You can send money without a bank account using money transfer services, prepaid cards, or cash pickup locations
If you don't have a bank account, you still have several ways to send money to someone else. The most common routes are money transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram, which let you hand over cash at a physical location and have the recipient pick it up elsewhere. You can also load cash onto a prepaid card and transfer funds from there, use a mobile payment app that accepts cash deposits, or send money through a retailer like Walmart or CVS that offers money transfer at checkout. Each method has different fees, speed, and limits on how much you can send.
The method you choose depends on where the recipient is, how fast they need the money, and how much you're sending. Sending cash across town works differently than sending it across the country or internationally. Some services charge per transaction; others charge a percentage of the amount. Understanding what each option costs and how long it takes helps you pick the cheapest and fastest route for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Western Union and MoneyGram let you pay cash at a store and have the recipient pick up the money at another location, with fees typically ranging from $2 to $15 depending on the amount and distance.
- Prepaid cards like NetSpend or Chime let you load cash at retail locations and then transfer money to another person's bank account or card, though transfer speeds vary by card.
- Walmart-to-Walmart transfers and similar retailer services cost less than traditional money transfer companies but only work if both you and the recipient are near a participating store.
- Mobile payment apps like Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo accept cash deposits at certain retailers, but the recipient must have a bank account or their own app account to receive funds.
- International transfers without a bank account are slower and more expensive; Western Union and MoneyGram are the most reliable options for sending money abroad.
Money transfer services: Western Union and MoneyGram
Western Union and MoneyGram are the largest cash-to-cash transfer networks in the United States. You walk into a participating store (supermarket, pharmacy, check-cashing place, or dedicated agent location), hand over cash and the recipient's information, and pay a fee. The recipient then goes to another location and picks up the money using a reference number and ID. No bank account is needed on either end.
Fees depend on the amount and how far the money is traveling. Sending $100 across town might cost $2 to $5; sending $500 across the country might cost $10 to $15. International transfers cost more—often $15 to $50 depending on the destination country. Both services let you send up to $900 per transaction in most cases, though some locations have lower limits. The money is usually available for pickup within minutes to a few hours.
The main drawback is cost. If you're sending money regularly, the fees add up quickly. You also need the recipient's full name and, for international transfers, their address. If the recipient doesn't have ID or can't get to a pickup location, this method won't work.
Prepaid cards and loading cash at retail
A prepaid card is a reloadable card you can load with cash at stores like Walmart, Target, or CVS. Once the money is on the card, you can transfer it to someone else's bank account or send it through the card's app. Cards like NetSpend, Chime, and Walmart MoneyCard all accept cash loads at retail locations.
The process is straightforward: you buy or activate the card, load cash onto it at a store, and then use the card's app or website to send money to another person's bank account. Transfer times vary—some cards offer next-day transfers, others take two to three business days. Fees for loading cash are usually $0 to $3 per transaction, and transfer fees range from $0 to $2.50 depending on the card and transfer method.
The catch is that the recipient must have a bank account or be willing to receive money into their own prepaid card. If they don't, this method won't work. Also, prepaid cards often charge monthly maintenance fees ($5 to $10) if you don't use them regularly, so this is best for people who plan to use the card for other purchases too.
Retailer money transfer services: Walmart, CVS, and others
Walmart, CVS, and some other retailers offer their own money transfer services at checkout. Walmart-to-Walmart transfers are among the cheapest options: sending $100 costs around $2 to $3, and the money is available for pickup within minutes. CVS and other pharmacies partner with MoneyGram or similar services, so fees are similar to those companies.
The advantage is speed and low cost, especially for smaller amounts. The disadvantage is that both the sender and recipient must be near a participating store. If the recipient lives in a rural area without a Walmart or CVS, this won't work. Also, these services have daily and monthly sending limits—typically $500 to $1,000 per day and $5,000 to $10,000 per month, though limits vary by retailer and location.
To use these services, you need the recipient's full name and the specific store location where they'll pick up the money. Some retailers require a phone number or email as well. The money is held for a set period—usually 60 to 90 days—before it's returned to you if unclaimed.
Mobile payment apps that accept cash deposits
Apps like Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo let you load cash at certain retailers and then send money to other users. Cash App lets you load cash at Walmart, Target, and CVS; PayPal has a similar service through its PayPal Cash option. Once the money is in your app account, you can send it to anyone else with the same app or to a linked bank account.
Fees for loading cash are usually $0 to $3.50 per transaction. Sending money between app users is often free, but sending to a bank account may cost $1.50 to $2 and take one to three business days. The main limitation is that the recipient must have the same app or a bank account to receive the funds. If they don't use apps or have a bank account, you'll need a different method.
These apps also have daily and monthly sending limits. Cash App, for example, limits you to $250 per week for new users and $20,000 per month once you're verified. PayPal and Venmo have similar caps. If you're sending a large amount, you may need to split it across multiple transactions or use a different service.
Sending money internationally without a bank account
International transfers are slower and more expensive than domestic ones, but Western Union and MoneyGram still work without a bank account. You pay cash at a U.S. location, and the recipient picks up the money at a location in their country. Fees are higher—typically $15 to $50 depending on the destination and amount—and the money may take one to three business days to arrive.
Some countries have restrictions on how much you can send and require the recipient to provide additional information like their address or passport number. Western Union and MoneyGram both have country-specific rules, so check their websites or call before you send. If the destination country doesn't have many pickup locations, the recipient may have to travel far to collect the money.
For frequent international transfers, the cost can become prohibitive. If you're sending money regularly to the same country, opening a bank account or using a specialized international transfer service may be cheaper in the long run, even if it requires an initial deposit.
Comparing fees and speed across methods
| Method | Fee Range | Speed | Recipient Needs | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Union / MoneyGram | $2–$15 domestic; $15–$50 international | Minutes to hours | ID and name | One-time transfers, international |
| Prepaid card transfer | $0–$3 load; $0–$2.50 transfer | 1–3 business days | Bank account or card | Regular senders, multiple uses |
| Walmart-to-Walmart | $2–$3 | Minutes | ID and name; nearby store | Quick, cheap domestic transfers |
| Mobile app (Cash App, PayPal) | $0–$3.50 load; free to $2 send | Instant to 3 business days | App account or bank account | Tech-savvy users, frequent transfers |
The cheapest option for small domestic transfers is Walmart-to-Walmart or a mobile app, both of which cost $2 to $3 or less. For larger amounts or international transfers, Western Union and MoneyGram are reliable but more expensive. If you send money regularly, a prepaid card may save money over time despite monthly fees, because you can use it for other purchases and avoid per-transaction costs.
What to do if the recipient doesn't have ID or a bank account
If the recipient can't pick up money in person or doesn't have a bank account, your options narrow. Western Union and MoneyGram require ID for pickup, so those won't work. Mobile apps require a bank account or app account. Prepaid cards require a bank account to receive transfers.
Your best option is to send cash by mail if the recipient is in the United States. Use a tracked, insured method like USPS Registered Mail or UPS, and keep the receipt. This costs $10 to $30 depending on the amount but works for anyone with a mailing address. For international transfers, registered mail is slower and riskier; Western Union or MoneyGram are safer even if the recipient has to travel to pick up the money.
Another option is to send the money to someone the recipient trusts—a family member or friend who has a bank account—and have that person give the cash to the recipient in person. This adds a step but works if the recipient is isolated from financial services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send money if I don't have an ID?
Western Union and MoneyGram require ID to send money, so you'll need a driver's license, passport, or state ID. Mobile apps and prepaid cards also require ID to set up an account. If you don't have ID, mailing cash by registered mail is your only option, though it's slower and riskier.
What's the fastest way to send cash without a bank account?
Walmart-to-Walmart transfers and Western Union are the fastest, with money available for pickup within minutes to a few hours. Mobile apps can be instant if both people have the app, but loading cash into the app takes time. For the absolute fastest transfer, Walmart-to-Walmart is your best bet.
How much can I send at once?
Western Union and MoneyGram typically allow up to $900 per transaction, though some locations have lower limits. Walmart-to-Walmart caps out around $500 to $1,000 per day. Mobile apps have daily and monthly limits that vary by app—Cash App limits new users to $250 per week. Check the specific service's limits before you send.
What happens if the recipient doesn't pick up the money?
Most services hold the money for 60 to 90 days before returning it to you. Western Union and MoneyGram will refund your original payment method, though it may take several business days. Some services charge a small fee to process the refund. Always keep your receipt in case you need to file a claim.
Is it safe to send cash this way?
Money transfer services are generally safe because the money is held by the company, not sent through the mail. The main risk is sending money to someone you don't trust—once they pick it up, you can't get it back. For domestic transfers, Walmart-to-Walmart and Western Union are both secure. For international transfers, use only established services like Western Union or MoneyGram, not informal money couriers.