You can cash a personal check at the bank that issued it, at a check-cashing store, or at some retailers — each route has different fees and speed
If you do not have a bank account, you have several places to turn when someone gives you a check. The fastest and cheapest option is usually the bank that issued the check — the one printed on the front. That bank will cash it for you even if you are not a customer, though some charge a fee for non-customers. Check-cashing stores will cash checks the same day but charge a percentage of the check amount, typically 1 to 3 percent. Walmart, Target, and some grocery stores also cash checks, usually with a flat fee rather than a percentage.
The catch is that each place has limits on check size, requires ID, and may refuse checks that look altered or suspicious. Knowing which option works for your situation — and what to bring — saves you time and money.
Key Takeaways
- The issuing bank will cash the check for free or a small fee if you bring a valid ID, even if you do not have an account there.
- Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount (usually 1 to 3 percent) and are open longer hours than banks, but cost more overall.
- Walmart and some grocery stores cash checks with a flat fee, typically $3 to $6, making them cheaper for larger checks.
- You will need a government-issued photo ID at any location, and some places will not cash checks over a certain amount or from certain types of accounts.
- Personal checks from individuals take longer to clear than payroll checks, and some locations will not cash them at all.
Cashing at the bank that issued the check
The bank name appears on the front of the check, usually at the top left. Walk into any branch of that bank with your check and a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Tell the teller you want to cash the check. They will verify the check is real, confirm the account has funds, and hand you cash.
Most banks cash checks for non-customers at no charge, but some charge $5 to $10. Call the bank's customer service line before you go, or ask the teller when you arrive. This is the safest and usually the cheapest route because the bank can verify the check when ready and you get cash on the spot.
The main limitation is hours — banks 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.
Check-cashing stores and payday lenders
Check-cashing stores are designed for people without bank accounts. They cash checks the same day, are open longer than banks (often until 8 or 9 p.m. and on Saturdays), and do not require you to have an account. The cost is a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 3 percent, though it can be higher. On a $500 check, that is $5 to $15.
You will need a government-issued photo ID and sometimes a second form of ID, like a utility bill or lease with your name on it. Some stores will not cash personal checks from individuals, only payroll checks or government checks. Call ahead to confirm they cash the type of check you have.
Check-cashing stores often have lower limits on personal checks than on payroll checks. A store might cash a $1,000 payroll check but refuse a personal check over $500. Ask about the limit before you hand over the check.
Walmart, Target, and grocery store check cashing
Many Walmart and Target locations cash checks at the customer service desk. Grocery chains like Kroger, Safeway, and Publix also offer this service. The fee is usually a flat amount — $3 to $6 — rather than a percentage, which makes this option cheaper for larger checks. A $500 check costs $3 to $6, compared to $5 to $15 at a check-cashing store.
Bring a government-issued photo ID. Most retailers will not cash personal checks from individuals — only payroll checks, government checks, tax refund checks, and checks from businesses. If your check is from a friend or family member, this route will not work. Call the store's customer service desk to confirm they cash the type of check you have and what their fee is.
Limits vary by location. Some stores will not cash checks over $1,000 or $2,000. Hours are longer than banks — many are open until 10 or 11 p.m. and on weekends — but call ahead to confirm the check-cashing desk is staffed when you plan to go.
What you need to bring and what can go wrong
Every location requires a government-issued photo ID with your current address. A driver's license or state ID is best. A passport works but is less common. Some check-cashing stores also ask for a second form of ID, such as a utility bill, lease, or recent bank statement with your name and address.
The check itself must be made out to you by name. If the name on the check does not match your ID exactly, most places will refuse it. If someone else wrote the check to you and you want to cash it, you may be able to sign the back and have that person sign it too (called a third-party check), but many banks and stores no longer accept third-party checks because of fraud risk. Ask first.
Checks that are post-dated (dated in the future), stale-dated (more than six months old), or appear altered will be refused. If the check is damaged, torn, or has writing on it that looks like it was changed, do not bother — it will not be cashed.
Personal checks versus payroll and government checks
A personal check is one written by an individual from their own account. A payroll check comes from an employer. A government check comes from a federal, state, or local agency. Check-cashing stores and retailers treat these differently because personal checks carry more fraud risk.
Payroll and government checks are cashed the same day with no questions. Personal checks may take longer to clear — the store or bank may hold the funds for 24 to 48 hours to make sure the account has money and the check is not fraudulent. Some check-cashing stores and retailers will not cash personal checks at all, only payroll and government checks. Always confirm before you go.
If the person who wrote you the check is a business owner, the check may be a business check, which some places treat like a payroll check. Look at the check — if it has a business name and address, it is a business check.
Comparing cost and speed across options
| Location | Fee | Speed | Hours | Personal Checks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing bank | $0–$10 | Same day | Weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Yes |
| Check-cashing store | 1–3% of check | Same day | Until 8–9 p.m., Saturdays | Often no |
| Walmart/Target | $3–$6 flat | Same day | Until 10–11 p.m., weekends | Usually no |
| Grocery store | $3–$6 flat | Same day | Until 10–11 p.m., weekends | Usually no |
If you have a personal check from an individual, the issuing bank is your most reliable option. If you have a payroll or government check and need cash outside bank hours, a check-cashing store or retailer is faster and often cheaper than a bank fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check made out to someone else?
Not usually. The check must be made out to you by name. If someone else wrote the check to another person and that person wants to sign it over to you (a third-party check), most banks and stores will refuse it because of fraud risk. The safest option is to have the original person deposit it into their account and send you the money another way.
What if the bank that issued the check is not in my area?
You can still cash it at any branch of that bank, even if it is far away. If there is no branch nearby, you can deposit it into a bank account if you open one, or use a check-cashing store. Some check-cashing stores charge more for out-of-state checks, so call ahead.
How long does it take to get the money?
At the issuing bank, a check-cashing store, or a retailer, you get cash the same day. The teller or cashier verifies the check and hands you money when ready. There is no waiting period unless the store decides to hold the funds, which is rare for payroll and government checks but more common for personal checks.
What if I do not have a photo ID?
You will not be able to cash the check. Every location requires government-issued photo ID to prevent fraud. If you do not have a driver's license or state ID, you can get one from your state's DMV. A passport also works but is less convenient to carry.
Can I cash a check online without a bank account?
Some mobile check-cashing apps like Chime, Dave, and Earnin let you photograph a check and deposit it without a bank account, though most require you to set up an account with them first. The funds may take one to three business days to arrive. These apps charge fees or ask for tips, so compare the cost to a check-cashing store before you use them.