Where you can cash a check without opening an account
You can cash a check at the bank or credit union that issued it, at a check-cashing store, at some grocery stores and pharmacies, through a mobile app, or by mailing it to the check writer and asking them to send cash instead. The bank that issued the check will always cash it for free if you have the check and a valid ID, even if you have no account there. Check-cashing stores and retailers charge a fee—usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, though fees vary by location and the check size.
The fastest option is usually the issuing bank, because they verify the funds immediately and hand you cash on the spot. Grocery stores and pharmacies are slower but often cheaper than dedicated check-cashing stores. Mobile apps like Ingo Money and Mobile Deposit let you photograph the check and deposit it to a prepaid card or digital wallet, which takes one to two business days but costs nothing if you already have the card.
Key Takeaways
- The bank or credit union that issued the check will cash it for free with a valid ID, regardless of whether you have an account.
- Check-cashing stores and retail locations charge a percentage fee, typically 1 to 3 percent, which increases with the check amount.
- Mobile check-deposit apps photograph the check and move money to a prepaid card or digital wallet in one to two business days at no cost.
- Bring a government-issued ID and the original check to any location; some retailers also require a second form of ID or a phone number.
Cashing at the issuing bank or credit union
Walk into any branch of the bank or credit union that issued the check—the name appears in the top left corner—with your valid ID and the check itself. Tell the teller you want to cash it. They will verify the account has sufficient funds and give you cash immediately. This costs nothing and takes about five minutes.
You do not need an account at that bank. You do not need to know the account holder. The only requirement is a government-issued ID: a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Some banks ask a second question to confirm you are not the account holder (for example, "Do you know the account holder?"), but they will cash it either way.
If the check is large—over $5,000 in most cases—the bank may place a hold while they confirm the funds, which can take a day or two. Ask the teller before you leave whether the check will clear the same day or if a hold is in place.
Check-cashing stores and retail locations
Check-cashing stores exist specifically to cash checks for people without bank accounts. You bring the check and a valid ID, they verify it, and you pay a fee. The fee is usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount—so a $500 check might cost $5 to $15 to cash. Fees are higher for larger checks and vary by state and by store.
Grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Target also cash checks, often at lower fees than dedicated check-cashing stores. Walmart charges a flat fee (usually $3 to $6 depending on the check amount) rather than a percentage, which makes it cheaper for large checks. Grocery stores often charge $2 to $5. Call ahead to confirm the store cashes checks and ask what the fee is for your check amount.
Bring your government-issued ID and the original check. Some retailers also ask for a second form of ID or a phone number. The process takes 10 to 20 minutes. If the check is very large or if the store suspects fraud, they may place a hold or refuse to cash it.
Mobile check-deposit apps and prepaid cards
Apps like Ingo Money, Mobile Deposit, and PayPal let you photograph the front and back of a check and deposit it to a prepaid card, digital wallet, or bank account. You take two photos with your phone, submit them through the app, and the money arrives in one to two business days. There is no fee if you already have the card or account.
This option works best if you already use a prepaid card like NetSpend, Chime, or Serve, or if you have a digital wallet like PayPal or Square Cash. You will need to verify your identity the first time you use the app—usually by providing your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Some apps also ask for a photo of your ID.
The main drawback is the two-day wait. If you need cash today, this will not work. Also, some apps limit how many checks you can deposit per month or per year, and some have a maximum check amount (often $5,000 or $10,000).
What to do if the check is post-dated or stale
A post-dated check is one written for a future date. Banks and check-cashing stores are not required to cash it before that date, though many will. Call the location first and ask whether they will cash a post-dated check, and whether they will do it before the date on the check.
A stale check is one that is more than six months old. Banks will usually refuse to cash it because they assume the account holder has stopped payment. If you have a stale check, contact the person or business that wrote it and ask them to write a new one. Do not try to cash the old check—it will be rejected and may trigger a fraud alert.
What happens if the check bounces
If you cash a check and the account does not have enough money to cover it, the check bounces. The bank will reverse the transaction and take the money back from wherever you deposited or cashed it. If you already spent the cash, you will owe that money back.
At a check-cashing store, the store will contact you and demand repayment. If you do not pay, they may send the debt to a collection agency or sue you. At a bank, the teller may ask you to return the cash immediately, or they may reverse the transaction and contact you later.
To protect yourself, ask the teller or cashier whether they verify funds before handing over cash. Most do, but some check-cashing stores do not. If they do not verify, you are taking on the risk that the check will bounce.
Comparing your options by cost and speed
| Option | Cost | Speed | ID Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Free | Same day (5 min) | Government ID |
| Check-cashing store | 1–3% of check | Same day (10–20 min) | Government ID |
| Walmart or Target | $3–$6 flat fee | Same day (10–20 min) | Government ID |
| Grocery store | $2–$5 | Same day (10–20 min) | Government ID |
| Mobile app (prepaid card) | Free | 1–2 business days | Name, DOB, SSN last 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know who wrote the check?
No. You only need the check itself and a valid ID. The bank or check-cashing location will verify the funds and cash it regardless of your relationship to the account holder.
What if I don't have a government-issued ID?
Most banks and check-cashing stores will not cash a check without one. If you do not have a driver's license or passport, you can obtain a state ID card from your local DMV. Some check-cashing stores may accept a tribal ID or passport card, but call first to confirm.
Can I cash a check written to someone else?
No. The check must be written to you or to "Cash." If it is written to someone else, that person must sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]," then sign again. This is called a third-party check, and many banks and stores refuse to cash them because of fraud risk.
What's the difference between a check-cashing store and a payday loan place?
A check-cashing store cashes checks for a fee. A payday loan place lends you money against a future paycheck and charges interest. They are different services. If you only need to cash a check, go to a check-cashing store, not a payday lender.
How long does a check hold usually last?
Most holds last one to two business days for local checks and up to five business days for out-of-state checks. Ask the teller when the hold will lift before you leave the bank.