Your main options for cashing a personal check

You can cash a personal check at a bank, credit union, check-cashing store, grocery store, or Walmart. Banks and credit unions are free if you have an account there; if you don't, they may charge a fee or refuse to cash it. Check-cashing stores and grocery stores will cash it for a fee, usually between $2 and $10 depending on the check amount. Walmart cashes checks for a flat fee that varies by state, typically $3 to $6. The trade-off is speed versus cost: a bank is fastest and cheapest if you're a customer, but a check-cashing store or grocery store works if you need cash immediately and don't have an account.

The check must be signed by the person who wrote it, made out to you by name, and dated no more than 180 days in the past. You'll need to show a government-issued ID. Some places also require a second form of ID or a thumbprint. If the check is written to "you and someone else," both people usually need to be present to cash it.

Key Takeaways

  • Banks and credit unions cash checks free for account holders but may charge $5 to $15 for non-customers or refuse to cash them at all.
  • Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart all cash personal checks for a fee, with no account required.
  • Walmart and grocery stores are often faster and cheaper than dedicated check-cashing stores, especially for smaller amounts.
  • You need a valid government ID and the check must be signed, dated within 180 days, and made out to you by name.
  • If you cash checks regularly, opening a basic checking account at a bank or credit union eliminates fees and gives you other banking options.

Banks and credit unions

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union, they will cash your personal checks for free. Walk in with your ID and the check, and they'll process it on the spot—usually within minutes. If you don't have an account there, policies vary widely. Some banks will cash checks for non-customers for a fee of $5 to $15. Others refuse entirely, especially for large amounts. Call ahead or ask at the teller window before you go.

Credit unions are often more flexible than banks about cashing checks for non-members, particularly if you live in their service area. If you're considering opening an account anyway, many banks and credit unions offer free checking with no minimum balance, which makes future check-cashing free and gives you access to ATMs and online banking.

Check-cashing stores

Check-cashing stores specialize in this service and don't require an account. They're open longer hours than banks—often until 8 or 9 p.m. and on weekends—and the process is fast. The fee is usually a percentage of the check amount (typically 1 to 3 percent) or a flat fee, whichever is higher. On a $500 check, you might pay $5 to $15. On a $100 check, the fee might be $3 to $5.

The downside is cost and risk. Check-cashing stores are concentrated in lower-income neighborhoods, and fees add up if you cash checks regularly. They also hold your ID information and sometimes your thumbprint. If you have other options, compare the fee first—a grocery store or Walmart may be cheaper for your specific check amount.

Grocery stores and supermarkets

Most large grocery chains—including Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and Whole Foods—cash personal checks at the customer service desk. The fee is usually $2 to $3 for checks under $1,000, making them cheaper than dedicated check-cashing stores. You need a valid ID, and some stores require a store loyalty card or a second form of ID. Hours are the same as the store's regular hours, so you can often cash a check while you're shopping.

The catch is that not every location participates, and policies vary by region. Call your local store's customer service desk to confirm they cash personal checks before you go. Some stores have limits on the check amount or the number of checks you can cash per day.

Walmart check-cashing service

Walmart cashes personal checks at the money center or customer service desk. The fee is a flat rate that varies by state, typically $3 to $6 per check. Walmart is often cheaper than check-cashing stores and has longer hours than banks. You need a valid government ID, and some locations ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint. The process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Walmart has limits: they typically won't cash checks over $5,000, and some locations have lower caps. Call ahead to confirm the limit at your nearest store and to verify they're currently offering the service, since policies can change by location.

Online banks and mobile check deposit

If you have an account at an online bank like Chime, Ally, or Charles Schwab, you can deposit a personal check using your phone's camera—no visit to a branch needed. The check clears in 1 to 3 business days, and you can withdraw the cash at an ATM or transfer it to another account. This is free and convenient if you already have an account.

The trade-off is timing: you can't get cash immediately. If you need the money today, this option doesn't work. But if you can wait a few days, mobile deposit is the cheapest route and requires no trip anywhere.

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 older than 180 days, it's damaged or illegible, the signature doesn't match your ID, or the amount is above their limit. Ask the teller or cashier which reason applies. If it's post-dated or too old, you'll need to contact the person who wrote it and ask for a new check. If the signature doesn't match your ID, you may need to bring additional documentation or contact the check writer.

If you're stuck, your next option is to deposit the check into a bank or credit union account if you can open one quickly. Many banks offer same-day or next-day account opening online. Once the check is deposited, you can withdraw the cash at an ATM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash someone else's personal check?

No. A personal check must be cashed by the person whose name is on it. If someone wants to give you money by check, they need to write it in your name. If they write it to themselves and sign the back to you (called a third-party check), most banks and check-cashing stores will refuse it due to fraud risk.

What if I don't have a government ID?

You won't be able to cash a check without one. A valid government ID is required at every place that cashes checks. If you don't have a driver's license or passport, you can get a state ID card from your local DMV. Some states offer free or low-cost ID for people without a driver's license.

How long does a personal check stay valid?

A personal check is valid for 180 days (about six months) from the date written on it. After that, it's considered stale-dated and most places won't cash it. If your check is older than 180 days, contact the person who wrote it and ask them to issue a new one.

Is it cheaper to cash a check or deposit it?

If you have a bank account, depositing is free and cashing costs nothing. If you don't have an account, cashing at a grocery store or Walmart is usually cheaper than a check-cashing store. If you can wait a few days, opening a free online bank account and using mobile deposit is the cheapest option overall.

Can I cash a check made out to a business?

Not as an individual. A business check must be deposited into a business bank account. If you're self-employed or run a small business, you'll need a business checking account to deposit business checks, even if you're the owner.