Frequently Asked Questions

A money transfer control number (MTCN) is a unique 10-digit number assigned to your transfer. You can use the MTCN to track your transfer status.
You can find the MTCN on the receipt of your transfer or log into your profile and go to History, select a transfer to get the MTCN.
Never share your MTCN with anyone except your receiver or a Western Union representative.

To send more than 3,000 USD from the United States, you will need to verify your identity online or at an agent location. Once verified, you can send up to 50,000 USD. The sending limit may vary depending on the destination country and the service you choose.

An amount of over 15,000 USD is considered a large amount money transfer.

To send money with us, you may need to fill in certain information about yourself and your receiver, depending on which send/receive methods you choose.  If you already have a Western Union profile, you may have this information stored in that profile. If not, please keep this information handy when you send money online or visit a Western Union location.   To send or receive money with us through various methods, keep the following information ready. Please choose the method you will be using.

Website or mobile app transfers

• Your Western Union log in information
• Your credit or debit card information
• Your receiver’s first and last name, as it appears on their government-issued ID
• Your receiver’s country, and in some cases their full address

Start online, finish in the store

• Your government-issued ID to be shown at the agent location.
• Your cash or debit card to pay for the transfer amount and fees.
• Your receiver’s first and last name, to be entered as it appears on their government-issued ID.
• Your receiver’s country, and in some cases their full address.

Mobile wallet transfers

• Your mobile phone number
• Your receiver’s first and last name, as it appears on his /her government-issued ID
• Your receiver’s country, and in some cases their full address
• Your receiver’s mobile phone number

Bank account transfers

• Your receiver’s first and last name, as it appears on their government-issued ID
• Your receiver’s country, and in some cases*** their full address
• Your receiver’s phone number
• For a receiving bank located within the US, your receiver’s bank name, receiver’s bank routing number, and receiver’s account number
• For a receiving bank located outside the US, your receiver’s International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and the receiving bank’s Bank Identifier Code (BIC or the receiving country equivalent)

Telephone money transfer

• Your government-issued ID*
• Your credit or debit card information
• Your receiver’s first and last name, as it appears on their government-issued ID
• Your receiver’s country, and in some cases their full address

You must be at least 18 years old with a valid, government-issued ID* to send or receive money with Western Union.

In certain jurisdictions you also have an option to create a test question for your receiver to ensure the security of your transfer. Your receiver will need to present an ID and answer the test question to receive the money.

Sending money with Western Union is easy. There are different ways you can send money to best suit your needs. Please note that you must be at least 18 years old to send or receive money with Western Union.

Send money on westernunion.com

1. Log in to your Western Union® profile or register and verify one for free. Begin your money transfer by clicking ‘Send now’.
2. Select the destination and how much you wish to send.
3. Click on the payout method of your preference.
4. Pay for your money transfer.
5. Look out for a confirmation email containing a tracking number (MTCN).

Send money with the mobile app

1. If you already have the Western Union® money transfer app, log in with Touch ID or your credentials. If you don’t have our app yet, simply download it on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. New users can follow the steps to register a profile with your email address. You can verify your profile using your driver’s license, passport or government-issued ID.
2. Start to transfer money with the app by entering the destination country and the amount you want to send.
3. Choose the payout method that works for you based on your receiver’s country. Enter your receiver’s details.
4. Pay for your money transfer via credit/debit card or with your bank account.
5. We’ll provide a tracking number (MTCN). Share this with your receiver to track the funds.

Send money in person

If you prefer to send money in person, visit a Western Union agent location to send money using cash or, at some agent locations, a debit card.  To save time, you can start your money transfer online and then pay in cash at your preferred agent location, tell the agent you’ve started this money transfer on the app and pay for your money transfer.

Send money by phone

You can send money by phone by calling the Telephone Money Transfer hotline at 1-800-CALL-CASH, if you are sending money from the US to a receiver in the US. Your transfer fee will vary based on the options you choose.

You can find the transfer fee and applicable exchange rates of your transfers online with our price estimator tool.
You may also get special deals and other promotions by registering with our loyalty program  Western Union Rewards, to earn points once your profile is completed and on every qualifying transfer.

You can pay for a money transfer in the US using a credit or debit card, or by making a bank transfer. You may also initiate your transfer using the mobile app and pay cash at participating  Agent locations.

Visit a Western Union Agent location to send money using cash or, in some cases, a debit card.

Western Union accepts Visa^®, MasterCard^®, and Discover^® credit cards*.

*Card issuer cash advance fee and associated interest charges may apply.