You can cash a check at the bank that issued it, at a check-cashing store, or at some retail locations — you do not need your own account

The bank or credit union that issued the check (the one printed on the front) will cash it for you in person, even if you have no account there. This is usually the fastest and cheapest option. You bring the check and a photo ID, and they hand you cash. Some banks charge a small fee to non-customers — typically $5 to $10 — but many do not.

If you cannot reach that bank, a check-cashing store will convert the check to cash on the spot. These are storefront businesses found in most neighborhoods. They charge a percentage of the check amount — usually 1 to 3 percent — so a $100 check might cost $1 to $3 to cash. Walmart, grocery stores, and some pharmacies also cash checks, often for a flat fee of $3 to $6.

The trade-off is straightforward: the bank that issued the check is free or cheap but requires you to go there. Check-cashing stores and retailers are convenient but take a cut. Which you choose depends on whether you have time to reach the issuing bank and whether the fee matters for that particular check.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank or credit union printed on the check will cash it for free or a small fee, and you need only a photo ID — no account required.
  • Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount but are open longer hours and located in most neighborhoods.
  • Walmart, grocery stores, and pharmacies cash checks for a flat fee, usually $3 to $6, if you shop there anyway.
  • You will need a valid photo ID at any location — a driver's license, state ID, or passport all work.
  • The issuing bank is the cheapest route; the others are faster if that bank is far away or has limited hours.

Cashing at the bank that issued the check

Look at the front of the check. The name of the bank or credit union appears in the top left corner or along the bottom. That is the issuing bank. Go to any branch of that bank with the check and a photo ID.

Tell the teller you want to cash the check. They will verify the check is real, confirm the account has funds, and hand you cash. The whole process takes a few minutes. Some banks charge non-customers a fee; others do not. If you are unsure, call the bank's customer service number (also on the check) and ask before you go.

This method works even if the check is old, as long as it is not more than six months old. Banks will not cash checks older than that, though the person who wrote it may still honor it if you contact them directly.

Using a check-cashing store

Check-cashing stores are retail businesses that convert checks to cash for a fee. You bring the check and a photo ID, they verify the check, and they give you cash minus their fee. The fee is usually a percentage of the check amount — 1 to 3 percent is typical — though some charge a flat fee instead.

These stores are open longer than banks, often until 8 or 9 p.m. and on weekends. They are fast: the transaction usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. The downside is the cost. On a $500 check, a 2 percent fee means you lose $10. On a $100 check, you lose $2.

Check-cashing stores also often offer other services — payday loans, bill payment, money transfers — but you are using them only for the check. Look for one near you by searching "check cashing" in your area. Compare fees by calling ahead; they vary by location and by check amount.

Cashing checks at retail stores

Walmart, most grocery store chains, and some pharmacies will cash checks if you have a valid photo ID. The fee is usually a flat amount — $3 to $6 — rather than a percentage, which makes it cheaper than a check-cashing store for larger checks.

The service desk or customer service counter handles check cashing. Hours are the same as the store's regular hours, so you can often cash a check while you shop. The trade-off is that not every location offers this service, and some have limits on the check amount they will cash — often $1,000 or $2,000.

Call ahead to confirm the store near you cashes checks and ask about their fee and limits. This option works best if you are already shopping there or if a check-cashing store is not nearby.

What ID you need and what happens if you do not have one

All check-cashing locations require a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. Some places also accept a military ID or tribal ID. The ID must not be expired, though some locations are flexible if it expired recently.

If you have no photo ID, you have limited options. Some check-cashing stores will cash a check if someone with a valid ID co-signs it — meaning they stand beside you and verify they know you. This is rare and not may provide. Your best path is to get a state ID card from your local Department of Motor Vehicles. The process takes a few days to a few weeks, and the cost is usually $10 to $30. Until then, ask the person who wrote the check if they can deposit it into their own account and send you the money another way.

Fees and how to avoid them

The issuing bank charges nothing or a small fee ($5 to $10) to non-customers. Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. Retail stores charge a flat fee of $3 to $6. The math changes depending on the check size.

On a $50 check, a check-cashing store at 2 percent costs $1, while a retail store at $5 costs more. On a $500 check, the check-cashing store costs $10, while the retail store costs $5. The issuing bank is always cheapest if you can reach it.

To avoid fees entirely, open a bank account. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance. Once you have an account, you can deposit checks for free and withdraw cash at an ATM. This takes longer than cashing a check on the spot — deposits usually clear the next business day — but it costs nothing and builds a banking history.

What to do if the check bounces

A bounced check means the account it was drawn from did not have enough money. If you cash a check and it bounces, the location that cashed it will ask for the money back. If you have already spent it, you owe them the full amount plus a fee — usually $10 to $25.

The issuing bank is responsible for verifying funds before cashing the check, so if they cash a bad check, the loss is theirs. Check-cashing stores and retailers shift this risk to you — they cash the check and you bear the loss if it bounces. This is one reason the issuing bank is the safest choice.

If a check bounces, contact the person who wrote it when ready. They may reissue it or send you money another way. If they refuse or cannot be reached, you can take them to small claims court, but this is time-consuming and works only if you can prove they wrote the check intentionally without funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at a bank other than the one that issued it?

Only if you have an account there. If you do not, you must go to the issuing bank, a check-cashing store, or a retail location. Some banks will cash checks for non-customers, but this is rare and usually costs a fee.

What if the check is written to someone else?

You cannot cash it. The check must be made out to you or to you and another person. If it is made out to someone else, they must cash it or sign it over to you — and even then, most places will not accept a signed-over check. Ask the person who wrote it to reissue it in your name.

How long does it take to get the money?

Cashing a check at the issuing bank or a check-cashing store gives you cash when ready — within minutes. Depositing a check into a bank account takes longer; most banks credit the funds the next business day, though some hold checks for two to five business days.

Can I cash a check by mail or online?

No. You must present the check in person with a photo ID. Some banks allow you to deposit a check by taking a photo of it with your phone, but that requires a bank account. For cashing without an account, you must go in person.

What if I lost the check or it was damaged?

Contact the person who wrote it and ask them to stop payment on the original and write you a new one. This takes a few days. If the check is only slightly damaged — a small tear or water stain — the issuing bank may still cash it; call and ask first.