How to Send Money by Post

Sending cash through the mail isn't recommended as it can be lost or stolen.

There are three ways to send money using the U.S. Postal Service: sending cash in an envelope, sending a mail order check in an envelope or wiring money for a specific account. The first method is the most risky and not recommended unless you're in a desperate situation. The second two options include a fee the post office charges as well as a limit to how much you can send by money order or wire.

Things You'll Need

• stamps
• envelope
• money

Instructions

Money Order

1. Go to your local post office and buy a money order for the amount you need, up to a maximum of $1,000 for domestic money orders and $700 for international money orders. Pay the additional money order fee. For a domestic money order, the fee is $1.10 for amounts of $500 or less; $1.50 for money orders between $500.01 and $1,000; and 30 cents for military money orders. For international money orders, the fee is $3.85.

2. Make the money order out to whomever you wish to receive it and use that person's legal name.

3. Mail the money order. Save the receipt for the money order in case it is lost or damaged and you wish to make a claim on the post office to replace the money order.

Wire

1. Get the name of the person you wish to transfer money to as it appears exactly on their ID.

2. Check online at the U.S. Postal Service website, or at your local post office, to see if the country you wish to transfer money to participates in the U.S. Postal Service wire transferring program.

3. If country you wish to transfer money to participates in the wire transferring program, pay the $10 to $20 fee the post office requires to complete a money transfer. You can send up to $2,000 a day.

Cash

1. Withdraw all the money in cash you wish to mail from your bank or another source. Use large bills if you're able to so the envelope does not bulge.

2. Visit your local post office and buy an envelope and insurance for your mail. Keep your insurance receipt.

3. Bring extra packaging, such as blank white paper, to the post office. Sandwich the cash between the packaging and before sealing the envelope check that you cannot see your cash through the envelope. If you can't, mail the envelope to whomever you wish to receive the cash.

References

• USPS: Money
• Consumer Action: How to Send Money Home