You can get certified funds at a bank or credit union (cashier’s checks and certified checks), at any U.S. post office or many grocery and retail chains (money orders), or through your bank’s website or mobile app if it offers online cashier’s check ordering. Where you go depends on the instrument the recipient will accept, the dollar amount, and how quickly you need the payment in hand.
Banks and Credit Unions
Your own bank or credit union is the most straightforward place to get a cashier’s check or certified check. You fill out a request at the teller window with the payee’s exact name and the amount, the teller verifies your identity and confirms your account holds enough cleared funds, and the bank either debits your account or places an immediate hold. For a cashier’s check, the bank then prints the check drawn on its own funds. For a certified check, the teller stamps your personal check with a certification mark confirming the money is reserved.
Not every bank still offers certified checks. Many have shifted entirely to cashier’s checks, so call ahead if a certified check is specifically what the recipient asked for.
Most banks restrict these services to existing account holders to comply with federal anti-money laundering and customer identification rules.1FFIEC BSA/AML Manual. Assessing Compliance with BSA Regulatory Requirements – Purchase and Sale of Certain Monetary Instruments Recordkeeping Some institutions will issue a cashier’s check to a non-customer, but expect stricter identification and higher fees. Credit unions are sometimes more flexible and may issue cashier’s checks to members of other credit unions.
A cashier’s check or certified check is backed by the issuing bank itself, which is legally obligated to pay when the instrument is presented.2Cornell Law School. UCC 3-412 – Obligation of Issuer of Note or Cashiers Check That guarantee is why they are the standard requirement for real estate closings, vehicle purchases, and court-ordered payments.
Post Offices
Any United States Postal Service location sells domestic money orders for up to $1,000 each.3USPS. Money Orders – The Basics Fees as of 2026 are $2.55 for money orders up to $500 and $3.60 for amounts between $500.01 and $1,000.4USPS. Notice 123 – Price List
You can buy multiple money orders in one visit with no daily purchase limit. If your total purchases in a single day reach $3,000 or more, the post office will require you to complete a Funds Transaction Report and show identification. Pay with cash or a debit card; postal money orders cannot be purchased with a credit card.
The post office is the cheapest and most predictable option for smaller payments, and postal money orders are widely accepted by landlords, small businesses, and government offices. The $1,000 cap per instrument is the main constraint. For a larger payment, you would need to buy several separate money orders, which many recipients will accept but some closing agents will not.
Retail Stores and Grocery Chains
Many grocery stores, convenience stores, check-cashing outlets, and big-box retailers like Walmart sell money orders through third-party providers such as Western Union or MoneyGram. Retail locations often keep longer hours than banks or post offices, which is useful when you need a money order on a weekend or in the evening.
Fees at retail locations typically run a few dollars per money order, though limits and pricing vary by store and provider. Bring the exact amount in cash or a debit card, along with a photo ID for larger purchases.
Online and Mobile Ordering
Some banks and credit unions let you order a cashier’s check through online banking or a mobile app. The bank then mails the check to you or holds it at a branch for pickup. Mail delivery generally takes five to seven business days, with overnight shipping available for an added charge.
Online orders may carry a lower maximum for mailed checks, sometimes around $2,500, with higher amounts available only through branch pickup. If you need a cashier’s check for a time-sensitive closing, factor in the delivery window and consider picking it up at a branch instead. Wire transfers can also be initiated online through your bank; the sending bank verifies and transmits the funds electronically, and domestic wires typically complete the same business day.
What You Need to Bring
Whichever instrument you choose, expect to provide three things:
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID card. The issuer must verify your identity before printing the instrument.1FFIEC BSA/AML Manual. Assessing Compliance with BSA Regulatory Requirements – Purchase and Sale of Certain Monetary Instruments Recordkeeping
- The full legal name of the payee. Once the instrument is printed, changing the payee usually means canceling the original and paying a new fee.
- The exact dollar amount. For cashier’s checks and certified checks, the money must already be cleared in your account; banks will not issue a guarantee against pending deposits. For money orders, you pay at the time of purchase with cash or a debit card.
If you do not have an account at the bank, expect more paperwork. Federal regulations require banks selling monetary instruments to non-account holders for $3,000 or more in cash to record your name, address, Social Security or alien identification number, date of birth, and the specific identifying information from your ID.1FFIEC BSA/AML Manual. Assessing Compliance with BSA Regulatory Requirements – Purchase and Sale of Certain Monetary Instruments Recordkeeping Some banks apply similar documentation rules below that threshold as a matter of internal policy.
Hold onto the receipt the issuer gives you. It contains the tracking or serial number you will need if the instrument is ever lost or stolen, and it is the fastest way to prove you bought it.
What Each Option Costs
Fees depend on the instrument and where you get it.
- Cashier’s checks at major banks generally cost around $10 per check for standard account holders. Some institutions waive the fee for customers with premium checking or savings accounts. Credit unions often charge less and may offer free cashier’s checks as a membership perk.
- Postal money orders cost $2.55 for amounts up to $500 and $3.60 for $500.01 to $1,000.4USPS. Notice 123 – Price List
- Retail money orders from grocery stores and convenience chains typically cost between $1 and $5.
- Wire transfers are generally the most expensive option, often running $25 to $35 for domestic transfers, though some online banks offer free or reduced-cost wires.
Which Option Fits Your Situation
Match the instrument to the payment. For a real estate closing or a large vehicle purchase, the closing agent or seller will usually specify a cashier’s check or a wire transfer, and no other instrument will do. Go to your bank’s branch, bring the payee information the closing agent provided, and get the check the day of or the day before closing so it does not sit unused.
For rent, a security deposit, a court filing fee, or a payment to a small business, a money order is often accepted and costs far less. Use the post office if it is open when you need it, or a nearby grocery or retail location for evening and weekend hours. Remember the $1,000 cap on domestic postal money orders.
For everyday online ordering, your bank’s app is convenient when you have time to wait for the mail. It is a poor choice when a closing date is close, because the delivery window can eat several days.
One caution on timing: cashier’s checks and certified checks do not technically expire, but banks may treat them as stale after 90 to 180 days and refuse to cash them without additional verification. Deposit or hand over the instrument as soon as you have it, and if plans change and the check is not going to be used, take it back to the issuing bank promptly to be voided and refunded.