How to Send Money to a Federal Inmate via MoneyGram (BOP guidance)

You can send money to a federal inmate through MoneyGram's ExpressPayment Program. The BOP receives and processes these payments seven days a week, holidays included, so there's no need to avoid weekends.

The most common hang-up is the account number format. For BOP MoneyGram payments, the account number is the inmate's eight-digit register number (no spaces, no dashes) followed immediately by their last name. Example: 12345678DOE.

You'll also need the MoneyGram Receive Code for the Federal Bureau of Prisons: 7932. For the beneficiary, enter the inmate's full committed name (their full legal name as it appears in BOP records).

Send funds between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. EST and the payment typically posts to the inmate's account within 2 to 4 hours.

Send after 9:00 p.m. EST and it posts at 7:00 a.m. EST the following morning.

Using MoneyGram online? You can send up to $300 per transaction.

1. Call MoneyGram for locations - Use 1-800-926-9400 to find the nearest MoneyGram agent.
2. Use MoneyGram’s website agent locator - Search for a nearby agent location online if you prefer not to call.

Common Mistakes

• ✓ Sending before the inmate has physically arrived at a BOP facility (this can cause delays and confusion)
• ✓ Entering the account number with spaces or dashes, instead of an 8-digit register number followed immediately by the last name (example: 12345678DOE)
• ✓ Misspelling the inmate’s last name in the account number
• ✓ Using the wrong Receive Code (the BOP Receive Code is 7932)
• ✓ Listing the wrong beneficiary name, instead of the inmate’s full committed name

1. Re-check the account number format - Confirm you entered the inmate’s 8-digit register number (no spaces or dashes) followed immediately by the last name (example: 12345678DOE).
2. Confirm you used the right timing window - Payments sent between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. EST typically post within 2 to 4 hours.
3. If you sent it late, wait for the next posting time - Payments sent after 9:00 p.m. EST post at 7:00 a.m. EST the following morning.
4. Make sure the inmate has arrived at the BOP facility - If they have not physically arrived yet, wait to send. The sender is responsible for correct details.
5. Contact MoneyGram if the transaction still is not showing - Call 1-800-926-9400 or use MoneyGram’s website to locate an agent and get help tracking the payment.