Your main options for cashing checks

You can cash a check at a bank, credit union, check-cashing store, grocery store, or Walmart. Banks and credit unions usually require you to have an account with them, though some will cash a check for a non-customer for a fee. Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart will cash checks for anyone, but they charge a fee — usually between $2 and $10 depending on the check amount. The fee is highest at dedicated check-cashing stores and lowest at grocery stores and Walmart.

The check must be signed by the person who wrote it, made out to you by name, and not post-dated (a future date written on it). If any of those conditions aren't met, the place cashing it will refuse. You'll need to bring a photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or passport all work.

Speed varies. Banks and credit unions usually cash checks immediately if you have an account. Grocery stores and Walmart typically cash checks on the spot as well. Check-cashing stores may hold the funds for a day or two while they verify the check, though many release the money right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks and credit unions cash checks for account holders immediately and usually for free, but charge non-customers a fee of $5 to $15.
  • Walmart and grocery stores cash checks for anyone with a photo ID and charge $2 to $5, making them cheaper than dedicated check-cashing stores.
  • Check-cashing stores charge $5 to $10 per check and may hold funds for a day or two while verifying the check.
  • The check must be signed, made out to you by name, and have today's date or an earlier date — post-dated checks will be refused.
  • If you cash checks regularly, opening a free checking account at a bank or credit union eliminates fees and gives you a record of deposits.

Banks and credit unions

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union, you can deposit or cash checks for free. The teller will hand you cash on the spot, or you can deposit it and withdraw cash later. This is the cheapest option if you already have an account.

If you don't have an account, most banks will still cash a check for you, but they'll charge a fee. The fee ranges from $5 to $15 depending on the bank and the check amount. Some banks waive the fee if the check is drawn on their own bank (meaning the person who wrote it banks there too). Call ahead to ask about the fee before you go in.

Credit unions are often cheaper than banks for non-customers. Many credit unions charge $2 to $5 to cash a check if you don't have an account, or they may do it for free. If you're not a member, ask whether the credit union will cash it before you make the trip.

Walmart and grocery stores

Walmart has a check-cashing service at the money center in most stores. The fee is usually $3 for checks up to $1,000 and $6 for checks over $1,000. You need a photo ID and the check must be made out to you. Walmart cashes the check on the spot and hands you cash immediately.

Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Publix also cash checks at the customer service desk. The fee is typically $2 to $3 for most checks. Like Walmart, you get cash right away. Not every grocery store location offers this service, so call ahead if you're not sure.

Both Walmart and grocery stores are convenient if you're already shopping there, and the fees are lower than dedicated check-cashing stores. The downside is that not all locations offer the service, and hours may be limited to when the store is open.

Check-cashing stores

Dedicated check-cashing stores will cash any check for anyone with a photo ID. They're open longer hours than banks and grocery stores, often including evenings and weekends. The trade-off is cost: fees typically run $5 to $10 per check, sometimes higher for larger amounts.

Check-cashing stores may hold the funds for one to two business days while they verify the check clears. Some will release the money immediately if you're a regular customer or if the check is from a well-known employer. Ask before you hand over the check.

Check-cashing stores are useful if you need cash outside normal banking hours or if you don't have a photo ID that banks will accept. However, if you cash checks regularly, the fees add up quickly — you'd save money by opening a free checking account instead.

Online banks and mobile check deposit

If you have an account at an online bank like Chime, Ally, or Marcus, you can deposit checks using your phone's camera without visiting a branch. You photograph the front and back of the check, submit it through the app, and the funds appear in your account within one to two business days. You can then withdraw cash at an ATM or transfer it to another account.

This option only works if you already have an account. Online banks don't have physical locations where you can walk in and cash a check for cash on the spot. But if you have an account and need to deposit a check, mobile deposit is free and convenient.

What to do if the check won't cash

A check will be refused if it's post-dated (has a future date), not signed, made out to someone else, or if the signature doesn't match the name on your ID. If any of these apply, ask the person who wrote the check to write you a new one with the correct information.

If the check is old — typically more than six months — banks may refuse to cash it. The person who wrote it will need to write a new check or contact their bank to reissue it. If the check is damaged, torn, or illegible, the place cashing it may refuse it as well.

If you suspect the check is fraudulent or stolen, don't try to cash it. Report it to the police and to the bank that issued it if you know which bank it's from.

Opening a checking account to avoid fees

If you cash checks regularly, the fees add up. A free checking account at a bank or credit union eliminates those fees and gives you a record of every deposit. Many banks offer checking accounts with no minimum balance and no monthly fee.

To open an account, you'll need a photo ID, proof of address (a utility bill or lease), and usually a small opening deposit — often $25 or less. Some online banks let you open an account entirely on your phone with just an ID and a photo of a check to deposit.

Once you have an account, you can deposit checks in person at a branch, through an ATM, or using mobile deposit on your phone. You get cash immediately or within one to two business days, depending on the method, and you pay nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check that's made out to someone else?

No. The check must be made out to you by name. If someone else's name is on the check, the person who wrote it needs to write a new check in your name, or the original recipient can sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" — though many banks and stores won't accept this.

What if I don't have a photo ID?

Most places that cash checks require a photo ID. If you don't have one, you can get a state ID card from your local DMV or Department of Motor Vehicles. The process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your state. Until then, you may be able to open a bank account using alternative ID, like a passport or tribal ID.

How long does it take to get the money?

Banks, credit unions, Walmart, and grocery stores usually give you cash on the spot. Check-cashing stores may hold the funds for one to two business days. If you deposit a check through mobile deposit or an ATM, the funds typically appear in your account within one to two business days, though you can usually withdraw cash immediately.

Is there a limit to how much I can cash?

Most places will cash checks of any amount, but very large checks (over $5,000) may require verification or a longer hold. Walmart's limit is typically $5,000 per check. If your check is larger, call ahead to confirm the place you're going to will cash it.

What's the cheapest way to cash a check?

If you have a bank or credit union account, cashing a check is free. If you don't have an account, Walmart or a grocery store is cheapest at $2 to $5 per check. Check-cashing stores charge $5 to $10. If you cash checks regularly, opening a free checking account pays for itself after just a few checks.