Where you can cash a check without a bank account
You can cash a personal check at the bank or credit union that issued it, at a check-cashing store, at some retail locations, or through a mobile check deposit app if you have a smartphone. The bank that issued the check—the one printed on the front—will cash it for free if you bring the check and a photo ID to a teller. Check-cashing stores will cash it anywhere, but they charge a fee that ranges from 1 to 10 percent of the check amount depending on the store and the check size. Walmart, Target, and some grocery stores cash checks during business hours for a flat fee, usually $3 to $6. A few banks and fintech companies now offer check deposit through their mobile app even without an account, though you'll need to set up a temporary account or wallet to receive the funds.
The fastest option is almost always the issuing bank itself, because they can verify the check immediately and you walk out with cash the same day. Check-cashing stores are open longer hours and don't require you to know which bank issued the check, but the fee cuts into what you receive. Retail locations fall somewhere in between—they're convenient and have reasonable fees, but some locations don't cash checks or have daily limits.
Key Takeaways
- The bank that issued the check will cash it for free with a photo ID, and this is the cheapest option available to you.
- Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 10 percent of the check amount as a fee, and the exact rate depends on the store and how large the check is.
- Walmart and some grocery stores cash checks for a flat fee of $3 to $6, which may be cheaper than a check-cashing store for larger checks.
- You need a photo ID at every location, and the check must be made out to you or endorsed to you by the person it was made out to.
- Mobile check deposit apps let you deposit a check into a digital wallet without visiting a physical location, though setup takes a few minutes.
How to cash a check at the issuing bank
Find the name of the bank on the front of the check—it's printed at the top or bottom. Walk into any branch of that bank during business hours with the check and a photo ID. Tell the teller you want to cash the check. They will verify that the account has funds, confirm your identity, and give you cash. This takes about five minutes and costs nothing.
You do not need to have an account at that bank. The bank is obligated to cash checks drawn on its own accounts for anyone with valid ID. If the check is post-dated (dated in the future), the bank may refuse to cash it until that date arrives. If the check is very old—more than six months—the bank may also refuse, though some banks will still honor it. Call the bank's customer service number on the back of the check if you're unsure whether they'll cash it, or visit a branch and ask before you hand over the check.
Using a check-cashing store
Check-cashing stores are retail businesses that cash checks for a fee. You bring the check and a photo ID, the clerk verifies the check by phone or computer with the issuing bank, and you receive cash minus the fee. The fee is usually calculated as a percentage of the check amount—typically 1 to 3 percent for personal checks, though some stores charge up to 10 percent for very small checks. A $500 check might cost $5 to $15 to cash, depending on the store.
Check-cashing stores are useful when you don't know which bank issued the check, when the issuing bank has no nearby branch, or when you need cash outside of normal banking hours. Many are open evenings and weekends. However, the fee adds up quickly if you cash checks regularly. Some stores also require you to provide additional information beyond your ID, such as a phone number or address, which they may record in their system. Ask about the fee before you hand over the check, since rates vary widely between locations.
Cashing checks at retail locations
Walmart, Target, and many grocery store chains offer check-cashing services at their customer service desk. The fee is usually a flat amount—$3 to $6 per check—rather than a percentage, which makes this option cheaper than a check-cashing store for larger checks. You bring the check and a photo ID, the clerk verifies it, and you receive cash. The process takes about ten minutes.
Not every location cashes checks, so call ahead or ask at the customer service desk before you go. Some stores have daily limits on how much they will cash in a single transaction or per day. Hours vary by location, but most are open until at least 9 or 10 p.m., which is later than most banks. Some stores will not cash checks made out to a business or checks that are post-dated. If you're cashing a large check, confirm the store's daily limit before you arrive.
Mobile check deposit without a bank account
A few fintech companies and online banks now offer check deposit through a mobile app without requiring a traditional bank account. You photograph the front and back of the check using your phone, the app verifies the image, and the funds are deposited into a digital wallet or prepaid account. You can then transfer the money to a debit card or withdraw it at an ATM. The process takes a few minutes, and you never have to leave home.
To use mobile check deposit, you need a smartphone with a camera and internet access. You will need to create an account with the app, which usually requires an email address and a phone number. Some apps charge a small fee per deposit or a monthly subscription; others are free. The funds may not be available immediately—some apps hold the check for verification for one to three business days before releasing the money. Read the app's terms carefully to understand any fees, deposit limits, or restrictions on how you can access the funds.
What to do if the check is made out to someone else
If the check is made out to another person, that person must endorse it to you before you can cash it. They sign the back of the check and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. You then sign below their signature. This is called a third-party check, and many banks and check-cashing stores will not accept it because of fraud risk. Some will accept it only if the person who originally received the check is present with ID.
The safest approach is to ask the person who received the check to cash it themselves and give you the money, or to deposit it into their own account and transfer the funds to you. If that's not possible, call ahead to the bank or check-cashing store and ask whether they accept third-party checks before you go. Some locations have stopped accepting them entirely due to fraud concerns, so you may need to try multiple places.
Fees and costs across all methods
| Method | Cost | Speed | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Free | Same day, 5 minutes | Photo ID, check made out to you |
| Check-cashing store | 1–10% of check amount | Same day, 10 minutes | Photo ID, check made out to you |
| Walmart or grocery store | $3–$6 flat fee | Same day, 10 minutes | Photo ID, check made out to you |
| Mobile check deposit app | Free to $5 per deposit | 1–3 business days | Smartphone, app account, check made out to you |
The issuing bank is always the cheapest option because there is no fee. For checks under $100, a check-cashing store's percentage fee may be higher than a flat fee at a retail location, so compare before you go. For checks over $500, the flat fee at a retail location is usually cheaper than the percentage fee at a check-cashing store. Mobile check deposit is free at some apps but may charge a fee at others, and the funds take longer to arrive.
When you're deciding which method to use, consider not just the fee but also your time and the hours you need. If you need cash immediately and the issuing bank is nearby, that's your best choice. If you need cash outside banking hours or don't know which bank issued the check, a retail location or check-cashing store may be worth the fee.
What you need to bring and what can go wrong
You need a photo ID—a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. Some locations will accept other forms of ID, but a photo ID is the standard. The check must be made out to you by name, and your name on the ID must match the name on the check. If your name has changed since the check was written, bring documentation of the name change (marriage certificate, court order) along with your ID.
A check can be refused if the account it's drawn on has insufficient funds, if the check is post-dated or very old, if it appears to be altered or forged, or if there is a stop payment order on it. If a check is refused, the bank or store will tell you why. If the account has no funds, you can ask the person who wrote the check to deposit money and try again later. If the check is post-dated, you must wait until that date. If you believe the check is legitimate but the bank suspects fraud, contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to verify it with their bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cash a check if I don't have a photo ID?
Most banks and check-cashing stores require a photo ID and will not cash a check without one. Some locations may accept other forms of ID if you explain your situation, but this is not may provide. Your best option is to obtain a state ID card from your local DMV, which is usually inexpensive and can be used for check cashing and other purposes.
How long does a check stay valid?
A personal check is generally valid for six months from the date written on it. After six months, the check is considered stale-dated, and many banks will refuse to cash it. Some banks will still honor a stale-dated check if you ask, but there is no legal obligation to do so. If your check is old, contact the person who wrote it and ask for a new one.
What happens if the check bounces after I cash it?
If you cash a check and the account has insufficient funds, the check bounces. The location where you cashed it may reverse the transaction and take back the cash, or they may pursue you for the amount. This is rare if you cashed it at the issuing bank, because they verify funds before handing over cash. It is more common with check-cashing stores and retail locations, which may not verify funds immediately.
Can I deposit a check into someone else's account if I don't have my own?
No. A check must be deposited into an account in the name of the person it is made out to, or into an account held jointly by that person and another. You cannot deposit a check made out to you into someone else's account. If you need to give the money to someone else, cash the check first and then give them the cash or transfer the funds electronically.
Is it cheaper to use a check-cashing store or a retail location?
It depends on the check amount. Retail locations charge a flat fee ($3–$6), while check-cashing stores charge a percentage (1–10%). For a $100 check, a 3 percent fee at a check-cashing store is $3, the same as a retail location. For a $500 check, 3 percent is $15, while a retail location is still $3–$6. For small checks, check-cashing stores may be more expensive. For large checks, retail locations are usually cheaper.