Places that will cash your check right now
You can cash a check at your bank or credit union even without an account — most will do it for a fee, usually $5 to $10. If you don't have a bank relationship at all, your options are a check-cashing store, a grocery store, Walmart, or your employer's payroll office.
Check-cashing stores exist specifically for this. They cash checks on the spot, typically charging 1 to 3 percent of the check amount — so a $500 check costs $5 to $15. The fee is higher than a bank's flat fee on small checks, but lower on large ones. They're open longer hours than banks, often including evenings and weekends, and the process takes minutes.
Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks as part of their services desk. Fees vary by location and check type, but many charge $3 to $5 for personal checks. Walmart's policy is typically $3 for checks under $1,000. These places are convenient if you're already shopping, but call ahead — not every location offers this service.
Key Takeaways
- Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount (usually 1 to 3 percent), making them cheaper for large checks but more expensive for small ones.
- Banks and credit unions will cash checks from non-customers for a flat fee, typically $5 to $10, regardless of check size.
- Grocery stores and Walmart offer check cashing at their service desks for $3 to $5, but availability varies by location.
- Your employer's payroll office will cash your own paycheck for free if you ask, and this is the fastest option for employee paychecks.
- You'll need a valid ID and the check must be made out to you — checks made out to someone else cannot be cashed by you.
How to choose between check-cashing stores and banks
The math depends on the check amount. A $100 check costs $1 to $3 at a check-cashing store but $5 to $10 at a bank — the bank is more expensive. A $1,000 check costs $10 to $30 at a check-cashing store but still $5 to $10 at a bank — the bank is cheaper. For checks under $300, check-cashing stores usually win. For checks over $500, banks usually win.
Check-cashing stores are faster and more convenient if you need cash when ready. They're open evenings and weekends, and the transaction takes 5 to 10 minutes. Banks have shorter hours and may require you to wait in line. However, banks are safer — check-cashing stores have been targets for robbery, and some charge additional fees if the check bounces.
If you're cashing a paycheck from your employer, ask your payroll office first. Most will cash it on the spot for free. This is the fastest and cheapest option and requires no ID beyond your employee status.
What you need to bring and what can go wrong
You'll need a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The check must be made out to you by name. If the check is made out to someone else, you cannot cash it, even if they sign the back. Some places will cash a check made out to "Cash" or "Bearer," but this is becoming less common.
The check must not be post-dated — that is, the date on the check cannot be in the future. If it is, you'll have to wait until that date to cash it. The check also cannot be more than 6 months old; banks and check-cashing stores will refuse checks older than that.
If the check bounces after you cash it, the check-cashing store or bank can pursue you for the amount. Some stores charge a fee ($15 to $25) if a check bounces. This is why cashing at your employer's payroll office is safest — their checks don't bounce.
Check-cashing stores versus payday lenders
Check-cashing stores and payday lenders are different businesses, though they often operate in the same location. A check-cashing store cashes a check you already have. A payday lender gives you cash now in exchange for a postdated check or electronic access to your bank account, charging interest rates that can exceed 400 percent annually.
If you have a check, use a check-cashing store. Do not use a payday lender unless you have no other option and understand the cost. Payday loans are designed to trap you in a cycle of borrowing — you borrow $300, pay $45 in fees, and when you can't repay in two weeks, you borrow again and pay another $45.
Online and mobile check cashing
Some banks and financial services offer mobile check deposit through their apps, but this requires having an account with them. If you don't have a bank account, this option is closed to you.
Some check-cashing services operate online or through apps, but they require you to have a bank account to deposit the funds into. They photograph the check and deposit it electronically, which takes 1 to 3 business days. Again, this doesn't help if you have no account.
The only way to get cash when ready without a bank account is to visit a physical location — a check-cashing store, bank, grocery store, or your employer's payroll office.
Fees compared side by side
| Location | Fee structure | Speed | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-cashing store | 1–3% of check amount | 5–10 minutes | Often evenings and weekends |
| Bank (non-customer) | $5–$10 flat fee | 10–20 minutes | Business hours only |
| Walmart | $3 for checks under $1,000 | 5–10 minutes | Store hours (often until 11 p.m.) |
| Grocery store | $3–$5 (varies by location) | 5–10 minutes | Store hours |
| Employer payroll office | Free | 5 minutes | Business hours |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check made out to someone else?
No. The check must be made out to you by name. If it's made out to someone else, they must cash it themselves or sign it over to you and add "Pay to the order of [your name]" on the back — but most banks and check-cashing stores will refuse to accept a third-party check even with this signature.
What if the check is post-dated?
You cannot cash a post-dated check before the date on it. The check-cashing store or bank will refuse it. You'll have to wait until that date arrives, then return to cash it.
Do I need a bank account to cash a check at Walmart?
No. Walmart's check-cashing service is available to anyone with a valid ID. The check must be made out to you, and Walmart charges $3 for personal checks under $1,000.
What happens if the check bounces after I cash it?
The check-cashing store or bank can pursue you for the amount and may charge you a fee ($15 to $25). This is rare with paychecks from established employers, but it can happen with personal checks from individuals or small businesses.
Is it cheaper to use a check-cashing store or a bank?
It depends on the check amount. For checks under $300, check-cashing stores are usually cheaper because they charge a percentage rather than a flat fee. For checks over $500, banks are usually cheaper. For checks between $300 and $500, compare the specific fees at your nearest locations.