Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the check (the one printed on the front) will usually cash it for non-customers, though many charge a fee of $5 to $10.
- Banks almost never cash checks drawn on other banks for non-customers, even if you walk in with ID.
- Check-cashing stores will cash checks from any bank but typically charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount.
- If you have a bank account anywhere, depositing the check into your own account is usually free and faster than cashing it.
- Walmart, grocery stores, and some pharmacies offer check-cashing services at lower fees than dedicated check-cashing stores.
Cashing a Check at the Bank That Issued It
The bank whose name appears on the check — the one that holds the account the check was written from — is your most straightforward option. Most major banks will cash checks drawn on their own accounts for non-customers. You'll need a government-issued photo ID, and the teller will verify the check is legitimate by looking up the account.
The catch is the fee. Many banks charge $5 to $15 to cash a check for someone without an account. Some banks set a maximum check amount they'll cash for non-customers (often $5,000 or less). A few banks, particularly smaller regional ones, may refuse to cash checks for non-customers altogether, so calling ahead is worth the time if you're uncertain.
If the check is drawn on a bank that has closed or merged, you may need to contact the acquiring bank or the Federal Reserve to locate where the account now lives. This is rare but happens when banks consolidate.
Why Banks Won't Cash Checks From Other Banks
A check drawn on Bank A cannot be cashed at Bank B for a non-customer because Bank B has no way to verify the funds exist in Bank A's system without going through the clearing process. That process takes one to three business days. A teller at Bank B cannot simply look up an account at Bank A — the banks don't share real-time access to each other's customer data.
Banks protect themselves this way because cashing a bad check (one written on insufficient funds) means the bank absorbs the loss. For a non-customer, there's no relationship to recover the money from later. A customer's account can be debited if a check bounces; a stranger walking in cannot.
Some credit unions have reciprocal agreements with other credit unions in their network and will cash checks drawn on member institutions within that network. If you belong to a credit union, ask whether your institution participates in such a program.
Check-Cashing Stores and Their Costs
A dedicated check-cashing store will cash checks from any bank, regardless of whether you have an account anywhere. They verify funds by calling the bank or checking electronically, and they assume the risk if the check bounces. For that service, they charge a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 3 percent, though some charge a flat fee instead.
On a $500 check, a 2 percent fee means you pay $10. On a $1,000 check, you pay $20. The fee varies by store, by location, and sometimes by the check amount itself. Larger checks may have lower percentage rates. Check-cashing stores also usually require a photo ID and may ask for a second form of identification.
Check-cashing stores are most useful when you need cash the same day and don't have a bank account, or when the check is drawn on a bank you can't easily reach. They're less useful if you can deposit the check into your own account, because the fee makes no sense in that case.
Retail Locations That Cash Checks
Walmart, most grocery store chains (Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons), and some pharmacy chains (CVS, Walgreens) offer check-cashing services. Their fees are often lower than dedicated check-cashing stores — typically $3 to $6 per check, sometimes a flat rate rather than a percentage. Some locations cap the check amount at $1,000 or $2,000.
The advantage is convenience: you may already be shopping there, and the fee is transparent and posted. The disadvantage is that not every location offers the service, and hours may be limited to store hours. Call ahead or check the store's website to confirm the location near you cashes checks.
Walmart's check-cashing service, for example, charges a flat fee (usually $3 to $6 depending on the check amount) and requires a photo ID. Grocery stores typically charge similarly. These services are faster than a dedicated check-cashing store if you're already there, but the fee structure is the same: you pay for the convenience of not having a bank account.
Using Your Own Bank Account
If you have a bank account at any institution, depositing the check into your account is almost always free and faster than cashing it. You can deposit checks through a mobile app (if your bank offers mobile deposit), at an ATM, or at a teller window. The funds may be available immediately for checks drawn on the same bank, or within one to three business days for checks from other banks.
The only reason not to use your own account is if you need cash immediately and your bank won't make the funds available right away. In that case, you're choosing between waiting for the deposit to clear or paying a fee to a check-cashing service. Most people choose to wait.
If you don't have a bank account, opening one is often cheaper than repeatedly paying check-cashing fees. Many banks offer no-fee checking accounts, and some credit unions have even lower minimums. Over time, the savings add up.
What to Do if the Check Is Damaged or Unclear
A check that's torn, stained, or has illegible writing may be refused by a bank or check-cashing store. If the check amount, date, or signature is unclear, the teller cannot process it. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask for a replacement. Do not attempt to write over or correct the check yourself — that makes it invalid.
If the check is postdated (dated in the future), banks are technically not required to cash it before that date, though many do. Check-cashing stores may refuse postdated checks altogether. If you need the money now, contact the check writer and ask them to issue a check dated today instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check at a bank if I don't have an ID?
No. All banks and check-cashing services require a government-issued photo ID to cash a check. This is a federal requirement to prevent fraud and money laundering. If you don't have an ID, you cannot cash a check anywhere.
What happens if I try to cash a check with insufficient funds?
The check will be refused. The teller or check-cashing store will verify the account has enough money before handing over cash. If you cash a bad check and don't discover it until later, the bank or store may pursue you for the amount, and the check writer's bank will charge them a bounced-check fee.
Can I cash a check made out to someone else?
Not without their signature. A check made out to another person's name is not valid for you to cash. The person named on the check can sign the back (endorse it) and write "Pay to the order of [your name]," then you can attempt to cash it, but many banks and stores refuse third-party checks. The safest option is to have the original recipient deposit or cash it themselves.
How long does a check stay valid?
A check is generally valid for six months from the date written. After that, it's considered stale-dated and banks may refuse to cash or deposit it. If you have an old check, contact the check writer and ask for a replacement dated within the last six months.
Is it cheaper to use a check-cashing store or a bank fee?
It depends on the check amount and the bank's fee. A $5 bank fee on a $100 check is 5 percent; a check-cashing store charging 2 percent would cost $2. On a $1,000 check, the bank fee is 0.5 percent while the store is 2 percent. Compare the actual dollar amount for your specific check before deciding.