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 you even if you have no account there. Check-cashing stores and retailers like Walmart, Target, and grocery chains will also cash checks, though they charge a fee and may have limits on the amount.

The fastest and cheapest route depends on which option is available to you and whether you have any form of bank account at all. If you have a savings account or prepaid card, depositing the check there costs nothing and takes one to three business days. If you need cash immediately and have no account, your bank of issue is free but may require an ID, while check-cashing stores are open longer but charge between $2 and $10 per check.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the check will cash it for free if you show a valid ID, even if you have no account with them.
  • Check-cashing stores charge $2 to $10 per check and are open longer than banks, but the fee is the trade-off for convenience.
  • Depositing a check into a savings account, prepaid card, or money market account is free and takes one to three business days.
  • Retail locations like Walmart and Target cash checks for a fee, usually $3 to $6, and may limit the amount to $1,000 or $2,000.
  • Some employers and payroll services will cash paychecks directly or deposit them to a prepaid card without requiring a bank account.

Cashing a check at the bank that issued it

The issuing bank — the one whose name appears at the bottom left of the check — must cash the check for you at no cost. You do not need to have an account there. Bring the check and a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some banks may ask for a second form of ID or may require you to sign the back of the check in front of a teller.

Bank hours are typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some branches open on Saturday mornings. If the check is drawn on a bank that has no branch near you, you can call the bank's customer service line to ask whether they will cash it at any branch, or whether they offer mobile check deposit to customers without accounts. A few banks do offer this service, though it is rare.

Using a check-cashing store

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks — often until 7 or 8 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday — and do not require you to have an account. They charge a fee based on the check amount, usually between $2 and $10. A $500 check might cost $5 to $8 to cash, while a $1,000 check might cost $8 to $15. The fee is a percentage of the check amount, typically 1 to 3 percent, though some stores charge a flat fee instead.

Bring a valid ID and the check. Some stores may ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint. Ask about the fee before you hand over the check — fees vary by location and by check type, and some stores charge more for out-of-state checks or checks from smaller banks. Compare fees at two or three stores in your area if you have the time; the difference can be $3 to $5 on a large check.

Depositing a check into a savings account or prepaid card

If you have a savings account at any bank or credit union, you can deposit the check there for free. The funds will be available in one to three business days, depending on the bank and the amount. You do not need a checking account — a savings account works just as well. Bring the check and your ID to a branch, or use mobile check deposit if your bank offers it through its app.

Prepaid cards — such as those issued by PayPal, Chime, or NetSpend — often allow mobile check deposit as well. Download the card's app, take a photo of the front and back of the check, and submit it. The funds usually appear within one to three business days. Some prepaid cards charge a monthly fee ($5 to $15) to hold the account, though many have no monthly cost if you set up direct deposit of your paycheck.

A money market account at a bank or credit union also accepts check deposits and typically pays a small amount of interest on the balance. These accounts usually require a minimum balance of $1,000 to $2,500 and may limit the number of withdrawals per month, but they cost nothing to open and nothing to deposit a check.

Cashing checks at retail locations

Walmart, Target, and many grocery chains offer check-cashing services at their customer service desk. The fee is usually $3 to $6 per check, and they typically cash checks up to $1,000 or $2,000. Hours are longer than banks — often 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — and you do not need an account anywhere. Bring a valid ID and the check.

Not all locations offer this service, so call ahead or check the store's website before you go. Some stores will not cash checks from out-of-state banks or checks that are more than 90 days old. Ask about the fee and the limit before you hand over the check.

Getting a paycheck cashed without a bank account

If the check is a paycheck from your employer, ask your payroll department whether they offer check-cashing services or direct deposit to a prepaid card. Some employers will cash paychecks on-site for employees, or will deposit your pay to a prepaid card that you can use immediately without opening a bank account. This is the fastest and cheapest option if it is available to you.

If your employer uses a payroll service like ADP or Paychex, those services sometimes offer prepaid card options as well. Ask your HR or payroll contact what options are available. If your employer does not offer this, the check-cashing store or retail location route is your next best option for getting cash the same day.

What to do if the check is old or damaged

A check is typically valid for six months from the date written on it. After six months, the bank may refuse to cash it, though some banks will still honor it. If the check is older than six months, contact the person or business that issued it and ask for a replacement check with a new date.

If the check is torn, stained, or has writing on it that was not there when it was issued, the bank or check-cashing store may refuse it. If the damage is minor — a small tear in a corner, for example — most banks will still cash it. If the damage is significant, ask the issuer for a replacement. Do not write on the check yourself except to sign the back; any other writing may cause it to be rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ID to cash a check?

Yes. All banks, check-cashing stores, and retail locations require a valid government-issued ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. This is a federal requirement to prevent fraud. Some places may ask for a second form of ID as well.

How much does it cost to cash a check at a check-cashing store?

Fees range from $2 to $10 per check, usually calculated as 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. A $500 check might cost $5 to $8, while a $100 check might cost $2 to $3. Call ahead to compare fees at stores near you.

Can I cash a check at a bank where I don't have an account?

Yes, the bank that issued the check must cash it for free if you show a valid ID. You do not need an account there. However, if you try to cash a check at a different bank — one that did not issue it — they may refuse or charge a fee.

How long does it take to deposit a check into a prepaid card?

Mobile check deposit through a prepaid card app usually takes one to three business days for the funds to appear. Some prepaid cards offer faster deposit if you pay a fee, but most standard deposits follow the one- to three-day timeline.

What if the check is from out of state?

Banks and credit unions will cash out-of-state checks at no extra cost. Check-cashing stores and retail locations may charge a higher fee for out-of-state checks or may refuse them entirely. Call ahead to ask before you go.