For the lucky winner, here's a checklist of things to do: Protect your ticket. Sign your winning ticket, make copies of it and stash the original in a safe-deposit box. If you are separated from the ticket, your signature should ensure you wonât be separated from the prize. The safe-deposit box will help ensure youâre not separated from it. Get help before you claim the prize. Youâll have three months (in most states) to come forward with your winning ticket. You likely wonât be able to keep your secret under your hat for that long, but before identifying yourself, assemble a team consisting of a financial planner, an accountant and a lawyer, with the lawyer being your first call.
Tell the postal clerk you wish to open a post office account and post office box. You will be given a paper form to fill in. This form is only available from your clerk. Give the postal clerk the completed form and your proof of identification and residency.The postal clerk will open your post office account.ou can access the box with a key when the post office lobby is open. A post office account is given on a first-come, first-served basis. You can renew the account every six months or annually with a new fee.
Visit your local post office. Wait in line to visit with a clerk. If you do not know where your nearest post office is, use a Post Office locator feature online such as this one: https://tools.usps.com/go/POLocatorAction!input.action. Most official post offices will be able to issue a money order directly to you.here are pluses and minuses to sending money orders through the post office. Benefits to using money orders include extra security, not requiring a bank or checking account, being able to pay upfront, and being able to send money internationally.