Sending money to loved ones is the most direct way of showing your care and support, even when you’re miles away in another country. But did you know that hitting “send” on a transaction is just one step in a seamless money transfer process? Recipients regularly face challenges during cash pickup, caused by everything from incorrect information to unreliable service providers. But early preparation will help eliminate unnecessary complications.
At Remitly, we want to ensure your loved ones receive the money you send without delay. So, we’ve put together this guide with easy tips to simplify the pickup experience. We’ll cover why it’s important to provide accurate details, which required documents every recipient should have, and how to find a trusted money transfer service to make the process even smoother.
Why does preparation matter in money transfers?
Whether you’re helping family back home, covering an urgent expense, or supporting a friend in need, sending money is a practical, tangible act of love. However, smooth transfers start with you—the sender—having all the right information.
Common recipient money transfer issues
I’ve spent most of my adult life living abroad, and while I’ve certainly found my footing ten years on, I’m not sure where I’d be without help from loved ones. But when my mother first started sending money internationally, there were a lot of challenges. For example, she’d forget a number in my address or accidentally leave out my middle name. Sorting out these errors led to lots of strain for both sides.
So, I understand just how easy it is to make mistakes during the process, especially in those early days. If you want to make cash pickup easy and stress-free for your recipients, here are some of the most common issues to avoid:
- Incorrect or missing details: Filling out the wrong information on the money transfer form could result in a voided transaction, or recipients might never receive notification. If they do, they won’t be able to collect the cash if the details don’t match the recipient’s ID.
- Expired or invalid ID: No money transfer agent will process a cash pickup without a valid form of official identification, even with the correct money transfer details. Recipients will likely be turned away for insufficient ID.
- Country-specific regulations: In some regions, recipients are required to submit extra documentation for compliance or security reasons. Always check your country’s specific regulations before sending or picking up cash to eliminate any chance of delays.
- Untested money transfer services: Whether it’s through technical glitches, unreliable support, hidden fees, or a higher potential for fraud, using an unreliable service can lead to nasty surprises. Your transaction could be held up or fail altogether.
How delays affect recipients
If you’re sending money to help in an emergency or a time-sensitive matter, any delay could be detrimental to your recipient. It could mean:
- Inability to cover critical expenses like groceries or utilities.
- Missed financial deadlines, leading to late fees or other penalties.
- Losing out on business deals.
- Supply chain or cast flow disruptions for businesses.
That’s why it’s best to help recipients prepare adequately to guarantee the highest chances of success.
Sending money internationally can also involve huge time differences, making it harder to fix errors quickly. Your recipient might have to wait hours before you’re awake to access funds, all because you didn’t fill in their middle name on the money transfer form.
Recipient details: make a list, check it twice
So, what can senders and recipients do to ensure a smooth pickup process? The first step is getting the details right.
Full name
You might know your loved one as “Maria Rodriguez”. But if their full name—as listed on their passport or driver’s license—is “Maria del Carmen Rodriguez,” then that’s what you need to use when entering the transfer details.
That means no writing nicknames, either! Even a small error, like mixing up “Ann” with “Annie”, can halt the whole process.
Are they recently married? Confirm if you’ll need to use their maiden or married last name. And if the recipient comes from a different culture, avoid mixing up surnames in cases where multiple last names are common, such as in Asian or Spanish-speaking countries.
Address and contact details
Use the recipient’s precise city and home address, as it appears on their official ID. Also, key in the correct phone number or email to help with notifications. Banks and money transfer services use these details to verify a receiver’s identity, ensuring funds are sent to the right person.
Incomplete or invalid addresses could lead to the payment processing system rejecting the money transfer. Even a small typo could waste time, cause rerouting delays, and bring unexpected fees or fines.
Dates
Another thing to consider is whether you’ll need to fill out any dates, such as the recipient’s date of birth. While this isn’t always mandatory, it’s a great way to strengthen the security of your transactions while complying with international ID verification and anti-money laundering regulations.
Also, which date format does your country use? This is important to know, too. Most take the day-first approach. For example, in Spain, the UK, and many other countries, September 2, 1990, is written as 02/09/1990. But in the US, the date will appear as 09/02/1990.
Small details like dates might be an easy oversight, but they could cause substantial delays.
Bank account details
Ensure that you have accurate information about a recipient’s banking details, including the following:
- Bank account, including bank name, bank branch, and account number.
- SWIFT or BIC code, which acts as a unique identifier for each bank.
- International Bank Account Number (IBAN), required for sending money to certain countries in Europe, the Middle East, and more.
You can learn more about the differences between IBAN and SWIFT codes in our deep dive here.
Choose convenient and trusted pickup locations
But even if all the details are right, an incorrect or inconvenient pickup location can cause unnecessary anxiety and delays in receiving the money.
Why consider the pickup location?
Suppose you choose a location that isn’t easily accessible to the recipient. In that case, they’ll need to arrange travel, fit it into their schedule while coordinating with the pickup agent’s operating hours, and navigate an unfamiliar area—all while carrying a substantial amount of cash.
Add unreliable agents into the mix, and it’s easy to become frustrated.
This is why choosing a convenient and trusted pickup location is key to ensuring a smooth pickup experience. Established money transfer providers offer broad partner networks, so you have extensive choices: for example, a service like Remitly works with over 460,000 well-known and secure banks and cash pickup agents worldwide, giving recipients flexibility and peace of mind.
What to look for when choosing a pickup location
To select the best cash pickup location, communicate with your recipient first. This simple step will help you assess several key factors.
- Proximity: Is it near the recipient’s home or workplace?
- Reputation: Is it a trusted bank or agent with a record of reliable service and customer care?
- Operating hours: Do opening and closing times align with your recipient’s schedule?
- Security: Is it located in a safe, accessible area?
With this information, you’ll choose a location that allows your loved ones to collect money quickly and easily after the transfer.
Ensure the recipient is prepared with the required documents
Now that you have the right recipient details and you’ve agreed on the most convenient pickup location, it’s time to discuss what documentation will be needed to collect the money. In most cases, only two essential documents are required:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license.
- The transaction reference number, a secret number provided by the money transfer services to tag each transaction.
- A PIN from the sender, which is only required by some service providers.
These identifiers are vital for cash pickups, so ensure the recipient always has them in hand. Without these, the agent or bank cannot release any funds.
Additional documentation
In some cases, the recipient might also need to submit:
- Second form of identification
- Proof of address
- Proof of income or funds, especially for bigger transactions
- Business registration certificates and licenses
- Tax ID or compliance certificates for larger transfers
- Documentation showing the purpose of the transfer
Region-specific requirements
When sending money internationally, it’s best practice to research the specific requirements in your target country.
In Colombia, for instance, if you’re receiving a transfer for the first time, you must submit a Colombian Tax ID (“Cédula”) and complete the “Abono Automático” form to ensure your bank is set up to receive the payment.
You’ll need a unique IBAN to receive remittances in Europe, while Australia requires recipients to provide a Branch-State-Branch (BSB) number.
Meanwhile, in the US, the routing number is a vital piece of this puzzle, so don’t forget to ask your recipient for one.
Notify your recipient promptly
One of the best ways to keep your loved one informed of the transfer is to include their phone number in the transaction form. This lets recipients track the transfer in real time and receive direct notifications when the money is ready for pickup.
Delays in communication can be stress-inducing, especially if the funds are being sent to help with an urgent matter. And even if it isn’t for emergency use, it’s best that recipients pick up the cash right away rather than have it sit there for a stretch of time.
Here are some other best practices to keep in mind after completing a money transfer:
- Share the transaction confirmation immediately with your recipient.
- Confirm the exact date and pickup location.
- Let them know the operating hours.
Other helpful tips for pickup preparation
When it comes to stress-free money transfers and cash pickups, preparation is the name of the game. Ensuring the recipient knows what to expect beforehand can make the experience less intimidating.
- Do your due diligence to find a trusted money transfer service and pickup location.
- Review pickup instructions to ensure everyone’s on the same page.
- Confirm the recipient’s ID validity well before the pickup date.
- Understand what information you’ll need to submit to banking authorities or the government.
And if something is unclear—ask questions! Don’t be afraid to ask pickup agents for help with missing details or documentation. If there are any issues during cash pickup, find out how to access recipient support.
A little preparation = A lot less stress
If you want a smooth pickup process, you must ensure you have all the correct information. Going over every detail will save you lots of time and stress, elevating the pickup experience.
To avoid complications or delays, check that the name you’ve written is the same as the one on the recipient’s ID. Also, confirm the accuracy of any dates, numbers, emails, and addresses you provide, and find out if any extra documentation is required.
By taking this step-by-step approach, you’ll guarantee that every money transfer back home is smooth, safe, and secure.
FAQs
What should my recipient bring along to pick up the money?
The recipient should provide a valid, government-issued photo ID and the transaction reference number, if one was provided. Some countries might require additional documents, so it is best to check the specific requirements before pickup.
What happens if the recipient’s name is incorrect on the transfer details?
Many places are very strict about this detail, so even the slightest mistake, like a missing letter or middle name, can lead to rejection or delays. In this case, the sender should immediately contact the money transfer service provider, such as Remitly Support, to fix the error.
How do I choose the best pickup location for my recipient?
Choosing the best pickup location comes down to proximity, reputation, security, and operating hours. Platforms like Remitly provide a map of authorized partner locations so you can choose the most convenient one for the recipient.
Can I track the money transfer process?
Yes! Most money transfer services offer real-time tracking, so the sender and recipient always know the transfer status and when to expect pickup.