Money Order Online: How to Send via India Post

What is a Money Order?

A Money Order (MO) is a service by India Post that lets you send money to anyone across India — the recipient collects cash at their doorstep through the postman. India Post also offers electronic Money Order (eMO), which can be sent online for faster processing. No bank account is needed by the receiver.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent informational platform and is not affiliated with India Post or the Government of India.

Key Details

Money Order Commission Charges

For amounts above ₹5,000, you need to send multiple Money Orders of ₹5,000 each.

How to Send Money Order Online (eMO) — Step-by-Step

Method 1: eMO via India Post Portal

1. Visit India Post eMO Service
2. Register or log in with your credentials
3. Click on "Send eMO" (electronic Money Order)
4. Enter sender details — name, address, phone number
5. Enter receiver details — name, full address with PIN code, phone number
6. Enter the amount (up to ₹5,000 per eMO)
7. Add an optional message (up to 30 words)
8. Pay the amount + commission online (net banking/debit card)
9. Note the eMO number for tracking
10. The postman delivers cash to the receiver's address

Method 2: At the Post Office (Offline)

1. Visit your nearest post office
2. Fill the Money Order form (MO form available at the counter)
3. Provide receiver's full name and address with PIN code
4. Pay the MO amount + 5% commission in cash
5. Get the MO receipt with tracking number
6. Money is delivered by the postman at the receiver's address

How to Track Money Order

Track eMO Online

1. Visit India Post Tracking
2. Enter your eMO number from the booking receipt
3. View delivery status — booked, in transit, delivered

Track via SMS

• Send POST TRACK to 166
• Receive status via SMS reply

Delivery Process

1. Sender books MO at post office or online
2. MO is transmitted to the destination post office (based on receiver's PIN code)
3. The postman visits the receiver's address with cash
4. Receiver signs the MO receipt and collects the money
5. If receiver is absent, postman leaves a notice to visit the post office

Typical delivery time: 1-3 days for eMO, 3-5 days for traditional MO.

Who Can Send and Receive?

• Any person in India can send a Money Order — no ID required for amounts below ₹50,000 (cumulative)
• Receiver does not need a bank account — cash is delivered at their door
• Useful for sending money to rural areas where banking access is limited
• Government departments also use MO for disbursing payments

Important Tips

1. Double-check the address and PIN code — incorrect details cause delivery failure
2. Use eMO for speed — electronic MO is faster than traditional MO
3. Keep the receipt — it has the tracking number for checking delivery status
4. ₹5,000 limit per MO — for larger amounts, send multiple MOs
5. Inform the receiver — let them know a Money Order is coming so they are available

FAQs

What is the maximum amount for a Money Order?

The maximum amount per Money Order is ₹5,000. For larger amounts, you need to send multiple Money Orders.

What are the Money Order charges?

India Post charges a 5% commission on the Money Order amount, with a minimum charge of ₹25. So for ₹5,000, the commission is ₹250.

How long does a Money Order take to deliver?

eMO (electronic): 1-3 days. Traditional MO: 3-5 days. Delivery time depends on the distance and location.

Can I send a Money Order online?

Yes, you can send an electronic Money Order (eMO) through epostoffice.gov.in. Register, enter receiver details, pay online, and the postman delivers cash.

Does the receiver need a bank account?

No, the receiver does not need a bank account. The postman delivers the cash directly at the receiver's address.

What if the receiver is not at home?

The postman will leave a notice asking the receiver to collect the Money Order from the local post office. The MO is held for a period before being returned to sender.

Can I cancel a Money Order?

Yes, you can request cancellation at the booking post office before the MO is dispatched. After dispatch, cancellation is not possible — you must wait for it to be returned if undelivered.

For tracking your Money Order or Speed Post, see our India Post Tracking guide. If you're looking for savings options at the post office, check our NSC guide.