You can cash checks online through mobile check deposit services, check cashing apps, and some retailers—but each route has different requirements and fees
If you don't have a bank account, you have three main paths to turn a check into cash: use a check cashing app that connects to a prepaid card or digital wallet, take the check to a physical check cashing location, or deposit it through a retailer's service. The fastest online option is a mobile check deposit app paired with a prepaid card or money transfer account, which can deposit funds within one to three business days. Physical check cashing remains the most straightforward if you need cash the same day, though it costs more in fees.
The catch is that most online check deposit services technically require a bank account or a linked financial account—a prepaid card, money transfer account, or digital wallet counts as that account. True "no account" cashing means either going in person or using a check cashing app that deposits to a card you already have.
Key Takeaways
- Mobile check deposit apps like Chime, PayPal, and Square Cash can deposit checks to a prepaid card or digital wallet within one to three business days, with fees ranging from free to $5 per check.
- Check cashing apps like Earnin and Brigit advance cash against a check before it clears, but charge subscription fees or tips rather than per-check fees.
- Retailers like Walmart, Target, and grocery stores cash checks in person for a flat fee, usually $3 to $6, with no account required.
- Online check deposit requires a linked financial account—a prepaid card, digital wallet, or money transfer service counts, but a traditional bank account is not the only option.
- Fees vary widely: prepaid card deposits may be free, check cashing apps charge $1 to $5 per check, and in-person cashing at retailers costs $3 to $6.
Mobile check deposit apps that work without a bank account
Several apps let you photograph a check and deposit it to a prepaid card or digital wallet. Chime is the most common: if you have a Chime debit card (which you can open without a traditional bank account), you can deposit checks through the app. The deposit is free, and funds typically appear within one to three business days. Chime also offers early direct deposit if your employer participates, which can speed up paychecks.
PayPal lets you deposit checks to your PayPal balance or linked prepaid card. The fee is free for the first deposit each month, then $1 per check after that. Square Cash (now called Cash App) allows check deposits to your Cash App balance, with funds arriving in one to three business days; there is no per-check fee, though Cash App does charge for some other services. Google Pay and Apple Pay do not currently offer check deposit, but both work with partner banks and apps that do.
The process is the same across all these apps: photograph the front and back of the check, enter the amount, and confirm. The app holds the image for a set period (usually 30 to 90 days) before deleting it. If the check bounces or the amount is wrong, the app will reverse the deposit and notify you.
Check cashing apps that advance money before the check clears
Earnin and Brigit work differently: instead of depositing the check and waiting for it to clear, they advance you cash when ready against the check's value. You photograph the check in the app, and they deposit the funds to your linked prepaid card or bank account within minutes. When the check clears (usually within one to three business days), the advance is repaid from that deposit.
These apps charge a subscription fee rather than a per-check fee. Earnin uses a "pay what you think is fair" model, where you set a tip amount ($0 to $14 per advance), though the app suggests an amount. Brigit charges $9.99 per month for its basic plan. Both require you to link a prepaid card or digital wallet; a traditional bank account is not required, but some form of deposit account is.
The trade-off is speed: if you need cash today, these apps deliver it. If you can wait a few days, a free or low-fee deposit app like Chime or Cash App costs less overall.
In-person check cashing at retailers and check cashing stores
If you need cash the same day and do not want to set up an app, walk into a Walmart, Target, grocery store, or dedicated check cashing location with your check and ID. Most major retailers offer check cashing at the customer service desk for a flat fee of $3 to $6, depending on the check amount. No account is required—just the check and a valid ID.
Dedicated check cashing stores (sometimes called payday loan stores) also cash checks, but their fees are higher: typically 1% to 3% of the check amount, which can mean $10 to $30 on a $500 check. They are useful if no retailer is nearby, but the cost is steep compared to apps or retailers.
The advantage of in-person cashing is certainty: you walk out with cash, and there is no waiting for a deposit to clear. The disadvantage is the fee and the need to be present during business hours.
What information and documents you need
For any check cashing method, you will need the check itself and a valid photo ID. For app-based deposit, you photograph both the front and back of the check; the app reads the routing number, account number, and check number automatically. For in-person cashing, you hand the check and ID to the cashier.
Some apps ask for additional information the first time you use them: your full name, date of birth, and sometimes the last four digits of a Social Security number. This is for fraud prevention and compliance with banking regulations, not to determine whether you can use the service. If you are depositing a check made out to someone else, most apps and retailers will refuse it—the check must be in your name or have your name as a co-payee.
Fees and timing across different methods
| Method | Fee | Timing | Account Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chime mobile deposit | Free | 1–3 business days | Chime debit card |
| PayPal check deposit | Free first deposit/month, then $1 | 1–3 business days | PayPal account + linked card |
| Cash App check deposit | Free | 1–3 business days | Cash App account |
| Earnin advance | $0–$14 tip per advance | Minutes | Prepaid card or digital wallet |
| Brigit advance | $9.99/month subscription | Minutes | Prepaid card or digital wallet |
| Walmart/Target in-person | $3–$6 flat fee | Same day | None |
| Check cashing store | 1–3% of check amount | Same day | None |
How to choose the right method for your situation
If you have a few days and want to avoid fees, use Chime or Cash App. Both are free or nearly free, and funds arrive within one to three business days. If you already have a prepaid card from another service (like a payroll card from your employer), check whether that card's app supports mobile check deposit—many do, and you may not need to open a new account.
If you need cash today, go to a nearby retailer. The $3 to $6 fee is worth the certainty and speed. If you need cash within hours but do not want to leave home, use Earnin or Brigit—the tip or subscription fee is higher than a retailer's fee, but you get the money when ready.
Avoid dedicated check cashing stores unless no other option is available. Their fees are the highest, and the service is the same as what retailers offer for a fraction of the cost.
What happens if the check bounces or is fraudulent
If a check you deposit bounces (the account it was drawn on has insufficient funds), the app or retailer will reverse the deposit. If you already spent the money, you will owe it back. Most apps give you a few days' notice before reversing, so you have time to contact the check writer and ask them to cover the amount or issue a new check.
If a check is fraudulent—forged, altered, or stolen—the bank that issued it can reverse the deposit even weeks later. This is rare with personal checks from people you know, but it is a risk with checks from strangers or third parties. Never deposit a check you did not receive directly from the person or organization that issued it.
Apps like Earnin and Brigit protect themselves by holding the advance until the check clears. If the check bounces, they deduct the amount from your linked account. Read the terms of whichever service you use to understand what happens if a deposit fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deposit a check made out to someone else?
No. Most apps and retailers require the check to be in your name or have your name as a co-payee. If someone else wrote you a check but put their own name on it, ask them to write a new one in your name or sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]"—though many services still will not accept a third-party check.
How long does it take for a check to clear after I deposit it online?
Most apps show the deposit within one to three business days. Weekends and holidays do not count as business days, so a check deposited on Friday may not clear until Wednesday. Earnin and Brigit advance the money when ready, but the underlying check still takes one to three business days to clear from the issuing bank.
What if I do not have a valid photo ID?
In-person cashing at retailers requires a valid ID—a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Apps are more flexible: some ask for an ID number but do not always verify it when ready. If you do not have an ID, your only option is to ask someone with an ID to cash the check for you, though they will need to sign the back of the check.
Can I deposit a check from my employer online without a bank account?
Yes, as long as you have a prepaid card, digital wallet, or money transfer account linked to an app that accepts check deposits. Chime, Cash App, and PayPal all work. Some employers also offer payroll cards that have built-in mobile deposit, which is often free.
Is it safe to photograph my check and send it to an app?
Yes, if you use an official app from a recognized company like Chime, PayPal, or Cash App. These apps encrypt the images and delete them after a set period. Do not photograph a check and text or email it to someone, and do not use an app you have never heard of. Stick to apps from major financial companies or retailers.