How To Fill Out A Western Union Money Order

I do not know about you, but western union came through for me years ago when I first moved to the United States. Nowadays, everyone does cash app or other form of Gen Z’s financial technology. Speaking of Gen Z adults, I was chatting with one in a class about sending money home to a grandparent. He was shocked when he learned I had to fill out a western union money order to do that.

Could you believe it?

He did not know what on earth a western union is. I immediately felt my age for the first time after turning 30 a few years ago. Between feeling ancient and embarrassed, I did not know when I just got up and walked away. I supposed you could say we have come far from filling out western union money orders.

Western union has come through for us- the Millennials, not sure how this new generation sends money to remote parts of the world though. Anyways, here is how you could fill a money order correctly.

How To Complete A Western Union Money Order

A western union money order has five parts to it. When you look at the order, you should be able to see the following fields on it.

• Pay Exactly
• Pay To the Order Of
• Payment For/Acc. #
• Purchaser’s Address
• Purchaser’s Signature

I would like to say this is self-explanatory, but it is not. This is because I have made a mistake filling these out before. I had to cancel a western union money order due to a mistake. Trust me, you do not want to do that.

It takes about almost a month to get your money back. I mentioned this difficulty on Refunding Western Union Money Orders article. Anyways, here is what each of the above means for you. This is what I want to fill on each field on the money order.

1. Pay Exactly

On this field, I want you to write out the exact amount you are going to be sending to whoever is going to be receive the money order. This is where your written English skill comes in. I kid you not. You mess this one up, that order is going to be invalid.

Here is what I mean.

$1350 is written as One thousand, three hundred and fifty dollars. It is not written as A thousand three hundred fifty dollars.

This is not me trying to joke. I am serious. You have to write out the amount the correct way. Simply put, a way which is not confusing. If you are having difficulty, you can talk to a Western union agent to help you write this part out. The agents usually help out with it.

2. Pay To the Other Of

This is where you write the name of the person receiving the money order. Be sure to use their legal name as it is on their driver licenses. Western union is ask them for an ID, when they go to cash the money order.

So, any difference in name will make the money order difficult to cash. Scratch that- it will be impossible to cash the money order. This is due to western union strict cashing policy to prevent frauds.

It does not have to be their names. If it is a business, you can ask it how it wants its name to be written. This is since they will be the one cashing the order anyways. The same goes with an individual.

3. Purchaser’s Address

You will put your address on this field. It could be your mailing address or legal address. Here are a list of what to include on your address.

• Street number
• Street name
• Zipcode
• City name
• Your State

Be sure all of the above is correct to avoid canceling a western union money order due to mistakes. This is to avoid issues with cashing the order. I would write it the way it is on my driver’s license. The reason why I am encouraging this is just in case you need to cancel the order. All these information together with your ID will be asked of you.

4. Payment For/Acc. #

This space is the same as a comment section. You write what the payment is for. Or, you do not have to fill it. It does not really matter. It is more of a documentation purpose in case it is a payment you want to acknowledge later.

For example- rent.

You can just write Rent on this section. Personally, I do not write anything on it. Everyone is different. Please do what makes you comfortable.

5. Purchaser’s Signature

This is where you sign your name. You complete a western union money order by signing your name on it. Otherwise, it is useless. It will not be processed.

Oh, there is a place for signature on the back of the order. But, do not sign it. The space is for the person to whom the check is meant for.

What Is A Money Order Limit On Western Union?

On Beginner’s Guide To Western Union Money Orders, I mentioned there is a money order limit on western union. The maximum limit is around $1000. I know- it seems a little, but you have to understand some agent locations you go to get this order are not banks.

The reason why I brought it up, is some locations may offer a lower amount than $1000. This is especially some gas stations. Hence, why I recommend you call your nearest western union agent first before heading out to get an order.

How do I pay my Western Union money order?

I pay with either cash or a debit card at the WU agent locations near me. I do not know where you live, but if it is in the United States, you could do the same too. It is best if you call first before going to an agent location. You will save yourself from potential hiccups.

Now, there may be times when we may not properly fill out a western union money order. A single missing alphabet could make the money order un-cashable. You just have to cancel the money and request for a refund in such as a situation. I wrote about requesting a refund on one of the blue highlighted articles I mentioned previously.

Go and read it please, before you attempting to use western union to send money.

On the whole, I like to be meticulous when I try to complete a western union order form. The hassle involved in getting a refund is a lot. I just hate it and I do not wish anyone to go through it. This is why I encourage you take your sweet time to properly fill out a western union money order. If you have to ask a WU agent to help you out with it, please do.