The most direct routes when neither of you has a bank
You can send money to someone without a bank account through cash transfer services, prepaid cards, mobile payment apps, or in person. The fastest and cheapest method depends on whether you both have smartphones, whether you need the money to arrive today or can wait a few days, and how much you are sending. If you have a bank account and they do not, you have more options than if neither of you does.
The person receiving the money does not need to open a bank account to collect it. Most services let them pick up cash at a physical location, receive it on a prepaid card, or have it deposited to someone else's account on their behalf. The trade-off is usually speed versus cost: the fastest methods charge the most, and the cheapest methods take the longest.
Key Takeaways
- Money transfer services like Western Union and MoneyGram let you send cash that the recipient picks up in person with ID, usually within minutes to hours.
- Mobile payment apps like Cash App, Venmo, and PayPal work only if both people have smartphones and bank accounts or linked cards, so they do not work if the recipient has no bank account.
- Prepaid cards loaded with money can be mailed or handed over in person, but the recipient must set up the card and may face monthly fees.
- Bank-to-bank transfers and peer-to-peer payment apps require at least one person to have a bank account, making them impossible if neither of you does.
- Sending cash by mail is free but slow and risky; insured mail services exist but add cost and complexity.
Cash transfer services: fastest if you both can reach a location
Western Union and MoneyGram are the largest cash transfer networks in the United States. You walk into a participating store (grocery stores, pharmacies, check-cashing shops, Walmart), give the agent cash and the recipient's name, and they issue a reference number. The recipient goes to any participating location with a photo ID and the reference number, and walks out with cash. The whole process takes minutes to hours depending on the service level you choose.
Western Union charges between $5 and $50 depending on the amount sent and how fast you need it to arrive. MoneyGram charges similarly. Both offer a standard service (usually same-day or next-day) and an express service (minutes). If you send $100, expect to pay $5 to $15. If you send $1,000, expect $20 to $50. The recipient pays nothing.
The catch is that both people need access to a participating location. Western Union and MoneyGram are in most Walmarts, CVS stores, Walgreens, and independent check-cashing shops, but not everywhere. If the recipient lives in a rural area or does not have transportation, this method may not work.
Mobile payment apps: only if both have bank accounts or linked cards
Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, and Square Cash are the most common peer-to-peer payment apps. You read the app, link a bank account or debit card, and send money to the recipient's phone number or username. The money usually arrives within one to three business days, and there is no fee if you send from a linked bank account.
These apps do not work if the recipient has no bank account or linked debit card. The recipient must have a smartphone, read the app, and link their own payment method to receive or cash out the money. If they do not have a bank account, they cannot complete this step. Some apps let you send to a prepaid card instead, but the recipient still needs to set up an account first.
If both of you have bank accounts or linked cards, these apps are the cheapest option for amounts under $1,000. They are also the slowest for same-day needs, since most take one to three business days. If you need the money to arrive today, use a cash transfer service instead.
Prepaid cards: works if you can mail or hand over the card
You can buy a prepaid card at a grocery store or pharmacy, load it with money, and give it to the recipient. The card works like a debit card at any store or ATM. The recipient does not need a bank account, but they do need to set up the card (usually by phone or online) and may need a Social Security number to do so.
Prepaid cards cost $5 to $15 to buy, and many charge monthly maintenance fees of $2 to $5 if the card is not used. Some cards charge ATM withdrawal fees. If you load $200 onto a card and the recipient does not use it for three months, they may lose $6 to $15 in fees. Read the fee schedule before you buy.
This method works best if you can hand the card to the recipient in person or mail it to a stable address. It does not work if you need the money to arrive today, since mailing takes several days. It also does not work if the recipient cannot or will not set up the card.
Mailing cash: free but slow and risky
You can put cash in an envelope and mail it. It costs nothing except postage. The recipient gets the money in three to five business days depending on distance. The risk is that mail can be lost, stolen, or delayed, and you have no way to recover the money if it does not arrive.
The U.S. Postal Service offers Registered Mail, which adds insurance and a signature requirement. Registered Mail costs $15 to $20 on top of postage and takes longer than regular mail, but it gives you proof of delivery and the ability to file a claim if the package does not arrive. For amounts under $100, the cost of Registered Mail often exceeds the value of the money, making it impractical.
Mailing cash is a last resort. Use it only if the recipient has no access to a cash transfer service, no smartphone, and no bank account, and you can afford to lose the money if it does not arrive.
International transfers: different rules and higher costs
If you are sending money outside the United States, Western Union and MoneyGram still work, but fees are higher and the recipient may face restrictions on how much they can withdraw. Bank transfers through services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) are cheaper for larger amounts but require both people to have bank accounts.
International cash transfer services like Remitly, OFX, and Xoom (owned by PayPal) offer lower fees than Western Union for some countries, but again require at least one person to have a bank account. If the recipient has no bank account and no access to a Western Union or MoneyGram location, your options are very limited.
Exchange rates and fees vary widely by country and service. For amounts over $500, compare fees across at least three services before sending. Some countries have restrictions on cash transfers or require the recipient to provide identification beyond a photo ID.
Comparing the methods: speed, cost, and what you need
| Method | Speed | Cost | Recipient needs | You need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Union / MoneyGram | Minutes to hours | $5–$50 per transfer | Photo ID, location access | Cash, location access |
| Cash App / Venmo / PayPal | 1–3 business days | Free (from bank account) | Bank account or linked card | Bank account or linked card |
| Prepaid card | 1–5 days (mail) or when ready (in person) | $5–$15 plus monthly fees | Ability to set up card | Cash, card purchase location |
| Registered Mail | 5–7 business days | $15–$20 plus postage | Mailing address | Cash, postage |
| Regular mail | 3–5 business days | Postage only (~$0.68) | Mailing address | Cash, postage |
What to do if the recipient has no ID
Western Union and MoneyGram require the recipient to show a photo ID to pick up cash. If the recipient has no ID, they cannot use these services. Some locations may accept a state ID card, passport, or tribal ID, but not all. Call ahead to ask what the location accepts.
If the recipient cannot get an ID, your options narrow to prepaid cards (if they can set up one), mobile payment apps (if they have a bank account), or mailing cash. Some prepaid cards do not require an ID to set up, but many do. Read the card's terms before you buy.
If the recipient is undocumented or otherwise unable to get an ID, prepaid cards and mailing are your most realistic options. Be aware that some prepaid card companies are tightening ID requirements, so call the card issuer before you load money onto it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money to someone if I do not have a bank account either?
Yes, but your options are limited. You can use Western Union or MoneyGram if you both have access to a location and the recipient has a photo ID. You can also mail cash, buy a prepaid card and mail it, or hand over cash in person. You cannot use mobile payment apps or bank transfers.
What is the cheapest way to send money?
Regular mail is free except for postage (about $0.68), but it is slow and risky. Mobile payment apps are free if both people have bank accounts. Western Union and MoneyGram cost $5 to $50 depending on the amount. Prepaid cards cost $5 to $15 upfront plus potential monthly fees. For amounts under $100, mobile apps are cheapest if available; otherwise, mail is cheapest if you can accept the risk.
How long does it take to send money through Western Union?
Standard service usually takes a few hours to one business day. Express service can deliver in minutes. The exact time depends on the location and time of day you send it. Call the location where the recipient will pick it up to confirm their hours and whether they offer express service.
Can I send money to a prepaid card if the recipient does not have one yet?
Yes. You can buy a prepaid card at a grocery store or pharmacy, load it with money, and give it to the recipient. They will need to set up it, usually by phone or online, and may need a Social Security number. Some prepaid cards charge monthly fees, so read the terms before you buy.
What happens if the money does not arrive?
It depends on the method. With Western Union or MoneyGram, you can call the service and ask them to trace the transfer; if it was not picked up, they can refund you. With mobile apps, you can contact the app's customer service. With mailed cash, you have no recourse unless you used Registered Mail, which lets you file an insurance claim. This is why mailing large amounts of cash is risky.