Places that will cash your check right now

You can cash a check at your bank or credit union even without an account, though they may charge a fee or refuse if you're not a member. The fastest option is usually the bank that issued the check — the one printed in the bottom left corner. That bank will cash it for free or a small fee, often within minutes.

If you don't have time to visit a bank, check-cashing services, grocery stores, and Walmart all cash checks on the spot. Fees range from $2 to $10 depending on the check amount and the business. Walmart typically charges $3 for checks under $1,000 and $6 for checks $1,000 to $5,000. Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Albertsons usually charge $2 to $3 if you have a rewards card, sometimes free if you don't.

Payday loan shops and check-cashing storefronts are open longer hours and on weekends, but charge the highest fees — sometimes 5 to 10 percent of the check amount. Use these only if the check is urgent and other options are closed.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the check will cash it for free or a low fee, even if you have no account.
  • Walmart, grocery stores, and check-cashing services cash checks on the spot for $2 to $10, depending on the amount.
  • You will need a photo ID and the check itself; some places also ask for a second form of ID or a phone number.
  • Payday loan shops charge the highest fees but stay open nights and weekends when banks are closed.
  • Mobile check deposit through a bank app or a friend's account is free but takes one to three business days.

What you need to bring

Every place that cashes checks requires a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some also ask for a second form of ID, a phone number, or your address. A few check-cashing services run your ID through a scanner to verify it's real.

The check itself must be signed by the person who wrote it. If the check is made out to you but signed by someone else, most places will refuse it. If the check is made out to two people (you and someone else), both of you usually need to be present and sign it, though some businesses will cash it if only one person signs.

Postdated checks — checks dated in the future — are usually refused by check-cashing services and retail stores, though banks may hold them until the date arrives. Checks older than six months are considered stale and most places will not cash them.

How to find a check-cashing service near you

Search "check cashing near me" on Google Maps or call ahead before you go. Check-cashing storefronts are common in urban and lower-income areas but rare in suburbs. If you can't find one, call your bank's customer service line and ask which branches near you will cash a check for non-members.

Walmart locations with a MoneyCenter (most do) cash checks during store hours. Grocery stores with check-cashing services are listed on their websites under "services" or "financial services." Call the store directly to confirm they cash checks and what their fee is, because policies vary by location.

If you're in a rural area or a place with few check-cashing options, ask the person who wrote the check if they can deposit it into your account instead, or if they can write you a different form of payment like a money order or cash.

Fees and what they depend on

The fee you pay depends on three things: the amount of the check, the type of business, and whether you're a member or customer. Banks charge $5 to $15 for non-members but often cash checks free for account holders. Walmart charges a flat $3 to $6. Grocery stores charge $2 to $3 or sometimes nothing if you have their rewards card.

Check-cashing storefronts charge a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 3 percent — which means a $500 check costs $5 to $15 to cash. Payday loan shops charge the highest percentage, sometimes 5 to 10 percent, because they also offer short-term loans and make money on fees.

Ask about the fee before you hand over the check. If a place won't tell you the fee upfront, go somewhere else. Some businesses advertise "free check cashing" but charge a membership fee instead, which is not actually free.

When the check might be refused

A check can be refused for several reasons. The most common is that the account it's drawn from has insufficient funds — the bank will tell you this when you try to cash it. If the check bounces, you are responsible for returning the money to the business that cashed it, and they may charge you a returned-check fee of $10 to $30.

Checks are also refused if they're altered, if the signature doesn't match your ID, if they're missing information (like the date or amount), or if they're written in a way that looks suspicious. Some check-cashing services refuse checks from out-of-state banks or very large checks without calling the bank first.

If a check is refused, ask the business why. If it's a mistake on the check itself, ask the person who wrote it to issue a new one. If it's a bounced check, contact the person who wrote it and ask them to deposit funds into their account so the check will clear.

Free alternatives to check cashing

Mobile check deposit is free and takes one to three business days. If you have a friend or family member with a bank account, they can deposit the check into their account using their bank's mobile app, and then transfer the money to you. You don't need an account yourself — the check just needs to be signed by you and deposited by them.

Some banks and credit unions offer second-chance checking accounts that don't require a credit check or a minimum balance. Opening one takes 15 to 30 minutes and costs nothing. Once you have an account, you can deposit checks for free and withdraw the money immediately at an ATM or teller window.

If the check is from your employer, ask if they offer direct deposit instead. This puts your paycheck into any account you choose — even a prepaid card account — and costs nothing. You can also ask your employer if they'll cash your paycheck on the spot, though most will not.

Prepaid cards and check-cashing accounts

Some prepaid card companies, like NetSpend and Chime, let you deposit checks using their mobile app. You photograph the front and back of the check, and the money appears in your account within one to three business days. There's no monthly fee for basic accounts, though some charge a small fee per check deposit.

A few check-cashing services offer prepaid card accounts that let you load checks onto a card instead of getting cash. The card works like a debit card at stores and ATMs. Fees vary — some charge per check, some charge a monthly account fee, and some charge both.

These options are useful if you cash checks regularly and want to avoid paying fees each time. Compare the total cost over a month or a year before you sign up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check made out to someone else?

Only if that person signs the back of the check and is present with you. This is called a third-party check. Many check-cashing services and banks refuse third-party checks entirely because the risk of fraud is higher. Your best option is to ask the person who wrote the check to write a new one made out to you instead.

What if the check is damaged or torn?

Most places will still cash it if the amount, date, and signature are readable and the check number is visible. If large parts are missing or illegible, the business may refuse it. Tape the check together neatly before you bring it in, and explain what happened.

How long does it take to cash a check in person?

At a bank or Walmart, it usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. At a check-cashing storefront, it may take 10 to 30 minutes because they verify your ID more thoroughly. If the business needs to call the bank to confirm funds, add another 10 to 20 minutes.

Do I have to pay taxes on cashed checks?

Not on the check itself. If the check is income (like a paycheck or freelance payment), you owe taxes on it whether you cash it or deposit it. If it's a refund or reimbursement, you typically don't owe taxes. The person who wrote the check may report it to the IRS, so keep records of what the check was for.

What if I lose the check before I cash it?

Contact the person who wrote it and ask them to stop payment on the original check and issue a replacement. This usually takes a few days. If the check was from a business or government agency, call their customer service line and report it lost — they can reissue it or put a stop on the original.