How to get a money order to send to Canada

jomomang

Sorry if this is the wrong board.

I need to get a copy of my late father-in-law's birth certificate from Canada.

I am unable to do this on line as they require a copy of his death certificate to be posted to them with the completed application form and payment.

The problem I have is with payment for the service. They either want a cheque - not possible as I don't have a Canadian bank account - or money order, which I understand to be like a banker's draft but for foreign currency. The only place I can see that I can get a money order from is Western Union, but any agents for them that I can find only do electronic transfers, not an option in this case.

Has anyone got any idea how I can solve this please?

HobgoblinBT

Does your bank offer Canadian dollar drafts? EG Google reveals that Santander offers this service to their own customers.

friolento

CHATGPT says:

If you need a money order (or bank draft) in Canadian dollars (CAD) while in the UK, you usually have to get it from a bank or a foreign-exchange service. Not every place issues money orders in foreign currencies, so here are the most common options.

1️⃣ UK Banks (best option for an official “bank draft”)

Most UK banks can issue a foreign currency bank draft in Canadian dollars.

Examples:

• HSBC
• Barclays
• Lloyds Bank
• NatWest

Ask for a “bank draft in Canadian dollars” (this is usually what people mean when they say money order internationally).

Typical details:

• Fee: ~£10–£30
• Processing time: sometimes same day, sometimes a few days
• You may need to be a customer of the bank.

2️⃣ The Post Office (sometimes possible)

Some branches of the UK Post Office Ltd offer international payment services and travel money. They can easily sell Canadian dollar cash, but for a money order or draft you may need to check a larger branch. 

3️⃣ Foreign-exchange / travel-money companies

Some travel money providers may help arrange drafts or at least point you to a bank.

Examples:

• Hays Travel
• Sainsbury’s Bank

They mainly provide Canadian dollar currency or prepaid cards rather than paper money orders. 

✅ Important:

For official payments (immigration, universities, government fees, etc.), they usually require a bank draft, not a simple money order. In the UK, banks issue drafts much more commonly than money orders.

✔️ Quick recommendation:

Go to your bank and ask for a “bank draft in Canadian dollars payable to [name]” — that’s the standard solution.

✅ If you want, tell me:

• Which city in the UK you’re in
• Who the payment is for (e.g., IRCC, university, etc.)

…and I can suggest the easiest specific place to get the right type of payment.

jomomang

Thank you so much for your replies. If only I’d known that I should have been searching for bank draft instead of money order.

I have a Santander account so just need to find a branch that’s still open!

friolento

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81922400#Comment_81922400

you can just call them ☎️