MoneyGram requires a valid, government-issued photo ID to send or receive money, ensuring it is not expired or damaged. Accepted forms include a driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, military ID, or permanent resident card. The ID must display your legal name, which must match the transfer records.
Reference Number: Ask your sender for the reference number for the transaction. This number is on the receipt and included in confirmation emails for online transfer. ID: You will need to bring a valid photo ID (passport, national ID or residence permit) and may also be asked to provide proof of your address.
To send or receive MoneyGram, you need a valid government-issued photo ID (like a passport, driver's license, or national ID), the recipient's full name matching their ID, and the sender's details; you'll also need the 8-digit reference number to pick up money, with potential requirements for proof of address or extra info depending on the agent and country.
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You must verify the consumer's identity by viewing a valid government issued photo identification that contains the person's name and address, such as a valid (non-expired) driver's license or other government-issued ID card.
Prepare for pick up
You will need two items to collect your money: A valid photo ID. The 8-digit reference number from your sender.
MoneyGram Account is available to U.S. residents with a valid, unexpired government ID plus SSN or ITIN.
The safety of your money transfer is important to us. To prevent fraud and help keep your money safe, MoneyGram requires you to show a valid ID to complete all money transfer transactions. Verifying that people are who they say they are helps reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a scam or fraud.
Bank and wire transfer services may require:
The sender's valid government-issued photo ID or driver's license. The sender's full name and contact information. The sender's bank account and transit number. The recipient's full name and contact information.
Unverified and Sponsored accounts can send and receive up to $1,000 on a rolling 30-day period. There's also a total account limit of $1,500. Once you reach these limits, we'll prompt you to verify your identity in-app.
You will need your receiver's full legal name, address, mobile number, bank-issued eligible debit card number and expiration date. Or, in eligible countries, you can give us your receiver's mobile phone number, and they'll receive a text asking them to enter their own card information.
Yes, you almost always need a valid, government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license or passport) to cash a money order, and sometimes even to purchase one, especially for larger amounts, due to federal regulations like the Patriot Act. The name on the ID must match the recipient's name on the money order exactly to prevent fraud.
Find a convenient MoneyGram location near you. Bring your valid ID, receiver's information, and the money you want to send.
Western Union requires everyone to register and verify their identity before sending money. This helps prevent fraud and money laundering.
Things to remember when you come in-store
Valid forms of ID generally include government-issued photo IDs like U.S. passports, state driver's licenses (especially REAL ID compliant), Permanent Resident Cards, and U.S. military IDs, as these establish both identity and often citizenship/legal status, with other accepted documents depending on the context (e.g., travel, employment, banking). For many uses, a primary photo ID is needed alongside a secondary document (like a Social Security card or utility bill) if the primary lacks certain info like date of birth, though some situations only require one strong primary ID.
1: Find a convenient MoneyGram location near you. 2: Bring your reference number and valid photo ID with you for pick up. Reference Number: Ask your sender for the reference number for the transaction. This number is on the receipt and included in confirmation emails for online transfer.
With Mama Money, you can register and send money using various forms of identification, not just a South African ID. Whether you have a passport, a foreign ID, or asylum or refugee documents, Mama Money makes it possible for you to stay connected with your loved ones and meet your financial commitments without hassle.
MoneyGram transfers are generally fast, often available in minutes for cash pickup or mobile wallet/debit card delivery, but can take longer (hours to days) for bank deposits or when using bank transfers for payment, depending on payment method, country, banking hours, and regulations. Using a debit card for payment speeds things up significantly, while bank transfers can take 1-3 business days to clear.
While both Western Union and MoneyGram allow you to send money to all countries worldwide, the support for sending countries is more robust in the case of Western Union. Western Union 🏆 has better coverage of global countries and currencies as compared to MoneyGram.
Yes, MoneyGram is generally safe for sending money to people you know and trust, using strong encryption and identity verification to protect transactions, but it's crucial to avoid scams by never sending money to strangers or for unexpected "winnings," as once sent to a scammer, the funds are usually lost, similar to sending cash. MoneyGram employs security measures like data encryption and required ID for pick-ups to prevent fraud, but user vigilance against common cons (like fake checks or rental scams) is essential for safety.
To prevent fraud and help keep your money safe, MoneyGram requires you to show a valid ID to complete all money transfer transactions. Verifying that people are who they say they are helps reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a scam or fraud. We want you to be prepared when sending or receiving money.
No. The MTCN and a valid ID are required for cash pickup. Without them, your receiver will not be able to collect the transfer.
To send or receive MoneyGram, you need a valid government-issued photo ID (like a passport, driver's license, or national ID), the recipient's full name matching their ID, and the sender's details; you'll also need the 8-digit reference number to pick up money, with potential requirements for proof of address or extra info depending on the agent and country.