NEWS: The U.S. Postal Service has introduced a newly redesigned money order.
The new design, released in February 2025, enhances security features to deter counterfeiting and other fraudulent activities.
The current postal money order (“legacy,”) is being sold until stock is depleted.
The newly designed money order features a new bank routing number and is red, white, and blue in color. It is being phased into public circulation and will eventually be available at all Post Office locations. “Both designs will continue to be accepted at postal retail units and financial institutions as trusted forms of payment,” the Postal Service says.
Additional information is available on the Sending Money Orders page on the USPS website. Also, see this set of Frequently Asked Questions.
Security features
While the Postal Service says that it cannot disclose every new security element, some of the new features include watermarks, a security thread, and a Quick Response (QR) code that directs to the USPS website.
Here’s a comparison of the new and old versions of the postal money orders.
Legacy green postal money order
This version has:
- Green coloring at the top and bottom.
- A U.S. Mail eagle logo in the center.
If you look closely and hold the money order up to the light, you should see:
- Watermarks of Ben Franklin on the left side repeat top to bottom (circle 1 on image).
- On the right of the Franklin watermark, a vertical, multicolored security thread with the letters “USPS” weaves in and out of the paper (circle 2 on image).
- A faint image of a flag stretching from the multicolored security thread to the right side.
- Check the dollar amount (circle 3 on image). Make sure that it’s imprinted twice (circle 4 on image) and that the amount isn’t too large. Domestic money orders can’t be more than $1,000.
This version has red and blue coloring with:
- Subtle design features of an eagle head and an American flag.
- A QR Code® in the center. You can scan this with your smartphone to go to the Check Money Order Status tool.
If you look closely and hold the money order up to the light, you should see:
- A watermark image of a Pony Express rider.
- The words “United States Postal Service” in a rectangular box.
- A security thread that runs from the top to the bottom of the money order, just to the right of the Pony Express rider watermark. In the light, the thread reveals the letters “USPS” alternating right side up and upside down throughout the thread.
Suspect a fake?
If you think the credit union or a member has been given a fake money order, contact the Money Order Verification System at 1-866-459-7822.
Anyone who suspects fraud can call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.