The fastest places to cash a check
Your bank or credit union will cash your check for free if you have an account there. If you do not have an account, or your bank is closed, you have several options: grocery stores, Walmart and other retailers, check-cashing businesses, and your employer's payroll office. Each has different fees, speed, and requirements.
The place you choose depends on what you need: lowest cost, fastest service, or convenience. A grocery store or Walmart may take your check same-day with minimal fees. A check-cashing business will cash almost any check but charges a percentage of the amount. Your employer can sometimes cash your paycheck on the spot with no fee at all.
Key Takeaways
- Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks for $3 to $6 per check, often within minutes, and do not require an account.
- Check-cashing businesses charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount and will cash checks most banks reject, but are more expensive than retailers.
- Your employer's payroll office or HR department can sometimes cash your paycheck immediately with no fee.
- Banks and credit unions cash checks free for account holders but may charge $5 to $15 for non-customers.
- The post office does not cash checks, and online banks cannot cash checks in person.
Grocery stores and big-box retailers
Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Target, and most other large grocery chains cash checks at the customer service desk. The fee is usually $3 to $6 per check, depending on the store and the check amount. You do not need an account or membership, though some stores require a Walmart or store membership card to cash checks.
Bring your check and a photo ID. The store will verify the check details, scan your ID, and hand you cash. The whole process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Most stores cash checks during their regular hours, though some limit check cashing to certain times of day. Call ahead if you are cashing a large check or an unusual type of check — some stores have limits on the amount or will not cash business checks.
Walmart has the widest availability: most locations cash checks seven days a week, including holidays. Grocery stores may have shorter hours or be closed on Sundays. If you are in a rural area, a local grocery store may be your only option besides a check-cashing business.
Check-cashing businesses
Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 3 percent. On a $500 check, that is $5 to $15. On a $1,000 check, it is $10 to $30. The fee varies by store, by the type of check, and by the amount. Some stores charge a flat fee instead of a percentage.
Check-cashing businesses will cash checks that banks reject: post-dated checks, checks with minor errors, checks from accounts with insufficient funds, and checks from people without ID. They are more flexible than retailers or banks, but you pay for that flexibility. Bring your check and photo ID. Most locations cash checks within 10 minutes.
Check-cashing stores are common in urban and suburban areas but rare in rural regions. Search online for "check cashing near me" or look for signs on storefronts. Be cautious of stores that ask for personal information beyond your name and ID number, or that pressure you to open a prepaid card or take a loan. Reputable check-cashing businesses ask only for your ID and the check.
Your employer or payroll office
Many employers will cash your paycheck immediately through the payroll or HR office, with no fee. This is fastest if you work for a large company with an on-site payroll department. Ask your HR representative or payroll manager whether they offer this service and what ID you need to bring.
Some employers partner with a payroll card or prepaid card company and will not cash checks in person. Others limit check cashing to a certain day of the week or time of day. If your employer does not cash checks, ask whether they offer direct deposit to a bank account or a prepaid card instead — both are faster and cheaper than cashing a paper check.
Banks and credit unions
Your own bank or credit union will cash your check free if you have an account. If you do not have an account, most banks will cash checks for a fee of $5 to $15, depending on the bank and the check amount. Some banks will not cash checks for non-customers at all.
Call your bank before you go in. Ask whether they cash checks for non-customers, what the fee is, and what ID you need. Bring your check and a photo ID. Processing usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Banks are closed on weekends and holidays, so plan ahead if you need cash outside normal business hours.
Credit unions are often more flexible than banks. If you do not have an account, ask whether a local credit union will cash your check. Some credit unions will cash checks for anyone in their community, even without an account.
Places that do not cash checks
The post office does not cash checks. Online banks like Chime, Ally, and Charles Schwab do not have physical locations, so you cannot walk in and cash a check. If you bank online, you can deposit checks by mail or mobile app, but you cannot cash them in person.
Pawn shops sometimes cash checks, but fees are high and terms vary widely. Gas stations, convenience stores, and pharmacies do not typically cash checks. If you are in a small town and cannot find a retailer or check-cashing business, your best option is your bank or credit union, even if you have to pay a fee.
Comparing cost and speed
| Where to Cash | Fee | Speed | Requires Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your bank or credit union | Free | 10–20 minutes | Yes |
| Walmart or grocery store | $3–$6 | 5–15 minutes | No |
| Check-cashing business | 1–3% of amount | 5–10 minutes | No |
| Employer payroll office | Free | 5–10 minutes | N/A |
| Bank (non-customer) | $5–$15 | 10–20 minutes | No |
If you cash checks regularly, opening a bank or credit union account is cheaper than paying fees each time. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance. If you do not want a full bank account, some credit unions and online banks offer prepaid cards that let you deposit checks by phone or app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check without a photo ID?
No. Every place that cashes checks requires a photo ID to verify your identity. Bring a driver's license, state ID, or passport. If you do not have a photo ID, you will need to open a bank account or ask your employer to deposit your paycheck directly.
What if my check is post-dated or has a mistake on it?
Retailers and banks will not cash a post-dated check or one with errors. A check-cashing business may cash it, but will charge a higher fee. If the check has your name spelled wrong or the amount is unclear, contact the person who wrote it and ask for a corrected check.
How much can I cash at one time?
Walmart and most grocery stores have limits, usually $1,000 to $5,000 per check. Check-cashing businesses may have higher limits. Call ahead if you are cashing a large check. Banks have no set limit but may require advance notice for very large amounts.
Can I cash a check from someone else?
No. The check must be written to you or have your name on it. If someone else wrote you a check but put the wrong name, ask them to write a new one. Do not try to cash a check written to someone else — it is illegal.
What if the check bounces after I cash it?
If the check bounces, the place that cashed it may deduct the amount from your cash or ask you to repay it. This is rare at retailers and banks, but common at check-cashing businesses. Ask the cashing location what their policy is before you hand over the check.