Where you can cash a check

You can cash a check at your bank, a check-cashing store, a grocery store, or Walmart. Your bank is usually the fastest and cheapest option — most banks cash checks for free if you have an account there. If you don't have a bank account, a check-cashing store will do it for a fee, typically between 1% and 5% of the check amount, though some charge a flat fee instead.

Grocery stores and Walmart often cash checks as a service to customers, usually for a small flat fee of $3 to $5. Some require you to have a store loyalty card or make a purchase. Call ahead to confirm they cash checks and what their current fee is, since policies change.

Your employer may also cash your paycheck on the spot if you ask, though this is less common now. Credit unions sometimes cash checks for non-members for a small fee, so if you belong to one, that's worth asking about.

Key Takeaways

  • Your bank cashes checks for free if you have an account, and it takes minutes at a branch or through mobile deposit.
  • Check-cashing stores charge 1% to 5% of the check amount but don't require an account and are open longer hours than banks.
  • Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks for a flat fee of $3 to $5 if you have a loyalty card or make a purchase.
  • You'll need to bring the check and a valid ID to any location, and some places have limits on how large a check they'll cash.

What you need to bring

Bring the check itself and a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some places also accept military ID or a tribal ID. The check must be made out to you or to you and someone else, and it must not be post-dated (dated in the future).

If the check is made out to two people, both of you usually need to be present with ID. If it's made out to you and your business, you may need to bring business documentation. Ask the location ahead of time if you're unsure.

Some check-cashing stores and banks will ask for a second form of ID or proof of address, especially for large checks. A utility bill, lease, or bank statement works for proof of address.

How long it takes

At your bank, cashing a check takes 5 to 15 minutes in person. If you use mobile deposit through your bank's app, the check clears in 1 to 2 business days, and you can withdraw the money once it's cleared. Some banks offer next-business-day clearing for mobile deposits.

At a check-cashing store, the process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. They verify the check, confirm your ID, and hand you cash. At a grocery store or Walmart, it's similar — 10 to 15 minutes.

The speed depends partly on the check amount and the issuer. A check from a major employer or government agency clears faster than one from a small business. Large checks (over $5,000) may take longer because the location verifies funds with the bank before handing over cash.

Fees and what they cost you

Banks charge no fee if you have an account. If you don't have an account, some banks charge $5 to $10 to cash a check, though this is becoming less common.

Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount or a flat fee. A percentage-based fee of 2% on a $500 check costs $10. A flat fee of $5 on the same check is cheaper. On a $100 check, the flat fee becomes expensive relative to the amount. Ask for the fee before you hand over the check.

Grocery stores and Walmart typically charge $3 to $5 flat. Credit unions may charge $2 to $5. These are usually the cheapest options if you don't have a bank account.

Limits on check size

Most banks will cash any check up to the amount in the account it's drawn from, with no upper limit. Check-cashing stores often have limits — commonly $5,000 to $10,000 per check, though some go higher. Grocery stores and Walmart typically cap checks at $1,000 to $2,000.

If your check is larger than the location's limit, you can deposit it instead of cashing it, or you can ask the issuer to write two smaller checks. Some check-cashing stores will cash larger checks if you call ahead and arrange it, or if you're a regular customer.

What happens if the check bounces

If the check is returned unpaid (bounces), the location that cashed it will contact you. You're responsible for returning the cash or paying the fee they charged you. Most places will also charge you a returned-check fee, typically $15 to $25, on top of the original cashing fee.

To protect yourself, only cash checks from people or organizations you trust. If you're unsure about a check, you can deposit it instead — if it bounces, the bank handles the dispute and you don't lose cash immediately.

Mobile deposit as an alternative

If you have a bank account, mobile deposit is often faster and cheaper than going to a branch. You photograph the front and back of the check using your bank's app, and the bank deposits it into your account. You can withdraw the money once it clears, usually within 1 to 2 business days.

Mobile deposit works for most personal checks. It doesn't work for checks made out to a business, checks that are already endorsed to someone else, or checks with damage or stains that make them hard to read. If you need cash immediately, mobile deposit isn't the right choice — you'll have to wait for the check to clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not usually. A check is a legal document made out to a specific person, and most places won't cash it for anyone else. If the person it's made out to wants to give you the money, they should cash it themselves and give you cash, or they can sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" — but many banks and stores no longer accept third-party checks because of fraud risk.

What if the check is damaged or hard to read?

Bring it to your bank first. Banks are more likely to accept damaged checks than check-cashing stores are. If your bank won't take it, contact the person or organization that issued the check and ask for a replacement. Don't try to repair or alter the check yourself.

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

No, but you'll pay a fee — usually $5 to $10. If you cash checks regularly, opening a free checking account at a bank or credit union saves money. Many accounts have no minimum balance and no monthly fee.

Can I cash a check online?

No, you can't cash a check for immediate cash online. You can deposit a check through your bank's app and withdraw the money once it clears, but that's not the same as cashing it. Some online banks offer next-business-day clearing, which is faster than traditional banks.

What if the check is post-dated?

Most places won't cash a post-dated check — one dated in the future. You have to wait until that date arrives. If you need the money now, contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write a new one with today's date.