Your main options for cashing a check

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 if you have an ID. Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart will cash checks for anyone with a valid ID, but they charge a fee — typically between $2 and $10 depending on the check amount. The fastest route if you don't have a bank account is a grocery store or Walmart, since they're often open late and on weekends.

The check must be signed by the person who wrote it, made out to you by name, and not post-dated (dated in the future). If any of those conditions aren't met, the place cashing it will refuse. Some places also won't cash checks over a certain amount — Walmart caps most checks at $5,000, for example — so call ahead if your check is large.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks and credit unions are free but usually require an account; some will cash checks for non-customers for a small fee.
  • Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart cash checks for anyone with ID but charge $2 to $10 per check.
  • Grocery stores and Walmart are often the cheapest and most convenient option if you don't have a bank account.
  • The check must be signed, made out to you, and not post-dated, or it won't be cashed.
  • Some retailers won't cash checks over a certain amount, so confirm the limit before you go in.

Banks and credit unions

If you have an account at a bank or credit union, cashing a check is free and takes a few minutes. You hand over the check and your ID, and the teller deposits it or gives you cash. If you don't have an account, some banks and credit unions will still cash checks, but they may charge $5 to $10 per check or require you to open an account. Call your local branch first to ask their policy — it varies by bank and sometimes by branch.

Banks are usually open Monday through Friday during business hours, with some Saturday hours. Credit unions often have shorter hours, so check before you go. If you need cash outside those hours, this option won't work for you.

Check-cashing stores

Check-cashing stores exist specifically to cash checks for people without bank accounts. They're open longer hours than banks — often until 7 or 8 p.m. on weekdays and some weekend hours — and they don't require an account. You bring your check and a valid ID, and they give you cash minus their fee. The fee is usually $2 to $5 for a paycheck and higher for personal checks or larger amounts.

The downside is the fee adds up if you cash checks regularly. Over a year, paying $3 per check on a weekly paycheck costs you $156. If you get paid every two weeks, that's $78 a year. Check-cashing stores are most useful as a one-time option or when you need cash outside of bank hours.

Grocery stores and supermarkets

Most grocery chains — including Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and regional chains — will cash checks at the customer service desk. The fee is usually $2 to $3 for payroll checks, sometimes free if you're a loyalty member. You need a valid ID and the check must be made out to you. Many grocery stores are open until 10 or 11 p.m. and on Sundays, making them convenient if you need cash outside bank hours.

Not every location cashes checks, so call ahead or ask at the customer service desk when you arrive. Some stores have a limit on the check amount — often $1,000 or $2,000 — so confirm that too. If you shop at the store regularly, this is usually your cheapest option.

Walmart

Walmart cashes checks at the money center or customer service desk. The fee is $3 for checks up to $1,000 and $6 for checks between $1,000 and $5,000. Walmart won't cash checks over $5,000. You need a valid ID and the check must be made out to you. Walmart is open late most days and on Sundays, so it's a good option when other places are closed.

Walmart also offers check cashing through its MoneyCenter service, which is the same process — bring your check and ID to the desk. If you're already shopping there, it's convenient, though the fee is higher than most grocery stores.

Mobile check deposit

If you have a smartphone, you may be able to deposit a check without going anywhere. Many banks and credit unions let you photograph the front and back of a check through their mobile app, and the money appears in your account within one to three business days. You don't need to visit a branch or pay a fee.

The catch is you need a bank or credit union account to use this service. If you don't have one, this won't work. Even if you do, some banks limit how much you can deposit per check or per month through mobile deposit, so check your bank's rules. Once the check is deposited, you can withdraw cash at an ATM or get it from a teller.

What to do if the check won't cash

If a place refuses to cash your check, the most common reasons are: the check is post-dated (dated in the future), it's not signed, it's made out to someone else, it's damaged or illegible, or the amount exceeds their limit. Ask the cashier which one applies. If the check is post-dated, you'll have to come back on or after that date. If it's not signed or made out to you, contact the person who wrote it and ask them to write a new one.

If the check is damaged, torn, or faded, some places will still cash it if they can read the key information — the amount, the date, and the signature. If it's too damaged, the person who wrote it will need to issue a replacement. If the amount is over the limit, try a different location or a bank, which may have higher limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash someone else's check if they sign it over to me?

Most places won't cash a check that's been signed over to a third party. The check must be made out to you by name. If someone wants to give you money via check, ask them to write a new check in your name instead.

What ID do I need to cash a check?

A valid government-issued photo ID is required — a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Some places accept other forms of ID, but a photo ID is the standard. Expired IDs are usually rejected.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At a bank or credit union, it takes 5 to 10 minutes. At a check-cashing store, grocery store, or Walmart, it usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how busy they are. You get cash on the spot, not a deposit that clears later.

Can I cash a check if it's made out to my business?

Most places won't cash a business check made out to a company name unless you have a business account at that bank or credit union. Check-cashing stores may cash it if you can prove you're authorized to sign on the account, but policies vary. Call ahead to ask.

What if the check amount doesn't match what's written in words?

If the numbers and written words don't match, most places will refuse to cash it. The person who wrote the check needs to issue a new one with matching amounts. This is a fraud prevention measure.