How to Wire Someone Money
Wiring money gives you the ability to pay for services and items, send money to friend and family or even pay your financial obligations, such as utility bills. Wiring money involves a quick transaction---assuming you have all the correct information---between you and either a money-transfer service or a bank. Some instant money wires---such as those done by MoneyGram or Western Union---take only a matter of minutes or hours in some cases.
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Instructions
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Money-Wire Service
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Find a local money transfer office near you---examples include MoneyGram.com and WesternUnion.com. Click on the "location" section and input your information, such as state, street address and ZIP code. Write down the address of a nearby money-wire office.
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Collect the cash that you want to send. Confirm the amount with the person to whom you're sending the money. Withdraw cash from your personal bank account or automated teller machine, making sure to withdraw extra money to cover the money-transfer fees. Fees charged for money wires depend on the particular service you use.
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Go to the money-wire transfer office. Take the money you want to send. Bring an authentic form of identification---such as driver's license, state identification or passport.
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Fill out a "send" or "money transfer" form. Complete as much detail about the transaction as possible, including the full name and location of the person to which you're sending money. Give the form to the office clerk and show your identification. Write down the money transfer control number (MTCN) or other reference number for the transaction after it has been completed.
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Give the reference number or MTCN to the recipient. Inform the recipient that she will need this when collecting the money. Also, advise the recipient to take proof of identification.
Bank Wire
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Get the appropriate banking information of the person to whom you're wiring money. Ask the recipient to write down the name of his bank, bank account number and the ABA routing number of the bank, and note whether the account is a checking or savings account. Also, get the name and information of any intermediary banks which the recipient's bank uses to collect money wires, as is the case with some credit unions and smaller community banks.
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Gather the appropriate amount of money. Confirm with the recipient the total amount you'll be wiring. Withdraw the money through an automated teller machine (ATM) using your debit card, or use whatever withdrawal method you typically use.
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Go to the bank or credit union with which you do business. Take the recipient's banking information and money you want to wire. Hand the information to the bank teller and inform her that you want to complete a bank wire. Sign any forms, as needed. Inquire about the length of time needed for the bank wire to be completed. Most domestic bank wires can be completed in as little as three to five business days, whereas it may take up to three weeks for international money wires.
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Tell the recipient that you completed the bank wire. Inform him of the approximate time period needed for his bank to receive the money. Tell the recipient to let you know when he has received the money.
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Tips & Warnings
Sign up and use an online money-transfer service such as PayPal, NETELLER or AlertPay. These services do not offer wire services directly, but allow you to sign up, deposit money via bank transfers and transfer money between your online account and a recipient's account.
Never wire money to a person or entity whom you do not know or have never met.
Beware of scams that require you to wire a seemingly small amount of money in return for a promised large amount of money.
