How to Send Money
to a Federal Inmate
Explore our step-by-step guide for sending money to a federal inmate.
How to Send Money
Tips to Remember
Always wait until the inmate has physically arrived at their BOP facility before transferring money.
Transaction fees usually vary based on the amount to be transferred. If you make frequent, small transfers you will pay more fees over time. To save money, consider fewer, larger transfers.
The maximum allowed by the BOP at one time is $300.
3 Options for Sending Money to a Federal Inmate
Click on a logo below for that method’s set-by-step guide.
Send Money to a Federal Inmate with MoneyGram
To start, click the button below to go directly to MoneyGram’s page for sending money to inmates.
Click the link that says “Pay Bills” circled in blue.
7932
Enter 7932, the Receive Code for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and click Pay Bill.
You will not enter the inmate’s specific BOP facility. The Inmate Number you enter later will ensure the funds go to the proper account.
Enter the amount you want to send and follow the instructions on the screen.
At this point you will need to either log into your account or create a new account.
Under BILLER ACCOUNT NUMBER enter the Inmate Number without the dash. (ex: 12345123)
Make sure to enter the inmate’s legal first and last names.
All that is left to do is enter your billing information and complete the transaction.
Funds should be available to the inmate the same day.
Send Money to a Federal Inmate with Western Union
To start, click the button below to go directly to Western Union’s page for sending money to inmates.
For Correctional facility, start typing “Federal Bureau of Prisons” and it will autofill for you. Select it and click Continue.
You will not enter the inmate’s specific BOP facility. The Inmate Number you enter later will ensure the funds go to the proper account.
Enter the amount you want to send, the inmate’s legal first and last names, and the Inmate Number without the dash.
Follow the prompts on the screen to continue.
At this point you will need to either log into your account or create a new account.
All that is left to do is enter your billing information and complete the transaction.
Funds should be available to the inmate the same day.
Send Money to a Federal Inmate with USPS
Send a money order with the inmate’s full name and 8-digit register number to the BOP’s central processing location, not to the inmate’s specific facility.
The BOP will not accept personal checks, cash, or any other item.
Funds should be available shortly after the money order arrives in Des Moines.
