How to Track a Money Order

Using a money order to send money or pay a bill is similar to writing a check. Each money order has serial or tracking number on them that allow the money order to be tracked. When you purchase a money order its important to retain the receipt to have a valid record of the tracking number.

What You'll Need:

• Original receipt from the purchase of the money order


• Torn-off portion of the money order that you don't mail

Tracking a Post Office Money Order

1.  For a money order purchased from a post office you'll need to bring along your purchase receipt along with the torn of portion, or receipt, from the original money order. This is the portion of the money order that has a perforated edge that you can easily tear off. Its important to retain this for your records when you need to validate any information pertaining to the money order.

2.  Once you have arrived at the post office, completely fill out a Postal Form 6401 and pay the associated fee to have the money order tracked.

3.  After the U.S. Postal Service has completed the tracking, assuming the money order has not been cashed, stolen or lost, the value amount of the money order will be returned to you in cash. If the money order was cashed, a representative will be able to tell you where it was cashed.

Tracking a Western Union Money Order

1.  Retain the receipt for the money order and make note of the serial number on it. Complete a Consumer Service Affidavit Form from a Western Union authorized merchant. Fill in the serial number, sign and have the form notarized.

2.  Mail the notarized form along with any associated fees to Western Union at Integrated Payment Systems, P.O. Box 7030, Englewood, CO 80155-7030.

3.  If the money order has found not to be cashed, the purchase amount of the money order will be returned to you. However, if the money order was cashed, a photocopy of the front and back of the money order will be sent to you. The process generally takes up to 30 days to complete.