Your main options for cashing a check

You can cash a check at the bank or credit union that issued it, at a check-cashing store, at some retail locations, or by depositing it into a savings account, prepaid card, or money market account. The bank that issued the check — the one printed in the bottom left corner — will cash it for free if you show a government ID, even if you have no account there. Check-cashing stores and retailers charge a fee, usually between $2 and $10 depending on the check amount. The fastest route is almost always the issuing bank.

Your choice depends on three things: how quickly you need the money, whether you have an ID, and how much you want to pay in fees. If the check is from your employer or a government agency, the issuing bank is your best bet. If you need cash the same day and the bank is closed, a check-cashing store is your fallback, though you will lose money to their fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank or credit union that issued the check will cash it for free if you show a government ID, regardless of whether you have an account.
  • Check-cashing stores charge $2 to $10 per check and are open longer hours than banks, but you lose money to fees.
  • Walmart, Target, and some grocery stores cash checks for a flat fee, often lower than dedicated check-cashing stores.
  • You can deposit a check into a savings account, prepaid card, or money market account instead of cashing it, which avoids fees but requires a few business days.
  • Bring a government-issued ID to any location where you cash a check; without one, most places will refuse.

Cashing at the issuing bank for free

Go to any branch of the bank or credit union whose name appears at the bottom left of the check. Bring the check and a government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all work. You do not need to have an account at that bank. Tell the teller you want to cash the check, and they will verify the check is genuine, confirm the funds are there, and give you cash on the spot.

This takes about five to ten minutes during business hours. If the check is large — over $5,000 — the bank may ask questions about where it came from, but they will still cash it. If the check is post-dated (dated in the future), most banks will refuse until that date arrives. If the check is damaged, torn, or written in pen that has faded, the bank may reject it or ask the person who wrote it to issue a new one.

The issuing bank is free because they are the ones responsible for the money. They have no reason to charge you a fee for handing over their own funds. This is why it is always your first choice if you have time and the bank is open.

Check-cashing stores and their fees

Check-cashing stores are storefronts that cash checks for a fee, usually $2 to $10 depending on the check amount. A $100 check might cost $3 to cash; a $1,000 check might cost $8 to $10. They are open longer than banks — often until 8 or 9 p.m. and on Saturdays — and they cash checks in minutes. Bring your government ID and the check, and you walk out with cash.

The downside is the fee. If you cash a $500 check and pay $8, you are losing 1.6% of the money. Over time, if you cash checks this way regularly, those fees add up. Check-cashing stores also sometimes ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint, and they may refuse checks that are post-dated, unsigned, or made out to someone other than you.

Use a check-cashing store when the issuing bank is closed and you need cash today. Otherwise, the free option at the issuing bank is worth the wait.

Retail locations that cash checks

Walmart, Target, and many grocery store chains cash checks at their customer service desk. Walmart charges a flat $3 for checks up to $1,000 and $6 for checks over $1,000. Target charges $2 to $5 depending on check size. Grocery stores vary — some charge $2, others charge $3 to $5. You need a government ID and the check itself.

The advantage is that these stores are often open later than banks and on Sundays, and their fees are usually lower than dedicated check-cashing stores. The disadvantage is that they may refuse checks that are post-dated, made out to two people, or written for an unusual amount. Some locations have daily limits — Walmart, for example, will not cash a check over $5,000.

Retail check-cashing is a middle ground: cheaper than a check-cashing store, but not free. Use it when the issuing bank is closed and you want to avoid the higher fees at a dedicated check-cashing store.

Depositing into a savings account or prepaid card

If you do not need cash immediately, you can deposit the check into a savings account, prepaid card, or money market account instead of cashing it. Many banks and credit unions let you deposit checks by taking a photo with your phone and uploading it through their app — you do not need to visit a branch. Prepaid card companies like NetSpend and Chime also accept mobile check deposits.

The money usually arrives in your account within one to three business days. You then withdraw it from an ATM or use the debit card to spend it. This route costs nothing and avoids all fees, but it requires you to wait for the deposit to clear and to have access to an ATM or card.

This option works well if you have a few days before you need the money. If you need cash today, it will not help.

What to do if you have no ID

Most banks, check-cashing stores, and retailers will not cash a check without a government-issued ID. If you do not have one, your options narrow. Some check-cashing stores will cash a check if someone with an ID co-signs it, though this is rare and they may charge an extra fee. A few banks will cash a check for an existing customer without an ID if the teller recognizes them, but this depends on the branch and the teller.

Your best move is to get a government ID. A state ID card costs $15 to $50 depending on your state and takes one to three weeks to arrive. If you need cash sooner, ask the person who wrote the check whether they can issue a replacement check made out to someone else who has an ID, or whether they can deposit the money directly into your account instead.

Checks that banks may refuse to cash

Banks and check-cashing stores can refuse to cash a check if it is post-dated (dated in the future), stale-dated (more than six months old), unsigned, torn or damaged, made out to two people with "and" between the names, or written for an amount that does not match the written-out words. If the check is from a business and the signature does not match the name on file, they may refuse it too.

If a check is refused, ask the person who wrote it to issue a new one or to contact their bank to confirm the check is good. Do not try to alter a check or forge a signature — that is a crime. If the check is old, ask the issuer whether it is still valid; some checks expire after a certain time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash someone else's check if they sign the back?

No. A check made out to someone else cannot be cashed by you, even if they sign the back. Banks and check-cashing stores will refuse it. The person whose name is on the check must be the one to cash it or deposit it. If you need to transfer money from someone, ask them to write a check in your name instead.

What if the check is damaged or torn?

Banks may refuse a damaged check or ask you to get a replacement from the person who wrote it. If the damage is minor — a small tear or a smudged corner — the issuing bank may still cash it. Check-cashing stores are stricter and often refuse any check that is not in perfect condition. If your check is damaged, contact the issuer and ask for a new one.

How long does a check stay good?

A check is usually good for six months from the date written on it. After six months, it is considered stale-dated and most banks will refuse to cash it. Some banks will cash an older check if the issuer confirms it is still valid, but this is not may provide. If your check is old, contact the person who wrote it and ask for a replacement.

Can I cash a check at a different bank than the one that issued it?

Some banks will cash checks from other banks for a fee, usually $5 to $10. Most will not. Your best bet is to go to the bank whose name is on the check — they will cash it for free. If that bank is not convenient, use a check-cashing store or retail location instead.

What if I lose the check before I cash it?

Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to stop payment on the original and issue a replacement. This usually takes a few days. If the check is from a business or government agency, they can issue a new one quickly. If it is from an individual, they may need to contact their bank first.