Can You Cancel a Money Order? Detailed Guide

Money orders are among the most convenient and secure ways to send funds. A huge advantage of this method is that in a lot of cases, you can cancel a money order without much trouble. This can be a lifesaver if you’ve entered the wrong recipient info, your money order is lost, or the payment has become unnecessary.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, there are a few steps you need to take. Read on to learn how to complete the process.

Can You Cancel a Money Order?

The main thing to know about the cancellation is that it can only be done if the order hasn’t been cashed. So, you need to act quickly, as the cashed order cannot be reversed.

You can always check the status of your money order by contacting the provider you’ve used. To do so, you should either contact the issuer’s customer support team or visit their website.

How to Cancel a Money Order

Canceling a money order involves several crucial steps.

Step 1: Reach out to the issuer

The first thing you should do is get in touch with the issuer’s representative, who will provide you with a request form to initiate the cancellation.

Step 2: Complete the form

In the request form, you have to provide the following information:

• Serial number of the money order.
• The amount sent.
• Sender and recipient details.
• Reason for cancelling the money order.

You can find this information on the receipt the issuer provides when you purchase a money order. Depending on the issuer, you can submit the form in person or online.

Step 3: Attach your receipt’s copy

If you still have your receipt, it’s a good idea to attach a copy to your request form.

Step 4: Submit and pay a fee

Once the form is filled out, you have to submit it and pay a fee (the sum varies by issuer). If the money order hasn’t been cashed, you will get a refund. Please note that it may take up to a few weeks for your money to return to your account.

Fees For Canceling a Money Order

Can a money order be cancelled without paying fees? In most cases, the fee is unavoidable. Here are some references as of 2025:

• Western Union

Whether you have a receipt will influence your fee. If you have it, you will have to pay $15. Otherwise, the fee is $30.

• MoneyGram

MoneyGram handles things a bit differently. If you cancel your order within an hour, you won’t be charged at all. In other cases, the provider will claim compensation by not returning the fee you’ve paid when making the order.

• United States Postal Service (USPS)

You will be charged $20.15 for a replacement of the lost money order.

Note that you can only check the status of your money order after you make the payment.

What If the Money Order Was Cashed?

But, how to get money back from a money order if it was cashed? Once the funds from the money order have been collected, there’s little to be done.

If your money has been stolen or cashed illegally, you should inform your local police department. You’ll need to provide a photocopy of the cashed order, which you can get from the issuer. This way, the police can attempt to track down the criminal and potentially recover your money.

What Happens If a Money Order is Lost or Stolen?

If your money order has been stolen, here’s what to do:

• Try to find your receipt

Regardless of what happened to the money order, your first step is to find your receipt. If you’ve lost it, try to remember when and where you bought the money order.

• Contact the provider

Next, collect all the information related to your order. Remember that you can contact the issuer’s customer support for help.

• Complete a loss report

The provider will most likely give you a loss report or a claim to fill out. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a processing fee, and some issuers will also ask you to provide proof of identity or a notary-attested signature.

Final Thought

There is indeed a way to return the money order you’ve sent, and the steps are quite straightforward if the funds haven’t been collected by the recipient. To make the process easier, always keep the receipt you receive with the money order.

If your money order has been lost, you will need to provide its information and complete a loss report provided by the issuer. In cases of fraudulent activity, you’ll also need to contact the police.