You can deposit a check at a check-cashing service, a prepaid card issuer, or a retail store that offers check cashing — you do not need a traditional bank account
If you do not have a bank account, you have three main routes to turn a check into usable money. A check-cashing service will cash your check for a fee, usually between 1 and 5 percent of the check amount, and hand you cash or load the funds onto a prepaid card. Prepaid card companies like NetSpend, Chime, and GoBank offer check deposit through their mobile apps or at retail locations, and some charge no fee for the first few deposits each month. Retail stores including Walmart, Target, and grocery chains cash checks at their customer service desks, typically for a flat fee of $3 to $6 per check.
The choice depends on whether you want cash when ready, whether you want the money to sit in an account you can access later, and how much the fee matters for the size of your check. A $50 check cashed at 3 percent costs $1.50; a $500 check costs $15. Retail check cashing is usually cheapest for larger checks, while prepaid cards make sense if you plan to deposit checks regularly and want to avoid carrying cash.
Key Takeaways
- Check-cashing services, prepaid card companies, and retail stores all cash checks without requiring a bank account, though each charges a different fee structure.
- Prepaid card check deposits through mobile apps often have no fee for the first few deposits per month, making them the cheapest option for regular check depositors.
- Retail store check cashing typically charges a flat fee of $3 to $6 and is fastest for same-day cash, but fees add up on small checks.
- Check-cashing services charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 5 percent, and are most common in urban areas and near payday loan storefronts.
- You will need a valid ID and the check must be made out to you or be signed over to you by the person whose name is on it.
Check-Cashing Services and What They Cost
A dedicated check-cashing service is a storefront business that cashes checks for a fee. These are common in urban neighborhoods and near payday loan offices. The fee is usually a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 5 percent — though some charge a flat fee instead. A $200 check at 3 percent costs $6; a $1,000 check costs $30. The percentage varies by location and by the type of check: payroll checks often have lower fees than personal checks or government checks.
The process is straightforward: bring your ID and the check, sign the back if it is not already signed, and the cashier will verify the check and hand you cash or load it onto a prepaid card. Most check-cashing services cash checks same-day, often within minutes. The downside is the fee eats into your money, and if you cash checks regularly, the cost adds up. If you are cashing a $300 paycheck every two weeks at 3 percent, you pay $18 per month just in fees.
Prepaid Cards With Mobile Check Deposit
Several prepaid card companies let you deposit checks through their mobile app without visiting a store. You photograph the front and back of the check, submit it through the app, and the money appears in your prepaid card account within one to three business days. Companies offering this include Chime, NetSpend, GoBank, and Brinks Prepaid. Many charge no fee for the first few deposits per month — Chime, for example, offers unlimited free check deposits — while others charge $1 to $3 per deposit after the free allotment runs out.
The advantage is convenience: you can deposit a check from home without visiting a store or service. The disadvantage is the money is not when ready — it takes a business day or two to clear. If you need cash today, this does not work. But if you can wait, and if you plan to deposit checks regularly, the fee structure is usually cheaper than a check-cashing service. A prepaid card with unlimited free deposits saves you money on every check after the first few.
To use mobile check deposit, you need a smartphone with a camera and the prepaid card company's app. The check must be endorsed (signed on the back) and made out to you. Some companies limit the amount you can deposit per day or per month, so check the app or the company's website for those limits before you rely on it for a large check.
Retail Store Check Cashing
Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and many other grocery and discount retailers cash checks at their customer service desk. The fee is usually a flat $3 to $6 per check, regardless of the check amount. This makes retail check cashing the cheapest option for large checks — a $1,000 check costs $6 at Walmart instead of $30 at a check-cashing service — but more expensive for small checks. A $50 check costs $3 to $6, which is 6 to 12 percent of the check amount.
Bring your ID and the check to the customer service desk during store hours. The cashier will verify the check and ask you how you want the money: cash, or loaded onto a prepaid card if the store offers that service. Most retail check cashing is same-day, and you walk out with cash in your pocket. Walmart and Target both cash payroll checks, government checks, tax refunds, and personal checks, though some stores may decline personal checks or checks over a certain amount. Call ahead if you are unsure whether your store cashes the type of check you have.
What You Need to Bring and How to Prepare Your Check
All three routes require a valid government-issued ID: a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Some services also accept a tribal ID. The check must be made out to you, or it must be signed over to you by the person whose name is on it. To sign a check over, the original payee signs the back and writes "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. Not all check-cashing services accept signed-over checks, so ask before you try.
Endorse the check yourself by signing the back. Do not sign it until you are at the check-cashing location, because a signed blank check can be cashed by anyone. If the check is damaged, torn, or the amount is unclear, some services will refuse it. If the check is post-dated (dated in the future), check-cashing services and retail stores usually will not cash it until that date arrives, though prepaid card apps may accept it.
Comparing Fees Across the Three Routes
| Route | Fee Structure | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-cashing service | 1–5% of check amount | Same-day cash | Small checks, need cash when ready |
| Prepaid card mobile deposit | $0–$3 per deposit (often free for first few) | 1–3 business days | Regular deposits, can wait a few days |
| Retail store check cashing | $3–$6 flat fee | Same-day cash | Large checks, need cash today |
The table shows why the best choice depends on your check size and timeline. For a $100 check, a check-cashing service costs $1 to $5, retail costs $3 to $6, and a prepaid card costs $0 to $3 (often free). For a $500 check, check-cashing costs $5 to $25, retail costs $3 to $6, and prepaid card costs $0 to $3. Retail wins on large checks; prepaid cards win on regular deposits; check-cashing services are the fallback if the other two are not available.
What Happens if the Check Bounces
If you cash a check and it bounces — meaning the account it was drawn from has insufficient funds — the check-cashing service, prepaid card company, or retail store will reverse the deposit and take the money back. If you have already spent the cash, you will owe the money back. Some services charge an additional fee for a bounced check, usually $5 to $15. This is why it is safer to cash checks from people or employers you know and trust.
If you deposit a check through a prepaid card app and it bounces after the money has been in your account for a few days, the prepaid card company will deduct the amount from your account balance. If your balance goes negative, you may owe the company money or face overdraft fees, depending on the card's terms. Read the prepaid card's fee schedule before you deposit a check, so you know what happens if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check made out to someone else?
Only if that person signs the back and writes "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. Not all check-cashing services accept signed-over checks, so call ahead. Prepaid card apps and retail stores usually do not accept them either.
What if the check-cashing service or store refuses my check?
They may refuse if the check is damaged, post-dated, or over a certain amount. Some refuse personal checks or checks from out-of-state banks. If one location refuses, try another — different services have different policies. Prepaid card apps are sometimes more flexible because the check is verified electronically.
How long does it take to get the money from a prepaid card check deposit?
Usually one to three business days. The app will show you a timestamp when the check clears. Weekends and holidays can add time, so a check deposited on Friday may not clear until Tuesday.
Do I have to open a prepaid card account to use mobile check deposit?
Yes, you need an active prepaid card account with the company. You can open one online or at a retail location, usually for free or a small set up fee. Some prepaid cards charge monthly maintenance fees, so compare before you choose.
Is it safe to photograph my check for mobile deposit?
Yes, as long as you use the official app from the prepaid card company. Do not email photos of checks or use third-party apps. The official app encrypts the image and deletes it after the check clears. Do not share the photo with anyone else.