You can deposit a check at a check-cashing service, a prepaid card issuer, or through a retailer that offers check deposits

If you don't have a bank account, you have several ways to turn a check into cash or store the money somewhere you can access it. The most common routes are check-cashing services (standalone businesses or inside grocery stores), prepaid card companies that accept check deposits, and retail stores like Walmart that cash checks at their customer service desk. Each method works differently, costs different amounts, and puts your money in different places.

The choice depends on what you need: if you want cash when ready and don't mind paying a fee, check-cashing is fastest. If you want to keep the money safe and accessible without a bank account, a prepaid card with check deposit is often cheaper over time. If you're already shopping at a specific store, that store's check-cashing service might be the simplest option.

Key Takeaways

  • Check-cashing services charge a percentage of the check amount (usually 1 to 3 percent) and give you cash the same day, but you pay every time you cash a check.
  • Prepaid cards that accept check deposits let you deposit remotely using your phone, but you need to set up the card first and may pay monthly fees.
  • Retail check-cashing (Walmart, grocery stores) typically costs less per check than standalone check-cashing services and is available during store hours.
  • You will need to bring the physical check and a government-issued ID to any check-cashing location.
  • Some prepaid card companies offer mobile check deposit, meaning you photograph the check with your phone instead of visiting a location in person.

Check-cashing services: how they work and what they cost

A check-cashing service is a business that converts your check into cash on the spot. You bring the check and a government-issued ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport), the service verifies the check is real, and you walk out with cash. The fee is usually a percentage of the check amount—typically 1 to 3 percent, though it can be higher for larger checks or if the check is from out of state.

Standalone check-cashing shops are common in urban and lower-income neighborhoods. You can also find check-cashing at some grocery stores, pharmacies, and payday loan locations. The advantage is speed: you get cash the same day, usually within minutes. The disadvantage is that you pay a fee every single time, so if you cash checks regularly, the costs add up. A $500 check cashed at 2 percent costs you $10.

Before you go, call ahead or check the business's website to confirm they cash the type of check you have. Some services won't cash payroll checks from certain employers, government checks, or checks from out-of-state banks. Bring the original check—they won't accept a photo or copy.

Prepaid cards with check deposit: building a safer alternative

A prepaid card is a card you load money onto in advance, similar to a gift card but designed for everyday banking. Some prepaid card companies let you deposit checks without having a bank account. You either photograph the check using your phone (called mobile check deposit) or mail the check to the company's address. The money appears in your prepaid card account within one to three business days.

The main advantage is that you avoid the per-check fee structure of check-cashing services. Instead, you might pay a monthly fee (typically $5 to $15) or no monthly fee at all, depending on the card. If you receive checks regularly, a prepaid card usually costs less overall than cashing checks repeatedly. The money stays in your account until you spend it, so you're not carrying cash.

The catch is that you need to set up the prepaid card first, which takes a few days. You'll also need a government-issued ID and sometimes a Social Security number. Not all prepaid cards offer check deposit, so you need to choose one that does. Cards marketed toward people without bank accounts—such as NetSpend, Chime, or LendingClub's Radius—often include this feature. Check the card's website or call customer service to confirm check deposit is available before you sign up.

Retail check-cashing: Walmart, grocery stores, and other locations

Many large retailers cash checks at their customer service desk. Walmart is the most widespread option, with check-cashing available at most locations during store hours. Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons also offer check-cashing. The fee is usually lower than a standalone check-cashing service—often $3 to $6 per check regardless of the amount, rather than a percentage.

The process is straightforward: bring your check and ID to the customer service desk, and they'll cash it on the spot. You get cash when ready. The downside is that you're limited to the stores that offer this service and their business hours. Some stores have limits on check amounts or won't cash certain types of checks (like two-party checks, where the check is made out to two people).

Call the store ahead of time or check their website to confirm they cash checks and what types they accept. Policies vary by location, so a Walmart in one city might have different rules than one in another.

Mobile check deposit through prepaid cards and other services

If you have a smartphone, some prepaid cards and services let you deposit a check without leaving home. You photograph the front and back of the check using your phone's camera, upload the images through an app, and the money is deposited into your account. This is called mobile check deposit.

The process usually takes one to three business days. You don't pay a per-check fee—you pay the card's monthly fee (if any) instead. The main requirement is that you have a smartphone with a camera and internet access, and that the check amount is within the service's limits (usually $500 to $2,500 per deposit).

Not all prepaid cards offer mobile check deposit, so check before you sign up. Some services that do include Chime, NetSpend, and certain credit unions' prepaid offerings. After you deposit the check, most services ask you to destroy it or write "deposited" on it so it can't be cashed twice.

What you need to bring and how to avoid problems

For any in-person check-cashing method, bring a government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or state ID is ideal. A passport works too. Without ID, no check-cashing service will cash your check, even if you're a regular customer.

Bring the original check. Services won't accept photocopies or photos. Make sure the check is made out to you (or to you and one other person, though some services won't cash two-party checks). If the check is damaged, torn, or hard to read, the service may refuse it.

The most common problem is trying to cash a check that the service doesn't accept. Some services won't cash government checks, out-of-state checks, or checks from certain employers. Call ahead to confirm. Another problem is bringing an expired or out-of-state ID—some services have strict rules about which IDs they'll accept. Ask before you go.

Comparing costs: which method saves you the most money

The cheapest method depends on how often you cash checks. If you cash one or two checks a month, a retail check-cashing service (Walmart, grocery store) at $3 to $6 per check is usually cheapest. If you cash checks weekly or more, a prepaid card with a monthly fee ($5 to $15) will cost less overall. If you rarely cash checks and need cash when ready, a standalone check-cashing service is fastest, even though it costs more per check.

Here's a rough comparison: cashing a $500 check costs about $10 at a standalone service (2 percent fee), $3 to $6 at Walmart, or $0 per check if you use a prepaid card with a $10 monthly fee (assuming you cash at least one check a month). Over a year, if you cash one check a month, the prepaid card costs $120, retail check-cashing costs $36 to $72, and a standalone service costs $120. The numbers shift if you cash more or fewer checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I deposit a check if it's made out to someone else?

Not usually. Most check-cashing services and prepaid card companies require the check to be made out to you. If the check is made out to someone else, that person needs to sign the back and write "pay to the order of [your name]," then you sign below. This is called a third-party check, and many services refuse them because of fraud risk. Ask the service first.

How long does it take to get the money?

In-person check-cashing (Walmart, check-cashing shops) gives you cash when ready, usually within minutes. Mobile check deposit and mailed checks take one to three business days. Prepaid card deposits are typically available within one business day, though some services take longer.

What if the check bounces after I cash it?

If you cash a check and it later bounces (meaning the account it came from doesn't have enough money), the check-cashing service or prepaid card company will reverse the deposit and take the money back. You'll owe them the amount of the check. This is why services verify checks before cashing them, but verification isn't foolproof. If this happens, contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to make it good.

Do I need a Social Security number to use a prepaid card?

Most prepaid cards require a Social Security number to set up, but some don't. If you don't have a Social Security number, call the prepaid card company before signing up. Some cards will let you open an account with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. Check-cashing services typically don't require a Social Security number, only an ID.

Can I deposit a check if I'm not a citizen?

Check-cashing services and retail check-cashing accept anyone with a valid government-issued ID, regardless of citizenship status. Prepaid cards vary—some require a Social Security number, which you may not have if you're not a citizen. Others accept an ITIN. Call the prepaid card company to ask what ID they accept before you sign up.