The fastest places to cash a check near you

Your bank or credit union will cash your check for free if you have an account there — that is the cheapest option and usually the fastest. Walk in during business hours with your ID and the check, and you will walk out with cash. If you do not bank there, most banks will still cash checks drawn on their own institution, though some charge a small fee (usually $5 to $10) and a few refuse to cash checks for non-customers.

Check-cashing stores, pawn shops, and grocery store customer service desks are open longer and do not require an account. Grocery stores often cash checks for free if you are buying groceries, or for a small fee if you are not. Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 3 percent — so a $100 check might cost $1 to $3. Pawn shops usually charge a flat fee, often $5 to $15 depending on the check amount.

Walmart, Target, and other large retailers cash checks at the customer service desk during store hours. Walmart charges $3 for checks up to $1,000 and $6 for checks over $1,000. Target charges $2 to $5 depending on the check amount. These are usually cheaper than dedicated check-cashing stores and more convenient if you are already shopping.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank or credit union cashes checks for free and is the cheapest option, even if you have to wait until the next business day.
  • Grocery stores, Walmart, and Target cash checks at customer service desks for $2 to $6, with no account required.
  • Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, so they cost more but stay open later and on weekends.
  • You will need a valid government-issued ID at any location, and the check must be made out to you or properly signed over by the original payee.
  • Bring the physical check and your ID — most places do not cash checks by phone or online.

What to bring and what to expect

Bring a valid government-issued ID — a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. The check must be made out to you by name, or if it is made out to someone else, that person must sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. Some places refuse to cash third-party checks, so call ahead if you are not the original payee.

The process takes 5 to 15 minutes at most locations. The cashier will examine the check for the date, amount, signature, and routing number, then ask for your ID to verify your name matches. They will count out your cash and you will sign a receipt or the back of the check. Some places run a quick background check through a system called ChexSystems, which takes a few seconds and does not affect your credit.

When your bank is closed or you need cash now

If it is after hours or the weekend, check-cashing stores and grocery stores are your fastest option. Many check-cashing stores stay open until 8 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and open on Saturday mornings. Walmart is open until 11 p.m. in most locations and open on Sundays. Call ahead to confirm hours, because some locations close earlier than the main store.

If you need the money immediately and do not want to pay a fee, you can deposit the check into your bank account using a mobile app (if your bank offers mobile deposit) and withdraw cash from an ATM. Mobile deposit usually takes 1 to 2 business days to clear, so this does not work if you need cash today. Some banks offer next-day clearing for mobile deposits, but this varies by institution.

Fees and how they compare

Your bank or credit union: free for customers, $5 to $10 for non-customers (if they cash it at all).

Grocery stores: free if you are buying groceries, $1 to $3 if you are not.

Walmart: $3 for checks up to $1,000; $6 for checks over $1,000.

Target: $2 to $5 depending on check amount.

Check-cashing stores: 1 to 3 percent of the check amount (so $1 to $3 on a $100 check).

Pawn shops: $5 to $15 flat fee.

The fee structure means check-cashing stores become more expensive as the check amount grows. On a $500 check, a 2 percent fee costs $10, which is more than Walmart's $6 flat fee. On a $50 check, the same 2 percent fee is only $1, which is cheaper than Walmart. If you cash checks regularly, your own bank account is the only option that costs nothing.

Finding locations near you

Use Google Maps or your bank's website to find branches near you. Type "check cashing near me" or "Walmart near me" into Google Maps to see locations, hours, and customer reviews. Call ahead before you go — some branches have different policies, and a few locations may not cash checks on certain days.

If you do not have a bank account and cash checks regularly, opening a basic checking account at a credit union or community bank is worth considering. Many credit unions have no monthly fees and no minimum balance, so the free check-cashing benefit pays for itself after a few checks.

What happens if the check bounces

If the check is returned for insufficient funds, the location that cashed it will contact you and ask you to repay the amount. You are responsible for the full check amount plus any fee the cashing location charges (usually $15 to $25). This is why the cashier examines the check carefully and may run a background check — they are protecting themselves and you from a bad check.

If you suspect a check might bounce, do not cash it. Contact the person who wrote it and ask them to confirm the funds are there, or wait a few days to see if the check clears through your bank account first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check that is made out to someone else?

Only if that person signs the back and writes "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. This is called a third-party check. Many places refuse to cash them because the risk of fraud is higher. Call ahead to confirm the location will accept it.

What if I do not have a government ID?

Most places will not cash a check without one. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. If you do not have any of these, you will need to open a bank account first, which requires an ID anyway.

Can I cash a check online or by phone?

No. You must bring the physical check and your ID to a location in person. Some banks let you deposit checks remotely using a mobile app, but that is different from cashing — the money goes into your account and you withdraw it later.

Do I need an account at the bank to cash a check there?

Not always. Most banks will cash checks drawn on their own bank for non-customers, though some charge a fee. Call your local branch to ask their policy before you go.

What if the check is post-dated or very old?

A post-dated check (dated in the future) cannot be cashed until that date arrives. A check older than six months is considered stale and most places will refuse to cash it. Contact the person who wrote it and ask for a new check if yours is too old.