What Is a Postal Order? How It Works, What It Costs, and When to Use One in the UK

What is a postal order?

A postal order is a prepaid paper payment issued by the UK Post Office. You pay cash up front, and the Post Office issues a paper certificate for that amount. The recipient can then cash it at any Post Office branch or pay it into a bank account.

Postal orders are different from cash because you can name a person or company to be the only one who can receive the payment. They’re also not the same as a cheque, because payment is guaranteed since it was paid for in cash ahead of time. If you’ve recently moved to the UK and are in the process of setting up a bank account, a postal order can be a safer way to make some types of payments while you’re getting settled.

At Remitly, we know it’s important to have dependable ways of sending money. Although postal orders are slower than more modern methods of sending money, they’re a great option for sending money without a bank account because of their security and reliability.

Key facts about postal orders:

• Postal orders are only issued by the UK Post Office.
• The postal order value can be from 50p up to £250.
• You can buy multiple postal orders when you need to send larger sums.
• They’re valid for 6 months after the purchase date.
• They’re often used for official payments, like visa or document payments.

How does a postal order work?

If you’re new to the UK, knowing how postal orders work can make unfamiliar payment processes a bit easier. Buying and sending a postal order is simple and only takes a few steps.

Sending a postal order

Here’s how to buy and send a postal order:

• Visit your local Post Office.
• Pay the amount you want to send in cash only. There will be a fee for purchasing the postal order, which depends on the amount you’re sending.
• Fill in the recipient’s name clearly.
• Store your receipt in a safe place as proof of purchase.
• Send or give the postal order to the recipient and wait for them to cash it.

Receiving a postal order

This is how a postal order works for the person receiving it:

• If the postal order is uncrossed, the recipient can take it to any Post Office branch to exchange it for its cash value.
• The Post Office may ask for a valid photo ID before an uncrossed postal order is cashed.
• If the postal order is crossed, it will need to be paid into a UK bank account.

Postal orders are valid for up to 6 months after the date they were purchased. If you try to redeem one that’s more than 6 months old, the Post Office may refuse to give you cash.

Choosing crossed vs uncrossed postal orders

Before you rush to the Post Office, it’s worth keeping in mind that there are two types of postal orders you can choose from. While these don’t make much of a difference when you’re sending the money, the recipient may prefer one type over another. It’s important to make sure you get the right one for the right situation.

• Crossed postal orders: These can be paid into a bank account of the named person or company named in a similar way to a cheque. They have two vertical lines on the front of them.
• Uncrossed postal orders: These can be cashed in at any UK Post Office.

It’s best to find out what type of postal order you need before you buy one. If you’re sending a payment to a company or a government department, a crossed postal order is usually the preferred option.

How much does a postal order cost in the UK in 2026?

The fees for UK postal orders in 2026 range from 50p to £12.50. The fee depends on the value of the postal order:

Post Office, August 2026.

Only one person or company can redeem each postal order, so you’ll need to buy more than one if you want to make payments to different people.

The maximum amount of money you can send using one postal order is £250, so you’ll need to buy more postal orders if you want to send more. Depending on how much you’re sending, this could mean you need to buy several postal orders and pay several lots of fees.

When should you use a postal order?

Postal orders are ideal for times when reliability and security matter for your payment, such as when dealing with official paperwork. Some of the most common uses include:

• Visa fee payments to the Home Office.
• Birth certificate requests from the General Register Office (GRO).
• Paying court fees to HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
• Sending rent payments to a landlord.
• Sending money by post, as it’s safer than sending cash.

Because you can buy a postal order without a bank account, credit card, or cheque book, they’re useful for people who want to make payments without the risk of sending cash in the post. Crossed postal orders offer a safe way to pay bills or fees to the named person or company without needing a current or savings account.

Postal orders aren’t the right choice for every situation. If you’re sending large amounts of money, you need the funds to arrive quickly, or you’re sending money internationally, you should consider other ways to make the payment.

What to do if a postal order is lost or stolen

Losing a postal order can be a major inconvenience, and it’s natural to feel a little panicked over it; you’ll be losing money, after all. There are still steps you can take. You could have your postal order refunded or replaced under certain conditions. Here’s what to do:

• Go to your local Post Office.
• Ask for a P58 claim form and fill it in.
• Send it to the Royal Mail address on the form along with your proof of purchase.

Once you’ve submitted the P58 form, you might have to wait to hear back. Responses can take up to 35 days, according to the Post Office. You should get either a replacement or a refund, minus the original fee. Before you send the form, make sure you take a copy of your receipts or original documents.

What if a postal order’s already been cashed?

If the postal order has been cashed after it was lost or stolen, getting your money back can be a bit of a challenge. But it’s not impossible. You should report the theft to the police so you can get a Crime Reference Number. Then, provide your receipt and a copy of the postal order to the Post Office.

Tips for using postal orders safely

While postal orders are secure, it’s a good idea to follow these tips to make sure everything goes smoothly:

• Write names clearly: If names aren’t legible, the postal order might not be deliverable or cashable. Write clearly and avoid leaving any blanks. If the recipient can’t cash the postal order, you might have to claim a refund and send another postal order, which will delay your payment.
• Always keep receipts and a copy of the postal order: If a mistake happens and the recipient doesn’t get the postal order, a receipt helps prove you sent it originally. Take a photocopy of the front and back of the postal order itself before you send it; you might be asked for the ID number on the back if you need to claim a refund.
• Use recorded delivery: If you mail a postal order, consider tracked delivery with a signature so the recipient must sign when they receive it, giving you proof it was delivered safely.

While they may take a little extra time, these steps reduce the risk of fraud or loss and put you in a better position to claim a refund later, if needed.

Frequently asked questions about postal orders in the UK

What is a postal order?

Postal orders are paper documents that offer a way to send money without posting cash. You pay for them in cash and give or post them to other people and companies that accept them.

What are the postal order fees for 2026?

In 2026, the current postal order fees cost from 50p up to £12.50, depending on the cash value.

Where can you buy postal orders?

Postal orders can only be bought in person from Post Office branches. You can find your local branch on the Post Office website.

Can you buy a postal order without a bank account?

Yes. Postal orders are ideal for anyone without a bank account. They’re paid for in cash and can be cashed out at any UK Post Office branch.

When to use crossed vs uncrossed postal orders?

Crossed postal orders can only be paid into the bank account of the person or company named on the order. These are usually preferred by companies or government departments.

Uncrossed postal orders can be cashed out at any Post Office branch, so the recipient doesn’t need a bank account. You can sometimes use them instead of cash to pay for goods or mail order items.

Do postal orders expire?

Postal orders are valid for 6 months after they’ve been issued. After this, the Post Office can refuse to allow you to cash them. If you bought the postal order, you’ll need to contact the Post Office to request a refund. Your original fee won’t be refunded.

Are postal orders still accepted by government departments?

Although electronic payments are more common, some government departments still accept postal orders. These include:

• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA): You can use postal orders for things like driving licence applications and paying fines.
• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Accepted for some types of payments, such as VAT.
• HM Courts & Tribunals Service: You can pay court fees by postal order if you use a paper claim form.
• HM Passport Office (HMPO): Accepted for postal passport applications and those using the Post Office Passport Check and Send service. The HMPO also accepts postal orders for the payment of copies of birth, death, marriage, or civil partnership certificates.

Key takeaways

• Postal orders can be bought from the Post Office using cash for amounts from 50p up to £250.
• Postal order fees cost between 50p and £12.50.
• Uncrossed postal orders can be cashed at a Post Office branch. You might be asked to show your ID when you cash in a postal order. Crossed postal orders need to be paid into a UK bank account.
• They’re valid for 6 months from the date of purchase; after that, the Post Office can refuse to cash them.
• If your postal order is lost in the post, you’ll need to send form P58 to Royal Mail along with the postal order details and your receipt. They aim to reply within 35 days.

Start using postal orders with confidence

Postal orders might feel like a throwback to simpler times, but they remain a safe and secure way to make payments in the UK. Postal orders offer peace of mind when you’re making some types of government payments or other official expenses.

If you’re settling into life in the UK, you may also need to learn about other ways to manage your money, from understanding UK tax to managing bank accounts. When you need to send money internationally, Remitly makes it easy to transfer around the world.

Last reviewed: August 2026

This article was fact-checked against Post Office’s official postal order fees and terms, and reflects guidance current as of the review date above.