Post Office number
- Dollar amount
Replacing Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Money Orders
Lost or Stolen Money Orders
You cannot stop payment on postal money orders, but a lost or stolen money order can be replaced.
- Money order loss or theft may take up to 30 days to confirm.
- Investigating a money order's lost or stolen status may take up to 60 days.
- Effective October 1, 2024, there will be no fee for an international postal money order inquiry.
Requesting a Refund
- Take your money order receipt to any Post Office location.
- Talk to a retail associate at the counter to start a Money Order Inquiry.
- After starting the inquiry, you will be able to check the status of your money order and inquiry progress by visiting the Money Orders Application.
- When your money order is confirmed lost or stolen, we’ll issue you a replacement money order.
Damaged Money Orders
We'll replace money orders that are defective or damaged. Take the damaged money order and your receipt to your local Post Office location to get a replacement.