How to Send Money to FDC Houston

All deposits process through Des Moines, Iowa: not through the facility directly.

Overview

Money for FDC Houston inmates doesn’t go to 1200 Texas Avenue. All deposits: regardless of method: route through BOP’s National Lockbox in Des Moines, Iowa. You’ll use BOP-specific codes and the inmate’s 8-digit register number. Get that number first from the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc/ before attempting any deposit.

Quick Facts

Register number required for all methods: get it at bop.gov/inmateloc/.
MoneyGram: Receive Code 7932, payable to 'Federal Bureau of Prisons,' City: Washington DC.
Western Union Quick Collect: Code City FBOP DC: available at locations or via send2corrections.com.
Mail: Postal money order to PO Box 474701, Des Moines IA 50947-0001.
Account field (MoneyGram & WU): 8-digit register number + last name, no spaces (e.g., 12345678SMITH).
Posting time: 2–4 hours if submitted 7 AM–9 PM EST; next morning if submitted after 9 PM EST.
Monthly commissary spending limit: $360 (excluding postage stamps and OTC medications).
No cash, no personal checks, no deposits sent to the facility's Houston address.

Before You Send Anything. Get the Register Number

Every BOP deposit requires the inmate’s 8-digit register number. Without it, the deposit can’t be matched to their account. Get it from:

The inmate directly (they should memorize their register number)
The BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc/: search by name
Their attorney or case manager

The format is XXXXX-XXX. When entering it in the account field for MoneyGram or Western Union, drop the hyphen: enter it as 8 consecutive digits followed immediately by the last name (no spaces).

Option 1. MoneyGram

MoneyGram is available at Walmart, CVS, and thousands of other retail locations, plus online at moneygram.com.

Use these exact fields:

Receive Code: 7932
Payable to: Federal Bureau of Prisons
City: Washington DC
Account: [8-digit register number][LASTNAME]: no spaces, no hyphen

Example: if register number is 12345-678 and last name is JOHNSON, the account field is 12345678JOHNSON.

Deposits post to the inmate’s account 2–4 hours after submission, provided you complete the transaction between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM Eastern Time. Transactions after 9 PM EST post the following morning.

Option 2. Western Union Quick Collect

Western Union is available at grocery stores, check cashing locations, and online. Use the Quick Collect service specifically.

Use these exact fields:

Code City: FBOP DC
Account: [8-digit register number][LASTNAME]: same format as MoneyGram

Western Union transactions can also be sent via send2corrections.com, which walks through the BOP-specific fields. Same posting timeline applies: 2–4 hours during 7 AM–9 PM EST.

Option 3. Postal Money Order

Mail a U.S. Postal Money Order (USPS only: not a cashier’s check or bank money order) to:

Federal Bureau of Prisons [Inmate Full Legal Name] / [Register Number] PO Box 474701 Des Moines, IA 50947-0001

Write the inmate’s full legal name and register number on the money order itself. Do not send cash. Do not send personal checks. Do not mail money to FDC Houston’s Houston address: it will not reach the inmate’s account.

Allow longer processing time for mail (typically 7–10 business days).

What the Commissary Account Pays For

Once funds are in the account, the inmate can spend them at commissary: food items, hygiene products, clothing, and electronics within BOP limits. The monthly spending cap is $360. Postage stamps and over-the-counter medications don’t count against that limit.

Commissary shopping is scheduled by housing unit: typically once per week. Funds must be in the account before their scheduled shopping day.

What Doesn’t Work

Sending cash in any form
Personal checks
Sending money to 1200 Texas Avenue or to PO Box 526255 (the inmate mailing address: not for money)
Apps like Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp. BOP does not accept these

Families Also Ask

6 of 6 questions

What is the MoneyGram code for FDC Houston?

Receive Code 7932, payable to 'Federal Bureau of Prisons,' City: Washington DC. Account field: 8-digit register number immediately followed by the inmate's last name, no spaces.

Send Money

What is the Western Union code for FDC Houston?

Use Western Union Quick Collect with Code City: FBOP DC. Account field: same as MoneyGram , 8-digit register number followed by last name, no spaces. Available at retail locations or via send2corrections.com.

Send Money

How long does it take for money to post at FDC Houston?

MoneyGram and Western Union deposits post to the inmate's account within 2–4 hours if submitted between 7 AM and 9 PM Eastern Time. Transactions after 9 PM EST post the following morning. Mail money orders take 7–10 business days.

Send Money

I don't have the register number: can I still send money?

No. The register number is required for the account field. Without it, the deposit can't be matched to the inmate's account. Get it from the BOP Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc/ by searching their name.

Send Money

What is the monthly spending limit at FDC Houston commissary?

$360 per month. Postage stamps and over-the-counter medications purchased through commissary are not counted against this limit.

Send Money

Can I send money to the FDC Houston address in Houston?

No. Sending money to 1200 Texas Avenue or to PO Box 526255 (the inmate mail address) will not reach the commissary account. All deposits must go through MoneyGram, Western Union, or mail to the Des Moines lockbox at PO Box 474701, Des Moines IA 50947-0001.

Send Money