The most common places to cash a personal check

You can cash a personal check at your own bank or credit union, at the bank or credit union that issued the check, at a check-cashing store, at some grocery stores and pharmacies, and at Walmart and similar retailers. The fastest and cheapest option is almost always the bank or credit union that issued the check — they verify the funds immediately and charge no fee. If you have an account at a different bank, your own bank may cash it for free or charge a small fee, usually $5 to $15.

Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and retailers all charge a percentage of the check amount or a flat fee. The percentage typically ranges from 1 to 3 percent, meaning a $500 check might cost $5 to $15 to cash. Flat fees are usually $2 to $5 per check. These places verify the check by calling the issuing bank or checking an electronic database, which takes a few minutes to a few hours.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank or credit union that issued the check will cash it for free and verify funds immediately, even if you don't have an account there.
  • Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and retailers charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount or a flat fee of $2 to $5.
  • Your own bank or credit union may cash a check drawn on another bank for free or for a small fee, depending on their policy.
  • Cashing a check at the issuing bank is faster and cheaper than any other option and requires only a valid ID.

Cashing at the bank that issued the check

If the check is drawn on Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, or any other bank, you can walk into any branch of that bank and cash it without having an account. You need a valid government-issued ID — a driver's license, state ID, or passport. The teller will verify that the account has sufficient funds and hand you cash on the spot, usually within five minutes. There is no fee.

This works the same way at credit unions. If the check is drawn on a credit union, you can visit any branch of that credit union and cash it with an ID. Some credit unions are part of shared branching networks, meaning you can cash the check at a different credit union in the network. Call the issuing credit union to ask whether they participate in shared branching and where the nearest participating branch is located.

Cashing at your own bank or credit union

If you have an account at a bank or credit union, you can deposit a check drawn on another bank into your account. If you need cash immediately instead of waiting for the deposit to clear, ask the teller whether they will cash it for you. Many banks and credit unions will cash checks drawn on other banks for account holders at no charge. Some charge $5 to $15, and some will not do it at all.

The teller will verify the funds by calling the issuing bank or checking an electronic verification system. This usually takes a few minutes. If the issuing bank is closed or the account cannot be verified, the teller may ask you to come back later or may refuse to cash it.

Check-cashing stores and payday loan locations

Check-cashing stores are designed to cash checks for people without bank accounts. They are open longer hours than banks — often until 9 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays — and they verify checks electronically rather than by phone, so the process is faster. You bring your ID and the check, the clerk scans it into their system, and you receive cash within a few minutes.

The fee is typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, you would pay $5 to $15. Some stores charge a flat fee instead — $2 to $5 per check — which is cheaper if the check is large. Payday loan stores also cash checks and charge similar fees. Ask the clerk what the fee is before you hand over the check.

Grocery stores, pharmacies, and retailers

Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, CVS, and Walgreens all cash personal checks at their customer service desk. The process is the same as at a check-cashing store: you show your ID, the clerk verifies the check electronically, and you receive cash. The fee is usually $3 to $5 per check, which is often cheaper than a check-cashing store's percentage-based fee.

Not every location cashes checks, so call ahead or ask at the customer service desk before you get in line. Some stores have a maximum check amount they will cash, often $1,000 or $2,000. Grocery stores and retailers are convenient if you are already shopping there, but the fee is higher than cashing at the issuing bank.

Online banks and mobile check deposit

If you have an account at an online bank like Ally, Charles Schwab, or Discover, you can deposit a check using mobile check deposit — you photograph the front and back of the check with your phone and submit it through the bank's app. The funds are usually available within one to three business days. This does not give you cash immediately, but it avoids a fee and is faster than mailing a check.

If you need cash the same day, mobile deposit does not help. You would need to use one of the other methods listed above. Some online banks offer partnerships with ATM networks or retailers, but these typically allow you to withdraw cash from your account, not to cash a check directly.

What to do if the check cannot be verified

If the issuing bank is closed or the account cannot be verified electronically, the teller or clerk may refuse to cash the check or may ask you to return later. This happens most often on weekends or holidays, when smaller banks are closed. If you need the cash urgently, try cashing the check at the issuing bank's main branch during business hours, or wait until the next business day.

If the check is drawn on a very small or local bank that is not in the electronic verification system, check-cashing stores and retailers may refuse it. In that case, your best option is to visit the issuing bank in person. Bring your ID and the check, and ask the teller to verify the funds and cash it for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash someone else's check?

No. A personal check is payable to the person named on it. If the check is made out to someone else, that person must endorse it by signing the back. Some banks and check-cashing stores will cash a third-party check if both the original payee and you sign it, but many will not. Ask before you try.

What if I don't have a government ID?

You cannot cash a check without a valid ID. Banks, check-cashing stores, and retailers all require one 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. Some check-cashing stores may accept a tribal ID or military ID if you do not have a state ID.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At the issuing bank, it takes five to ten minutes. At a check-cashing store, grocery store, or retailer, it takes five to fifteen minutes because they verify the check electronically. At your own bank, it depends on whether they cash checks for non-customers and whether they can verify the issuing bank immediately.

Is there a maximum amount I can cash?

Banks have no stated limit for cashing checks drawn on their own accounts. Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and retailers often have a maximum of $1,000 to $2,500 per check. If your check is larger, ask the location what their limit is, or cash it at the issuing bank instead.

Can I cash a check online?

You cannot receive cash online, but you can deposit a check into a bank account using mobile check deposit, which is available through most banks' apps. The funds are usually available within one to three business days. If you need cash the same day, you must use one of the in-person methods listed above.