Where you can cash a check

You can cash a check at your own bank, at the bank that issued the check, at a check-cashing store, at some retail locations like grocery stores or pharmacies, or through a mobile app if your bank offers mobile check deposit. The fastest and cheapest option is almost always your own bank — no fee, and you get the money the same day or next business day. If you don't have a bank account, a check-cashing store or retailer will cash it for a fee, usually between 1 and 5 percent of the check amount.

The issuing bank (the one printed on the check) will also cash it if you go in person with ID, even if you don't have an account there. Some banks charge a small fee for this; others don't. Retail locations like Walmart, Target, and grocery stores typically charge a flat fee — often $3 to $5 — rather than a percentage, which can be cheaper for large checks but more expensive for small ones.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank is the cheapest option and usually deposits the money within one business day at no cost.
  • Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount, typically 1 to 5 percent, and are useful if you don't have a bank account.
  • Retail locations like Walmart and grocery stores charge a flat fee, usually $3 to $5, which may be cheaper for large checks.
  • You need a valid government-issued ID to cash a check anywhere, and the name on the check must match the name on your ID.
  • Mobile check deposit through your bank's app lets you cash a check without visiting a branch, though the money may take one to two business days to appear.

Cashing a check at your bank

Go to a branch of your bank during business hours with your ID and the check. Hand both to a teller and tell them you want to cash it. They will verify that the check is valid, that your ID matches the name on the check, and that the account it's drawn from has funds. This usually takes a few minutes.

The money will be available immediately if you're cashing it at a branch of your bank — you walk out with cash, or the teller deposits it into your account and it shows up right away. If you're depositing it instead of cashing it, it typically clears within one business day, though some banks hold checks for two to five business days depending on the amount and the issuing bank.

Cashing a check at the issuing bank

If the check is drawn on a different bank than yours, you can still cash it at that bank's branch. Bring your ID and the check. The teller will verify your ID matches the name on the check and confirm the account has funds. You will get cash immediately or can ask them to deposit it into your account at another bank.

Some banks charge a fee for cashing a check from someone who is not a customer — typically $5 to $10. Call ahead or check the bank's website to confirm whether they charge and how much. Smaller regional banks are more likely to charge than large national banks.

Using a check-cashing store

Check-cashing stores are designed for people without bank accounts or those who need cash immediately. You bring your ID and the check. The clerk will verify your ID, check the routing number and account number on the check to confirm the account exists and has funds, and then give you cash minus their fee.

The fee is usually 1 to 5 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, that's $5 to $25. Some stores charge a flat fee instead. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Check-cashing stores are open longer hours than banks, including evenings and weekends, which is why people use them when they need cash outside normal banking hours.

Cashing a check at a retail store

Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Target will cash checks as a service to customers. You bring your ID and the check to the customer service desk. They verify your ID and run the check through a verification system, which takes a few minutes. If it clears, you get cash.

The fee is usually a flat amount — $3 to $5 — rather than a percentage. This makes it cheaper than a check-cashing store for large checks but more expensive for small ones. Not all locations cash checks, and some have limits on the amount they will cash. Call ahead to confirm the store near you offers this service and what their fee is.

Mobile check deposit through your bank's app

Many banks let you photograph the front and back of a check using their mobile app and deposit it without visiting a branch. You take clear photos of both sides, submit them through the app, and the bank processes the deposit. The money typically appears in your account within one to two business days.

This is free and convenient, but you don't get cash immediately — the money goes into your account, not your wallet. You can then withdraw it from an ATM or transfer it elsewhere. Not all banks offer mobile deposit, and some have limits on how much you can deposit this way per day or per month. Check your bank's app or website to see if this feature is available to you.

What you need to cash a check

You need a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. The name on the ID must match the name on the check exactly. If your name has changed since the check was written, bring documentation of the name change (marriage certificate, court order) along with your current ID.

The check itself must be signed by the person or business who issued it. If it's not signed, no one will cash it. The check must also have the routing number and account number printed on it — these are the numbers at the bottom left of the check. If these are missing or illegible, the check cannot be cashed.

If someone else's name is on the check but they want you to cash it, they must endorse it by signing the back and writing "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. This is called a third-party check, and many banks and check-cashing stores will not accept them because of fraud risk. Ask first before trying to cash one.

How long it takes and what can go wrong

Cashing a check in person at a bank or store usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. The teller or clerk verifies your ID, checks that the account has funds, and hands you cash or deposits it into your account. If the account doesn't have enough money to cover the check, they will refuse to cash it. If the check is post-dated (dated in the future), most places will refuse it until that date arrives.

If you deposit a check and it bounces — meaning the account didn't have enough money when the bank tried to clear it — the money will be removed from your account a few days later. Your bank may charge you a fee for a bounced check, typically $25 to $35. The person who wrote the check is responsible for the bounced check, but you bear the cost if you deposited it.

Checks can also be refused if they are stale-dated — more than six months old. If the check is damaged, torn, or the numbers are illegible, it may be refused. If you're unsure whether a check will be accepted, call your bank or the check-cashing location before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check without a bank account?

Yes. Check-cashing stores, retail locations like Walmart, and the issuing bank will all cash checks for people without accounts. You will pay a fee — usually 1 to 5 percent at a check-cashing store or $3 to $5 at a retailer — but you will get cash the same day.

What if the check is made out to someone else?

If the check is made out to another person and they want you to have the money, they must sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. However, many banks and check-cashing stores refuse third-party checks because of fraud risk. Call ahead to confirm the location will accept it.

How long does a deposited check take to clear?

Most checks clear within one business day if you deposit them at your own bank. Some banks hold checks for two to five business days, especially for large amounts or checks from out-of-state banks. Mobile deposits typically take one to two business days. The bank will tell you the expected date when you deposit it.

What if I lost the check or it was damaged?

Contact the person or business who issued the check and ask them to issue a replacement. They can put a stop payment on the original check so it cannot be cashed if found. This usually costs $25 to $35 and takes a few business days to process. The issuer can then write you a new check.

Can I cash a check that's post-dated?

Legally, you should not cash a check before the date written on it. Most banks and check-cashing stores will refuse to cash it until that date arrives. If you try to cash it early and it clears, the issuer may dispute it and the check could bounce, leaving you responsible for fees.