You can cash a personal check at a grocery store, check-cashing service, or the bank that issued it—even without an account of your own

A personal check is a written instruction to move money from someone else's bank account to you. You do not need a bank account to turn that check into cash. The person or business who wrote the check has already authorized the money to leave their account, so your job is straightforward to find a place that will verify the check is real and hand you the cash.

The fastest and cheapest option depends on what you have with you (ID, the check itself) and how much time you have. Some places cash checks in minutes. Others take longer or charge a fee. A few will turn you away if you do not have the right documents.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank or credit union that issued the check will cash it for free if you bring the check and a valid ID, even if you have no account there.
  • Grocery stores, Walmart, and Target cash checks for free or a small fee during their regular hours, and you can often do it while shopping.
  • Check-cashing services charge a percentage of the check amount (usually 1 to 5 percent) but are open longer hours and may cash checks other places refuse.
  • You will need a government-issued photo ID for any of these options; some places also ask for a second form of ID or a phone number.
  • Payroll checks and government checks (tax refunds, Social Security) are easier to cash than personal checks and may have lower or no fees.

Cashing a check at the bank that issued it

The bank or credit union that holds the account the check was written from will cash it for you at no cost. You do not need an account there. Walk into any branch during business hours with the check and a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID card). A teller will verify the check is real, confirm the account has enough money, and hand you cash.

This is the fastest and cheapest route if you know which bank issued the check. The bank name appears at the top of the check. If you are unsure, call the number on the check or ask the person who wrote it. Most banks cash checks in under five minutes.

The main limitation is hours. Most bank branches close by 5 or 6 p.m. on weekdays and are closed on weekends and holidays. If you need cash outside those hours, you will need a different option.

Cashing a check at a grocery store or big-box retailer

Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and most other large grocery chains cash personal checks at their customer service desk during store hours. Fees vary: some charge nothing, others charge $3 to $6 per check. Call ahead or check the store's website to confirm they cash checks and what the fee is.

Bring the check and a valid photo ID. Some stores ask for a second form of ID or a phone number. The process takes 5 to 10 minutes. Many of these retailers are open until 10 or 11 p.m. on weekdays and have weekend hours, so this is a good option if the bank is closed.

Grocery stores and retailers are more likely to refuse a check if the amount is very large (over $1,000), if the check is post-dated (written for a future date), or if you have no ID. Ask at the customer service desk before you get in line.

Using a check-cashing service

Check-cashing stores are businesses that turn checks into cash for a fee. They are common in urban and lower-income neighborhoods. You bring the check and a photo ID, and they verify the check and hand you cash, usually within minutes.

The fee is typically 1 to 5 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, that could be $5 to $25. Fees are higher for personal checks than for payroll or government checks. Some services charge a flat fee instead of a percentage.

Check-cashing services are useful if the bank is closed, if you have no ID (some will accept other documents), or if you need to cash a check that a grocery store or bank has refused. However, they are the most expensive option. If you have any other choice, use it first.

What happens if you do not have an ID

Most places will not cash a check without a government-issued photo ID. This is a federal requirement under anti-money-laundering rules. A driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all work.

If you have no photo ID, a check-cashing service is your best option. Some will accept a combination of documents—a utility bill, bank statement, or Social Security card—in place of a photo ID. Call ahead to ask what they accept. You may also pay a higher fee for cashing without a photo ID.

If you are getting a check from someone you know and trust, you could ask them to cash it themselves and give you the money, though this puts the burden on them and removes your record of the transaction.

Cashing a check by mail or online

If you have a bank account elsewhere, you can deposit the check into that account by mail or through a mobile app, even if the check was not written to you. Some banks let you photograph the check with your phone and deposit it that way. The money usually appears in your account within 1 to 5 business days, depending on the bank.

This is not cashing the check—you are depositing it into an account you control. You will then need to withdraw the cash from that account using an ATM or a teller. But if you have time and access to a bank account, this avoids fees and works around bank hours.

If you do not have a bank account, some credit unions and community banks offer second-chance accounts that are easier to open than traditional bank accounts. Opening an account takes 15 to 30 minutes and usually requires an ID and a small deposit.

Checks that are easier or harder to cash

Payroll checks and government checks (tax refunds, Social Security, unemployment) are easier to cash than personal checks. Most places cash them for free or a lower fee, and they are less likely to be refused. Bring the check and your ID, and you will usually have no trouble.

Personal checks from individuals are harder to cash because there is a higher risk the account does not have enough money or the check is fraudulent. Some places will not cash a personal check from someone they do not know. Post-dated checks (written for a future date) cannot be cashed until that date arrives, even if you try earlier.

Checks written for very large amounts ($5,000 or more) may be refused by retailers and check-cashing services because the risk is higher. The bank that issued the check will usually cash it, but may ask questions about why you need that much cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash someone else's check if my name is not on it?

No. A check is a legal instruction to pay the person whose name is printed on it. If your name is not on the check, you cannot cash it, even if the person who wrote it gives you permission. The person who wrote the check must cash it themselves or deposit it into their own account and then give you the money.

What if the check is torn or damaged?

Most places will still cash a torn or slightly damaged check as long as all the key information is readable: the date, amount, account number, and signature. If large pieces are missing or the check is wet or illegible, the bank or check-cashing service may refuse it. Ask before you wait in line.

How long does a check stay valid?

A personal check is typically valid for six months from the date written on it. After six months, banks may refuse to cash it. If the check is older than six months, ask the person who wrote it to write you a new one. Some banks will cash very old checks if you ask, but they are not required to.

Can I cash a check if I do not know the person who wrote it?

Yes, but some places may refuse. The bank that issued the check will cash it for anyone with a valid ID. Grocery stores and check-cashing services may ask questions if the check is from a stranger, especially if the amount is large. Be honest about where the check came from.

What if the check bounces after I cash it?

If the account does not have enough money when the check is processed, the bank will try to recover the cash from whoever cashed it. If you cashed it at a bank or retailer, they will pursue you for the money. If you spent the cash, you will owe it back. This is rare but possible, so cash checks only from people or businesses you trust.