Where you can cash a check without opening an account
You can cash a personal check at the bank or credit union that issued it, at a check-cashing store, at some retail locations, or through a mobile check deposit service if you have a smartphone. The bank that issued the check—the one printed on the front—will cash it for free if you go in person with a valid ID, even if you have no account there. Check-cashing stores and retail locations charge a fee, usually between 1 and 5 percent of the check amount, and may require additional ID or impose limits on how large a check they will cash.
The fastest option is almost always the issuing bank itself. Walk in during business hours with your ID and the check, and you will walk out with cash the same day. No account needed, no fee. The trade-off is that you have to go to a physical location during their hours. If that is not possible, a check-cashing store or retail location is your next option, but you will pay for the convenience.
Key Takeaways
- The bank or credit union that issued the check will cash it for free in person with a valid ID, regardless of whether you have an account.
- Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 5 percent of the check amount and may require additional forms of ID or proof of address.
- Retail locations like Walmart, Target, and grocery stores cash checks for a flat fee, usually $3 to $6, and have fewer restrictions than check-cashing stores.
- Mobile check deposit through a prepaid card or money transfer app lets you deposit a check remotely, though you will need a smartphone and the service may take one to three business days.
- Endorsing the check to someone else (a third party) is legally risky and many businesses will not accept it.
Cashing at the issuing bank or credit union
The issuing bank is the one whose name appears on the front of the check, below the routing number. If the check is from your employer, it is the bank your employer uses. If it is a personal check from someone else, it is their bank. Call ahead or check their website to confirm they cash checks for non-customers—most do, but some have stopped the practice.
Bring a valid government-issued ID: a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Some banks will also ask to see a second form of ID, such as a utility bill or lease with your name and address. The teller will verify the check is legitimate, check that the signature matches the ID, and hand you cash. This takes 10 to 15 minutes. There is no fee.
If the check is written to two people (joint payees), both people must be present with ID. If it is written to you and says "or" between the names, either person can cash it alone. If it says "and," both must sign and both must be present.
Check-cashing stores and their fees
A check-cashing store is a business that cashes checks for a fee. They are common in urban areas and less common in suburbs and rural areas. The fee is usually a percentage of the check amount—typically 1 to 5 percent—though some charge a flat fee instead. A $500 check might cost $10 to $25 to cash, depending on the store and the check type.
You will need a valid ID and sometimes a second form of ID with your address. Some stores require you to provide a phone number or email. Many have limits on how large a check they will cash—some will not touch anything over $5,000. Call ahead to ask about their fee, their ID requirements, and their limits before you go.
Check-cashing stores are faster than banks if you do not have an account at the issuing bank, and they are open longer hours than most banks. The downside is the fee and the fact that some stores are in inconvenient locations or have reputations for aggressive upselling of payday loans and other high-cost products. Go in, cash the check, and leave.
Retail locations that cash checks
Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and many other grocery and discount stores cash checks at the customer service desk. The fee is usually a flat amount—$3 to $6—rather than a percentage, which makes them cheaper than check-cashing stores for larger checks. A $500 check costs $3 to $6 at a retail location versus $10 to $25 at a check-cashing store.
You will need a valid ID. Some stores require a membership card (like a Walmart or Target card) or a rewards account, though many do not. Limits vary by store—some will cash checks up to $5,000, others cap it at $1,000 or $2,000. Call the store's customer service desk or check their website before you go.
Retail locations are often more convenient than check-cashing stores because they are in neighborhoods where you already shop. The downside is that they may not be open as late as check-cashing stores, and some locations have stopped cashing checks altogether. Call ahead to confirm.
Mobile check deposit through apps and prepaid cards
If you have a smartphone, you can deposit a check remotely using a mobile check deposit service. Some prepaid card companies, money transfer apps, and online banks offer this feature. You photograph the front and back of the check, submit it through the app, and the money appears in your account within one to three business days.
The advantage is that you do not have to go anywhere. The disadvantage is that you need a smartphone with a camera, you need to set up an account with the service (which may require a Social Security number or other personal information), and you have to wait for the deposit to clear. Some services charge a small fee; others do not.
Popular services that offer mobile check deposit include PayPal, Square Cash, Chime, and various prepaid card companies. Not all of them accept checks from all sources—some have restrictions on business checks or government checks. Check the app's terms before you try to deposit.
What to know about third-party checks
A third-party check is one written to someone else that they sign over to you. For example, if a check is written to your friend and they sign the back and write "pay to the order of [your name]," you could theoretically cash it. In practice, this is legally risky and most banks and check-cashing stores will not accept it.
The reason is that third-party checks are a common tool for fraud. A bank or store that accepts one is taking on legal liability if the check turns out to be stolen or fraudulent. Most have policies against them. If you need to cash a check written to someone else, ask that person to cash it themselves and give you the cash, or ask them to deposit it into their account and transfer you the money.
Comparing your options by speed and cost
| Option | Speed | Cost | What You Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing bank in person | Same day (10–15 min) | Free | Valid ID |
| Check-cashing store | Same day (10–20 min) | 1–5% of check amount | Valid ID, sometimes second ID |
| Retail location (Walmart, Target, etc.) | Same day (10–20 min) | $3–$6 flat fee | Valid ID, sometimes membership card |
| Mobile check deposit | 1–3 business days | Free or small fee | Smartphone, app account |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check if the name on the check does not match my ID exactly?
Minor differences—a middle initial missing, a nickname instead of a legal name—are usually fine. The teller is looking to confirm you are the person the check is written to. If your legal name is Robert but the check says Bob, bring your ID and explain. If the names are very different, the bank or store may refuse. Ask the person who wrote the check to write a new one with the name that matches your ID.
What if the check is post-dated (written for a future date)?
Banks and check-cashing stores are not legally required to honor a post-dated check before that date, though many will. Some will refuse it outright. Call ahead and ask the specific location whether they will cash a post-dated check, or wait until the date on the check arrives.
Can I cash a check if it is torn or damaged?
If the damage is minor and the check is still readable, most banks and check-cashing stores will cash it. If the damage is significant—if the amount is unclear, the signature is torn off, or the routing number is damaged—they will likely refuse. Ask the person who wrote the check to issue a replacement.
What happens if the check bounces after I cash it?
If you cash a check and it later bounces (the account does not have enough money), the bank or store that cashed it will reverse the transaction and take the money back from you. This can happen days or weeks later. If the money is already spent, you will owe it back. This is why cashing at the issuing bank is safest—they can verify the funds are there before they hand you cash.
Do I need to endorse the check before I cash it?
Yes. The back of the check has a line for your signature. Sign your name on that line before you hand it to the teller or cashier. Some places will ask you to sign in front of them. Do not sign it until you are ready to cash it, because a signed blank check can be cashed by anyone.