 TITLE: What Is a Cashier’s Check and How Does it Work? CONTENT: Cashier's Check vs. Certified Check vs. Money Order\n---------------------------------------------------\nWhile some recipients may require a cashier's check to complete a transaction, you may be able to use a certified check or money order instead in some situations.\n### Certified Check\nA certified check is a type of personal check that's drawn from your account rather than the bank's or credit union's reserves. But as added security, the issuing bank or credit union certifies that funds were available for the amount of the check at the time you wrote it.\nThe bank or credit union also verifies that the signature on the check is genuine and sets aside the amount to be used only for that transaction. That action essentially guarantees the check won't bounce.\nA certified check may be a good option when the purchase is large enough that you can't use a money order, and using cash or a personal check would be impractical.\n### Money Order\nA money order is another form of payment that provides more security than a personal check.\nMoney orders are similar to cashier's checks in that they are both prepaid and guaranteed by the issuer of the check instead of the person buying it. With a money order, however, the guarantor is typically a company like Western Union, the U.S. Postal Service or a retailer like Walmart, and not a bank or credit union.\nMoney orders are also typically more convenient to buy versus a cashier's check or certified check due to their wider availability. If you need to send money securely or make a utility or rent payment, a money order may suffice. Money orders typically have a $1,000 limit, however, which means it may not be an option if you need to make a large purchase. END