How Long Are USPS Money Orders Good For In 2024? The Complete Guide
Money orders remain one of the most widely-used payment methods in the United States, with over $21 billion worth of money orders issued annually according to the American Bankers Association. The United States Postal Service is the largest issuer of money orders, accounting for an estimated two-thirds of all money orders purchased in the U.S.
But if you have an old USPS money order stored away somewhere, you may be wondering – is it still usable? Or is there an expiration date on USPS money orders?
I‘ll explain everything you need to know about how long USPS money orders are good for, whether they expire, how to cash old USPS money orders, what to do if you lose one, and more.
Why Choose USPS for Money Orders?
Before diving into the expiration policies, it‘s helpful to understand why consumers and businesses opt to purchase USPS money orders in the first place. The USPS offers several advantages compared to banks or other outlets like Western Union or MoneyGram.
Benefits of USPS Money Orders:
Can be purchased at any one of over 31,000 post office locations in the U.S. – far more locations than any bank.
Do not require having an account with the USPS or any bank. Anyone can purchase them.
Maximum value of $1,000 allows them to be used for larger payments like rent.
Small fixed fees regardless of the money order‘s value (currently $1.25 for up to $500).
Widely trusted and recognized since they are issued by the U.S. government.
Secure process that leaves a paper trail, unlike cash payments.
According to the USPS Inspector General, individuals bought approximately 498 million USPS money orders in 2020, valued at over $19 billion. The most common uses were rent payments (39% of purchases) and personal remittances (33% of purchases).
USPS Money Orders Never Expire
Now to the big question – do USPS money orders expire?
The short answer is no, USPS money orders do not have an expiration date. They can technically be cashed at any time in the future.
This differs from most other banks and outlets that issue standard money orders, which tend to have 1-3 year expiration periods printed on the money order itself. But USPS money orders have no such printed timeframe.
There are two key reasons USPS money orders do not expire:
1. No Expiration Date Printed
USPS money orders purposely omit an expiration timeframe. Without a printed expiration, there are no contractual limitations on when the money orders can be processed.
2. Federal Government Obligations
As a federal entity, the USPS is legally obligated to honor outstanding money orders regardless of age, unless they are reported lost or stolen. They cannot invalidate money orders due to time passed.
Essentially, USPS money orders are good indefinitely unless damaged, stolen, or previously cashed.
Cashing Old USPS Money Orders
If you happen to find an old USPS money order buried in a drawer or storage box, you can still cash it in. USPS will verify and process original money orders no matter how many years have passed.
Follow these steps to cash an aged USPS money order:
Take the original money order to any USPS retail location, post office, or USPS-authorized cashing agent.
Present a current government-issued photo ID to confirm your identity as the payee.
You will sign the money order in front of the postal clerk, who will compare your signature to the original.
If you have the money order receipt or purchase stub, bring that as well for extra validation.
As long as the money order is authentic and unmodified, the USPS will honor it regardless of the issue date. I‘d recommend cashing older money orders directly at the Post Office since retail agents may be unfamiliar with how to process them.
Tracking USPS Money Order Status
Wondering if an old USPS money order you found has already been cashed? You can track the status online using the money order number:
Go to the USPS Money Order Inquiry System.
Enter the money order‘s serial number and issue date.
The system will show whether the money order is still outstanding or if it has been paid out.
This lookup tool works indefinitely – there are no time restrictions on when money orders can be tracked.
Comparison of Money Order Expiration Periods
Unlike USPS money orders, most other money orders do carry printed expiration timeframes. Here is a comparison of different money order expiration periods:
| Money Order Provider | Expiration Period |
|---|---|
| USPS | Never expire |
| Western Union | 3 years |
| MoneyGram | 3 years |
| Walmart | 1 year |
| Kroger | 1 year |
So if you need a money order for long-term payments or do not want to worry about expiration, USPS is your best option.
Replacing Lost or Stolen USPS Money Orders
Due to their indefinite validity, extra precautions must be taken if a USPS money order is lost or stolen. Failure to act promptly could allow others to fraudulently cash it long into the future.
Here are steps to take if a USPS money order is lost or stolen:
Immediately notify the USPS to begin investigating. Provide the money order number, value, and issue date.
Complete a USPS PS Form 6401 money order inquiry form to request a stop payment.
USPS will research if it has been cashed and may require you to purchase a surety bond.
After a waiting period, USPS will issue a free replacement money order if deemed lost or stolen.
It‘s critical to begin this process as soon as possible to limit potential fraud. USPS states they will "aggressively defend" payees against stolen money order cashing.
Reasons To Purchase USPS Money Orders
Given that USPS money orders offerpermanent, indefinite payments, why might someone choose them over personal checks or other payment methods?
Reasons to get a USPS money order:
No need for a bank account or checkbook. Useful for unbanked or underbanked individuals.
Added security features like watermarks to prevent fraud.
Payment guarantee if lost – USPS will replace lost money orders.
Accepted for all types of transactions like rent, contractors, deposits, etc.
Can be purchased on weekends, nights, and holidays at 24/7 Post Office Self-Service Kiosks.
Fixed low fees regardless of money order value. Currently $1.25 for amounts up to $500.
Can be used to send payments internationally via USPS international money orders.
So the permanence and security of USPS money orders offer advantages in many payment situations.
The Bottom Line
Unlike most other money orders, USPS money orders do not expire and can be cashed at full value at any time in the future. The USPS is federally mandated to honor all its outstanding money orders regardless of age or condition.
This makes USPS money orders uniquely useful as permanent payment records and for long-term financial needs. Just make sure to safeguard and track promptly if they are ever lost or stolen.
So next time you need to make a payment without a bank account, or want added security and records, consider grabbing a USPS money order – its value will never diminish over time.
