Your fastest options for cashing a check

You can cash a check at your bank or credit union if you have an account there — that is free and takes minutes. If you do not have an account, your options are the check issuer's bank, a check-cashing store, a grocery store, Walmart, or certain other retailers. Each has different fees, speed, and requirements. The check issuer's bank is often free but may require you to show ID. Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 3 percent, but do not ask questions about your identity beyond a driver's license.

Where you go depends on the check amount, how quickly you need the money, and what ID you have. A small paycheck at Walmart costs less than at a dedicated check-cashing store. A large check may be refused by retailers but accepted at a bank. A post-dated check (one dated in the future) will be turned down almost everywhere except some check-cashing stores.

Key Takeaways

  • The check issuer's bank will cash the check for free if you bring a valid ID, but may have limits on check size or require you to be a customer.
  • Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount and accept most types of ID, but are more expensive than banks or retailers.
  • Walmart and grocery stores cash checks for a flat fee (usually $3 to $6) up to a certain amount, making them cheaper for small checks than dedicated stores.
  • You will need a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card — at any location that cashes checks.

Cashing at the check issuer's bank

If the check is from a business or government agency, you can walk into their bank and cash it at the teller window without an account. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The teller will verify the check and hand you cash. This is free and takes about five minutes.

Some banks refuse to cash checks for non-customers or set a limit on the amount (often $500 to $5,000). Call ahead or ask at the window before you wait in line. Banks also have business hours, so you cannot cash a check at 11 p.m. on a Sunday. If the check is from a small local bank, their branch locations may be limited to one or two cities.

Check-cashing stores and their fees

A dedicated check-cashing store will cash almost any check, including post-dated checks and payroll checks from employers they do not recognize. They charge a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 3 percent — so a $500 check costs $5 to $15 to cash. Some stores charge a flat fee instead, usually $3 to $10 regardless of amount.

These stores are open longer than banks, often until 8 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday mornings. They ask for a photo ID and sometimes a second form of ID, but do not require you to have a bank account or credit history. The downside is cost: cashing ten $500 checks per year at 2 percent adds up to $100 in fees. If you cash checks regularly, opening a bank account or credit union account costs nothing and saves money over time.

Walmart and grocery store check cashing

Walmart cashes checks at the customer service desk for a flat fee of $3 to $6, depending on the check type and amount. Personal checks up to $1,000 cost $3; payroll and government checks up to $5,000 cost $6. This is cheaper than a check-cashing store for most small checks. You need a photo ID and a Walmart receipt from the past 30 days, or a Walmart credit card or debit card.

Many grocery stores offer the same service, usually for $2 to $5 per check. Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons all cash checks at customer service. The fee is lower than Walmart for small checks, and you do not need a receipt if you have a store loyalty card. Hours are the same as the store itself, so you can often cash a check while shopping for groceries.

What ID you need and what to bring

Every place that cashes checks requires a government-issued photo ID. A driver's license is the most common. A state ID card (non-driver), passport, or passport card also works. A tribal ID, military ID, or permanent resident card may work at some locations but not others — call ahead if that is your only ID.

Some check-cashing stores and banks ask for a second form of ID, such as a utility bill, lease, or Social Security card. Bring whatever ID you have. If you do not have a photo ID, you cannot cash a check at any of these locations. A passport card or state ID card can be obtained from your state's DMV or Secretary of State office; the process takes a few weeks and costs $15 to $50.

Checks that are harder to cash

A post-dated check (dated in the future) will be refused by banks and most retailers. Some check-cashing stores will cash them, but charge a higher fee — sometimes 5 to 10 percent instead of 2 percent. If you have a post-dated check and need the money now, a check-cashing store is your only option.

A third-party check — one made out to someone else and signed over to you — is refused almost everywhere. Banks will not touch them. Walmart and grocery stores refuse them. Some check-cashing stores will cash them if both the original payee and you sign the back, but many refuse them entirely because of fraud risk. If someone owes you money and writes a check to a third party, ask them to write a new check in your name instead.

A check with a missing or illegible signature, a torn corner, or writing in the memo line that does not match the amount may be questioned. Bring it to the issuer's bank first — they know their own checks and are most likely to accept it. If the bank refuses, a check-cashing store may still take it, but do not count on it.

Opening a bank account as an alternative

If you cash checks more than once or twice a month, opening a checking account at a bank or credit union costs nothing and saves money. You deposit the check, and the money is available the next business day or sometimes the same day. No fees, no percentage taken out. Many banks offer accounts with no minimum balance and no monthly fee.

Some banks require an initial deposit to open an account, usually $25 to $100. Credit unions often have lower requirements and may let you open an account with $1. You will need a photo ID and sometimes a second form of ID or proof of address. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes in person or online. Once your account is open, you can deposit checks by phone, mail, or mobile app without going to a branch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at any bank, or only the bank that issued it?

You can cash it at the bank that issued it for free if you have a photo ID. Other banks will usually refuse unless you have an account with them. Some large national banks like Bank of America or Chase may cash checks from other banks for customers, but policies vary by location and check amount.

What happens if the check bounces after I cash it?

If the check is returned for insufficient funds, the store or bank that cashed it will deduct the amount from your cash or charge your account. You are responsible for the full amount plus any fee the cashing location charges (usually $10 to $25). This is why cashing at the issuer's bank is safest — they know immediately if the account has funds.

Do I have to endorse the back of the check?

Yes. Sign your name on the back of the check in the space marked "Endorse here." Some locations also ask you to write your ID number or phone number. Do not sign the back until you are at the cashing location, because a signed blank check can be cashed by anyone.

Can I cash a check if it is made out to my business name?

If the check is made out to your business name and you are a sole proprietor, you can usually cash it by signing the back and showing your personal ID. If your business is an LLC or corporation, the bank or store may require business registration documents or a letter from the business authorizing you to cash checks on its behalf.

How long does a check stay valid?

A personal check is generally valid for six months from the date written. After six months, a bank may refuse to cash it. Payroll and government checks may have different rules — some are valid for one year. If your check is old, contact the issuer and ask them to write a new one.