Your main options for cashing a check
You can cash a check at a bank, credit union, grocery store, check-cashing store, or sometimes at your employer's office. The fastest and cheapest route depends on whether you have a bank account, what kind of check it is, and how much you need the money today versus later.
If you have a bank account at the issuing bank — the bank name printed on the check — you can walk in and cash it for free at any branch. If you bank elsewhere or have no account, you'll pay a fee at most places, though some options charge nothing.
Key Takeaways
- Banks and credit unions cash checks for free if you have an account there, and usually charge $5 to $15 if you don't.
- Grocery stores and pharmacies often cash checks for free or a small fee, but may limit the amount or require a store membership.
- Check-cashing stores charge the highest fees — typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount — but are open longer hours and don't require an account.
- Your employer may cash your paycheck on the spot for free, so ask before you go elsewhere.
- Mobile deposit through a bank app lets you deposit a check without visiting a branch, though you'll need an account and the funds take a day or two to clear.
Banks and credit unions
A bank or credit union will cash any check drawn on that institution for free if you're a member. Walk in during business hours with the check and a photo ID. You'll get cash on the spot.
If the check is drawn on a different bank, most will still cash it for you, but they'll charge a fee — usually $5 to $15 depending on the bank and the check amount. Some banks waive the fee if you're a customer; others charge everyone the same. Call ahead or ask at the teller window before you hand over the check.
Credit unions often have lower fees than banks, and some credit unions belong to shared branching networks that let you cash checks at other credit unions nationwide. If you're a member, ask whether your credit union participates.
Grocery stores and pharmacies
Many grocery chains — including Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Safeway — cash checks at the customer service desk. Fees are usually zero to $3, and the process takes a few minutes. You'll need a photo ID and sometimes a store membership card, though many stores waive the membership requirement for check cashing.
Limits vary by store. Walmart, for example, cashes checks up to $5,000, but some grocery stores cap it at $1,000 or $2,000. Call the store's customer service desk before you go to confirm they cash checks and what the limit is.
Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens also cash checks at the register, usually for free or a small fee. The same ID and limit rules apply.
Check-cashing stores
Check-cashing businesses are designed for people without bank accounts and are open longer hours than banks — often until 9 p.m. or later, and on weekends. They cash almost any check on the spot with just a photo ID.
The trade-off is cost. Check-cashing stores typically charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. On a $500 check, that's $5 to $15. On a $1,000 check, it's $10 to $30. Some stores charge a flat fee instead of a percentage, so ask before you hand over the check.
These stores also offer other services — money orders, bill payment, payday loans — but focus on the check cashing unless you need something else. If you're cashing checks regularly, the fees add up fast, and opening a bank account or credit union account usually costs nothing and saves you money over time.
Your employer
If the check is your paycheck, ask your employer's payroll or accounting department whether they'll cash it for you. Many employers will, especially for regular employees, and they won't charge a fee. This is the fastest and cheapest option if it's available to you.
Some employers offer direct deposit instead, which puts your paycheck straight into your bank account without a check at all. If you don't have a bank account yet, this is a good reason to open one.
Mobile deposit through a bank app
If you have a bank account, you can photograph the front and back of the check using your bank's mobile app and deposit it without visiting a branch. The process takes a few minutes, and you don't need to leave home.
The catch is timing: mobile deposits usually take one to two business days to clear, so you won't have the cash immediately. If you need the money today, you'll have to go to a branch or use one of the other options above. Some banks let you withdraw a portion of the deposit before it fully clears, but policies vary.
Comparing fees and speed
| Where to cash | Fee if you have an account | Fee if you don't | Speed | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your bank | Free | $5–$15 | Immediate | Business hours |
| Credit union | Free | $3–$10 | Immediate | Business hours |
| Grocery store | Free–$3 | Free–$3 | Immediate | Store hours |
| Check-cashing store | 1–3% | 1–3% | Immediate | Extended hours |
| Mobile deposit | Free | N/A | 1–2 days | Anytime |
What to bring and what to expect
Bring a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some places will also ask for a second form of ID or your phone number. Have the check ready and endorse it (sign the back) just before you hand it over, not before you leave home.
If the check is made out to someone else, most places won't cash it. Some banks will cash a check made out to two people if both of you are present with ID, but policies vary. Call ahead if you're unsure.
Checks that are post-dated (dated in the future) or stale-dated (more than six months old) may be refused. If the check looks damaged, torn, or altered, it may also be rejected. Ask the teller if you're not sure whether a check will be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check made out to someone else?
Generally no, unless the person it's made out to signs the back and you're both present with ID. Some banks will do this; others won't. Call ahead or ask the teller. If the check is made out to two people, both usually need to be present.
What if the check is post-dated?
Most places won't cash a post-dated check (one dated in the future) until that date arrives. Some will refuse it outright. If you need the money before the date on the check, ask the issuer for a new check with today's date.
How long does a cashed check take to clear?
If you cash it in person at a bank or store, you get the money immediately. If you deposit it through mobile banking or mail, it typically takes one to two business days. Checks drawn on out-of-state banks may take longer.
Is it cheaper to open a bank account than to keep using check-cashing stores?
Yes. Many banks and credit unions offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance. If you cash even a few checks a month at a check-cashing store, the fees will exceed the cost of opening an account, which is usually zero.
What if I don't have a photo ID?
Most places require one. If you don't have a driver's license or passport, apply for a state ID card at your local DMV or equivalent office. Until then, check-cashing stores are your most likely option, though some may still refuse without ID.