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Ria cash pickup: What your recipient needs to bring
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Sending money for cash pickup with Ria is quick, and many transfers are ready to collect within minutes. But if your recipient gets to the counter without the right details, the agent can’t hand over the money. Share this checklist with them before they leave home.
What your recipient needs for a Ria cash pickup
Your recipient should bring three things every time:
The PIN or reference number you share with them
A valid government-issued photo ID with the same name you entered on the transfer
Your full name, exactly as it appears on the transfer
That covers most pickups. Here’s what each one means in practice.
Sending money to family soon? Start a cash pickup transfer and see the fee and exchange rate before you pay.
The PIN or reference number
Once you confirm your transfer, Ria creates a unique reference number, sometimes called a PIN or confirmation number. The agent uses it to find the transfer and release the money, so your recipient can’t collect without it.
You’ll find it in:
Your order confirmation email
The transfer details in the Ria app (tap the transfer to open it)
Your transfer history when you log in at riamoneytransfer.com
You can also use the same number to track your transfer.
Tip: Send the reference number to your recipient as soon as you have it, by text, WhatsApp or whatever app you both use. That way they aren’t hunting for it at the counter.
A valid government-issued photo ID
Before handing over any cash, the agent checks your recipient’s identity. They’ll ask for a valid, government-issued photo ID, and expired documents aren’t accepted.
Accepted IDs usually include:
Passport
National identity card
Driver’s license
Residence permit or foreigner ID card (in some countries)
The name on the ID has to match the name on the transfer exactly. A missing middle name or a small spelling difference can be enough for the agent to refuse the payout.
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Your full name
Your recipient also needs your full name, exactly as you entered it when you registered with Ria and as it appears on the transfer. The agent uses it as a security check to confirm the right person is collecting the money.
Do cash pickup requirements vary by country?
The basics (reference number, valid photo ID and your name) apply everywhere. Some countries add steps or accept different IDs because of local rules. A few examples:
Mexico: The INE voter ID card is widely accepted and commonly used for cash pickup.
Philippines: Several government-issued IDs are accepted. The agent will confirm which ones are valid at that location.
India: Pickup usually happens at partner bank branches, so your recipient may need to follow that bank’s process.
Colombia: The cédula de ciudadanía (national ID card) is the standard ID for pickup.
Sending to one of these countries? See payout options, fees and rates for Mexico, the Philippines, India and Colombia.
What if the name on the ID doesn’t match?
A name mismatch is a common reason a cash pickup gets held up. If the name on your recipient’s ID doesn’t match the name on the transfer, the agent can’t release the money.
If it happens:
Contact Ria customer support and ask for a name correction on the transfer.
Give the correct spelling of your recipient’s name, exactly as it appears on their ID.
Once the name is corrected, your recipient can collect the transfer.
The easiest fix is to avoid it in the first place. When you add a new recipient in Ria, enter their name exactly as it appears on their government ID. Need to update someone you’ve already saved? Here’s how to modify a recipient in the Ria app.
Can someone else collect the money?
No. For security reasons, only the recipient named on the transfer can pick up the cash. The agent checks their ID against the transfer details and won’t release the money to anyone else, including a spouse or another family member.
If your recipient can’t collect in person, contact Ria customer support to talk through your options before the transfer expires.
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How to find the nearest pickup location
Share the location finder with your recipient so they can pick a convenient spot and check its opening hours before they go.
On the web: search by city, address or ZIP code with the Ria location finder.
In the app: open the Locations tab to see nearby agent locations and their hours.
Ria has more than 600,000 locations in over 190 countries, including banks, retail stores, supermarkets and Ria branches.
How long is the transfer available for pickup?
Cash pickup transfers don’t stay open forever. The pickup window depends on the destination and is usually somewhere between a few weeks and a few months. Your confirmation email and the transfer details in the app show the exact deadline for your transfer.
If the transfer expires before your recipient collects it, contact Ria customer support. They can usually help, but it’s much easier to sort out before the deadline passes.
Quick checklist for your recipient
Send this list to your recipient before they head out:
PIN or reference number: the unique code Ria creates after you confirm your transfer
Their full name: exactly as you entered it when you sent the money
Government-issued photo ID: a passport, national ID card or driver’s license with a name that matches the transfer
The approximate amount: handy to have, though not always required, since the agent will confirm it
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FAQs
What does my recipient need to pick up a Ria cash transfer?
Three things: the PIN or reference number you share with them, a valid government-issued photo ID and your full name as it appears on the transfer. The name on their ID has to match the name on the transfer exactly.
Can my recipient pick up the money without the PIN?
No. The agent needs the reference number to find and release the transfer. If your recipient has lost it, you’ll find it in your confirmation email or in the transfer details in the Ria app, so you can send it again.
What if my recipient's ID has expired?
Expired IDs aren’t accepted. Your recipient will need to bring another valid government-issued photo ID with the same name as the transfer.
Can a family member pick up the cash for my recipient?
No. Only the person named on the transfer can collect the money. If your recipient can’t go in person, contact Ria customer support before the transfer expires.
How long does my recipient have to collect the money?
It depends on the destination. Your confirmation email and the transfer details in the Ria app show the pickup deadline for your transfer.
Send money for cash pickup with Ria
Your recipient can collect cash at more than 600,000 Ria locations worldwide. Start your cash pickup transfer and check the fee and exchange rate before you commit. You don’t need an account to see them.
About the author
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Gabriela Solis
Gabriela Solis is Ria's Senior Content Writer. Located in Querétaro, México, she focuses on telling stories that show the myriad human faces of remittances.
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