Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone who needs to send or receive money quickly uses Western Union. These include people supporting friends or relatives abroad, travellers and business people who need to make fast, international remittances.

Western Union agent locations are independent businesses that provide money transfer services to their customers on behalf of Western Union. In Ireland, that’s FEXCO and An Post.

Western Union agent locations offer the ability to send money worldwide using cash.

You’ll need to complete a “To Send Money” form and pay the agent the amount you want to send, plus fees, in cash.

To pick up the money, the receiver will complete a “To Receive Money” form at any Western Union agent location and provide proper identification. The agent then pays the transfer amount to the receiver.

Sending money with Western Union from an agent location doesn’t require credit cards, debit cards or bank accounts. But you will need to show a valid ID.

You’ll need a primary document, such as a birth certificate, that verifies your full name. You’ll also need a secondary ID, like a utility or hotel bill, that verifies your current address.

You can usually send any amount. However, for certain amounts and transfers, you may be subject to additional security and asked to provide additional information or documentation.

Because of government regulations in Ireland, additional documents or information will be required when you send or receive more than €15,000 during a one-year period. These regulations were put in place to help protect money transfer users in Ireland.

Customers will need a primary ID that verifies their full name, country of birth and date of birth.

Acceptable primary IDs:

1. Current passport
2. Current driving licence
3. National identity card

Customers will also need two forms of secondary ID that verify their address.

Acceptable secondary IDs:

1. The Garda Age Card
2. Work/employer ID card
3. Armed Forces/Garda/PSNI ID card
4. Student ID card with sealed photo
5. Original birth certificate
6. Certificate of registration (GNIB card)
7. Temporary residence card
8. Entitlement letter from the Department of Social Protection
9. Identity confirmation letter issued by the Department of Social Protection
10. Social welfare card issued by the Department of Social Protection
11. Department of Social Protection travel pass/benefit books

Western Union is planning to accept these documents in several other ways. For the most current information, call 1800 395 395

For more information about this process and other Western Union related questions, please call 1800 395 395.

Generally, we will pay cash to your receiver. But, in some cases, payment may be made by cheque or a combination of cash and cheque.

Other restrictions may apply.

Any time after the money has been sent, you can check your transfer status online. All you need is your name and the tracking number (MTCN) printed on your receipt.

You can check your transfer status online. All you need is the sender’s name and the tracking number (MTCN) printed on the sender’s receipt.

You can pick up your money at any agent location. You’ll need to complete a “To Receive Money” form with the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Amount expected
• Sender’s name
• Sender’s city and country

Acceptable ID documents are also required.

Some restrictions may apply.

Each Western Union agent location determines its own hours of operation. Some have extended hours and some even stay open 24 hours.

Find a nearby agent location.

Find a nearby agent location online or look for Western Union in your local telephone directory. In Ireland, call 1800 395 395.