How do you fill out a money order?
SE from Tucson, AZ
Its sort of like a cheque, on the top line
by the amount fill in the name of the
person who will be cashing the money order.
At the bottom on the left sign your name and at
the right your address.
Depends upon the form of it. Advice: Write the name of the person you are making it out to very small SO THAT you can ALSO write OR " _______" inserting your OWN name beside it, IF YOU HAVE A BANK ACOUNT, because if you EVER make a mistake or need to NOT use the money order as you first intended, you can simply endorse the back with your own name and deposit it into your bank account without problems. The secret is in using "or" and your own name at the same time and in the same ink when you FIRST FILL THE MONEY ORDER OUT.
However, if you have NO bank account, get help in filling it out from one who sells them so you will NOT make a mistake and have to wait 30 days or more and pay a few to correct it and to get your money back. Hope you can understand what I am trying to say? Good luck and God bless.
1. Write the name of the person or company whom you wish to pay on the"Payee","Pay to,"or"Pay to the order of" line. Also write your account number with the company to which you are sending the money order, or include any other important identifying information on this line if there is no other line designated for this information. Fill in this information right away so that the money order cannot be cashed by anybody else if it"s lost or stolen.
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Can a money order be filled out to two parties on the payee line
For example:
James Smith or Gemi Smith
Money orders are the same as checks or even cash. This should be fine to fill it out this way. Just in case contact the bank first before doing this.
You should be very careful when putting 2 names on a money order as the USPS does not always go by the same rules as the banking world.
As a general rule it has always been accepted that 2 names on a money order or check would have to be signed by both parties unless there is an 'or' placed between the names.
Some banks will accept for deposit if both parties signed without both parties being present but the rules for this are numerous so always check with your bank before depositing something like this.
I worked in management in the postal service for over 26 years and this one subject came up many, many times as postal employees (even managers) cannot know/remember all the rules especially on subjects they may only encounter once every 2-3 years.
You do not say if you are buying the money order but if this is the case then be sure you know how to place the names on the payee line.
Two names without 'or' between the names requires both parties to be present to cash it either at the post office or a bank. This also applies if there is 'and' between the names.
Here is the official USPS rules:
14.3.5 More Than One Payee
A money order addressed to more than one payee is paid to either payee if the conjunction "or" is used to connect the payees. If no conjunction is used, then all listed payees must sign the money order in the presence of the accepting employee and provide photo-bearing identifications.
