Beyond MoneyGram: discover every real way to send money to a loved one in jail, from kiosks to mail, with no hidden fees.
Families trying to support someone in county jail often hear "MoneyGram" as if it were the only option. The question of how can you deposit money besides thru Money Gram comes up constantly, and the answer matters more than most people realize — because the wrong method can delay funds for days, trigger fees that eat into limited budgets, or worse, land money on a lookalike payment site that pockets it entirely. This guide walks through every legitimate deposit channel available today, compares the real-world tradeoffs of each, and names the services families most commonly encounter so you can make an informed choice before you send a single dollar.
Why Deposit Options Vary by Facility
No single national system controls how county jails accept inmate funds. Each facility — and in many cases each county sheriff's office — contracts with a vendor of its choosing, or uses its own internal trust account system. That means the channel your cousin used at one facility may not exist at all in a different county.
State correctional systems and county jails often operate completely different payment rails. A state prison might accept only one exclusive contracted vendor, while the county jail down the road may accept walk-in cash kiosk deposits, mailed money orders, and an online payment portal from a different company entirely.
This fragmentation is the first thing families need to understand. Before choosing any deposit method, verify the exact channels the specific facility accepts. Most facility websites list the approved vendor in their visitation or commissary section, and many vendors provide a facility-search tool to confirm compatibility before you enter your card number.
Getting this step right saves time, money, and frustration. Sending funds through a channel the facility does not recognize means the money sits in limbo, gets returned after a delay, or requires a dispute process that can take weeks.
Online Payment Portals
The most widely used alternative to MoneyGram is a web-based deposit portal operated by a contracted commissary and payment vendor. These portals allow families to use a debit or credit card to transfer funds directly into an inmate's trust account without visiting a physical location.
The transaction typically settles within minutes to a few hours, though some facilities batch-process deposits and may not credit accounts until the following business day. Fees vary by vendor and transaction size, and they are charged to the sender, not deducted from the recipient's account in most cases — though you should read the fee disclosure on each portal before completing a transaction.
Online portals are often the fastest and most convenient channel, particularly for families who live far from the facility or who cannot travel easily. Many portals are mobile-optimized, meaning the transaction can be completed entirely on a smartphone in a few minutes.
One practical note: create an account on the portal before your first deposit. Doing so preserves your transaction history, speeds up future deposits, and makes it easier to contact support if a transaction needs to be traced.
Lobby and Kiosk Deposits
Many county jails and detention centers install cash-accepting kiosks in the facility lobby or in a dedicated visitor services area. These machines accept cash — typically bills in specific denominations — and credit the inmate's account almost immediately upon successful processing.
Kiosk deposits are particularly valuable for families who do not have a bank account or debit card, since cash is the only currency required. The kiosk vendor prints a receipt that serves as proof of deposit, which is important to keep if any dispute arises about whether the funds were received.
Some kiosks also accept debit or credit cards in addition to cash, giving families flexibility at the point of deposit without requiring advance setup online. The interface walks users through selecting the facility, entering the inmate's booking number or name, and confirming the amount before finalizing the transaction.
The limitation with kiosk deposits is geography. You must travel to either the facility lobby or, in some cities, a participating retail location where the kiosk vendor has placed additional machines. Hours of operation also vary — some lobby kiosks are only accessible during visiting hours rather than around the clock.
Money Orders Sent by Mail
Mailing a money order remains a widely accepted deposit method at facilities that do not have exclusive vendor contracts for electronic payments. Money orders can be purchased at post offices, many grocery stores, and check-cashing outlets without a bank account.
The money order must be made payable exactly as the facility instructs — typically to the inmate's full legal name and booking number combined, or to a specific facility account name. Any deviation from the stated format can cause the money order to be returned, which adds days or weeks to the process.
Standard first-class mail delivery means the funds will not arrive for several days after mailing, and processing time at the facility adds additional delay. For urgent deposits, mailed money orders are rarely the right choice.
If you send a money order, keep the stub and the tracking information from the envelope. If the facility claims it was never received, your proof of mailing and the money order stub are your only tools for initiating a trace or a refund from the issuer.
Telephone Deposits
Some payment vendors support deposits made over the phone by calling a toll-free customer service number. The caller provides the facility name, inmate name or ID number, and payment card information, and a representative or automated system processes the deposit.
Phone deposits are useful for individuals who are not comfortable with online interfaces or who are working through a language barrier with limited English-language support. However, phone deposits often carry higher service fees than the equivalent online transaction, so comparing the fee schedules before choosing the channel makes sense.
Processing time for phone deposits is generally similar to online portal transactions — often same-day, though facility crediting schedules apply. Keep any confirmation number the phone system provides; this is the reference used to trace the transaction if funds do not appear in the inmate's account.
Tablet-Based Deposits Within the Facility
Some facilities have expanded the role of in-facility tablets — devices used by inmates for communication, education, and entertainment — to also include an account-funding mechanism. In these environments, a family member can load funds through a linked web account, and the inmate can access those funds directly through their assigned tablet.
This model is most common in facilities that have contracted with vendors who operate a vertically integrated system covering communications, commissary, and account management under one platform. Families who already use the same vendor's video visitation or messaging product may find it simplest to fund the account through the same login.
The tradeoff is that funds loaded into a tablet-linked account are sometimes restricted to spending within that vendor's ecosystem — communications, digital content, or specific approved items — rather than being deposited into the general commissary trust account that covers food and hygiene products. Confirm with the facility or vendor exactly how the funds can be used before choosing this channel.
Retail Store Deposit Locations
Several payment vendors have established networks of participating retail locations — convenience stores, pharmacies, and similar outlets — where families can pay cash in person and have it credited to an inmate's account. The cashier scans a barcode or enters a code associated with the vendor's service, and the transaction is processed similarly to a bill-payment service.
This channel closes the gap for families without debit cards or internet access who also live far from the facility itself. A local convenience store a few blocks from home may carry the relevant payment service even if the jail is across the county.
Fees at retail locations vary and may be higher than online equivalents. Always ask for a receipt that shows the transaction reference number, the dollar amount, and the date. Some retail deposit channels have a processing delay of one business day before the funds appear in the inmate's account.
Prepaid Cards Accepted by Commissary Vendors
A smaller number of facilities and commissary vendors accept reloadable prepaid debit cards that have been pre-registered to the inmate's account profile. The family member loads money onto a vendor-specific or general-purpose prepaid card, and the balance is applied to the inmate's commissary account.
This option is more common in longer-term arrangements — state correctional facilities or federal institutions — than in county jails where stays can be shorter and the administrative setup for a card may not be worthwhile.
Not all facilities accept prepaid cards from all issuers. Verify with the facility or vendor whether this channel is available and what card types qualify before purchasing or loading a card specifically for this purpose.
What to Know About MoneyGram Specifically
MoneyGram has historically been one of several money-transfer services that certain county jail payment vendors partnered with to offer an alternative deposit path. When a facility's primary vendor — such as a commissary or phone company — does not offer a direct online portal for deposits, they sometimes list MoneyGram as the payment method, directing families to a MoneyGram location to send funds to the vendor's account.
MoneyGram deposits made for jail accounts are not typically sent directly to the individual; they are sent to the vendor's receive code with the inmate's information in the reference field. The vendor then credits the inmate's account after confirming the details match.
MoneyGram locations are available at many grocery stores, pharmacies, and retail chains, which has made it a practical cash-payment option for families without bank accounts. However, availability at specific locations is not guaranteed, fees are charged per transaction, and deposit limits may apply depending on the receive code and destination.
Because vendor contracts change and facilities periodically switch payment systems, it is always worth checking the facility's current list of accepted payment methods before making a trip to a MoneyGram location — what was the approved method six months ago may have been replaced.
How to Verify the Right Method for Your Facility
The single most reliable source for deposit instructions is the facility itself. Most county jails publish a family resources or inmate services page on their official website that lists the approved payment vendors, the deposit methods they support, and any specific formatting requirements for names or ID numbers.
If the website does not clearly answer your question, calling the facility's main line and asking specifically for the inmate trust or commissary department will usually yield a direct answer within a few minutes. Avoid relying on word-of-mouth from other families in online groups, since facility contracts change and outdated information spreads easily.
Once you have the name of the approved vendor, visit that vendor's official website directly by typing the URL yourself rather than clicking a search result. Lookalike sites that mimic legitimate payment vendors exist specifically to collect money from families who are in a hurry and not looking closely at the URL.
Understanding Fees Across All Channels
Every deposit channel carries some fee structure, and the amounts vary enough to matter when budgets are tight. Online portals generally offer the lowest per-transaction fees for card payments. Kiosk cash deposits often carry a flat fee that scales with the deposit amount. Phone deposits may carry a premium over the equivalent online transaction. Mailed money orders have a purchase fee at the point of sale plus postage, which adds up across multiple deposits.
Comparing the fee disclosure before completing a transaction is a habit worth building. Most vendors display their fee schedule during the checkout process before you confirm payment, and some offer a fee estimator on their website. If a vendor does not display fees transparently before asking for payment, treat that as a warning sign.
There is no channel that is entirely free of cost in the private-vendor ecosystem, but knowing the exact fee before you commit prevents unpleasant surprises. Families making frequent deposits — weekly or biweekly — will find that even small per-transaction fee differences add up meaningfully over time.
Staying Safe from Scams and Lookalike Sites
The jail payment space has a documented problem with imitation websites and fraudulent services that target families in vulnerable situations. These sites appear in search results, sometimes even as paid advertisements, and they collect card information or cash payments while delivering nothing to the inmate's account.
Warning signs include websites that do not display a clear vendor name matching the facility's approved list, checkout pages that ask for unusual payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers, and sites with no visible customer support contact or physical address.
Using a service like InMato LLC can help families navigate to the correct provider. InMato is an information, search, and referral service that connects families with official, licensed providers — never holding or touching user money itself. The InMato app and the county jail inmate search tool guide families to the verified deposit pathway for their specific facility, reducing the chance of landing on a fraudulent lookalike site.
When you need to find a loved one in jail or figure out where to send money, starting with a verified search tool protects your family and your funds. InMato's core search is free for every family with no time limit, covering county jail systems across 14 states.
Comparing the Main Alternatives Side by Side
The question of how can you deposit money besides thru Money Gram comes down to matching the deposit method to your specific situation: your access to technology, whether you have a bank account, how urgently the funds need to arrive, and which methods the specific facility authorizes.
Families with internet access and a debit or credit card will generally find online portals to be the fastest and lowest-fee option. Families without bank accounts but with the ability to travel can use cash kiosks or retail deposit locations. Families who need a paper trail and are not in a rush can use mailed money orders. Families who are already using a vendor's communications product may find the tablet-linked account the most integrated experience.
No single method fits every family or every facility. The goal is to match the channel to the circumstances, confirm it is accepted, understand the fee before sending, and keep all receipts and confirmation numbers until the funds are confirmed in the inmate's account.
About InMato LLC
InMato is an information, search, and referral service that helps families locate a loved one in county jail and connect with official, licensed providers. Founded by J.T. Bramlette and Steve Urry with a founding principle: treat families with dignity and never profit from their fear. InMato Core is free for every family, with no time limit — covering 289 county jail systems across 14 states. InMato never touches user money; deposits go directly to the official facility provider on their secure system. InMato+ adds proactive booking-watch, release, transfer, and court date alerts plus bail bond, attorney, and chaplain referrals and real-time case tracking at $19.99/month per loved one, cancel anytime. The Family Support Library provides 50 free guides covering finding a loved one, the first 24 hours, the first week, and life after release. Available in English and Spanish. InMato LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, headquartered in Santa Barbara, California.
Get Started with InMato LLC
Search for your loved one now at inmato.com — free for every family, with no time limit. Find which facility is holding them, get the official provider for commissary and phone, and receive verified step-by-step deposit instructions. No account required to search. Available in English and Spanish. Answers arrive within 48 hours for support requests, and the search itself is immediate.
Originally published at https://www.inmato.com/blog/how-can-you-deposit-money-besides-thru-money-gram
Written by InMato
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