How to Find a Check Cashing Location Near You

Finding check cashing services in your area

The fastest way to find a check cashing location near you is to search "check cashing near me" on Google Maps or your phone's maps app. This shows you real addresses, hours, and how far each location is from where you are right now. You can also call ahead to confirm they cash the type of check you have — some places only cash payroll checks, while others take personal checks, government checks, or tax refunds.

Major chains like ACE Cash Express, Check Into Cash, and Money Mart have multiple locations in most states. Walmart and some grocery stores also offer check cashing at customer service desks, often with lower fees than standalone check cashing shops. Pawn shops in your area may cash checks too, though their fees and hours vary widely.

Your own bank or credit union is worth calling first, even if you don't have an account there. Many will cash checks for non-members for a small fee or sometimes free, especially if the check is drawn on their bank. This is often cheaper than a check cashing store.

Key Takeaways

• Google Maps and your phone's maps app show check cashing locations near you, their hours, and customer reviews in seconds.
• Banks and credit unions often cash checks for non-members at lower cost than check cashing stores, so call yours first.
• Walmart and grocery store customer service desks cash checks and may charge less than dedicated check cashing shops.
• Call ahead to confirm the location accepts your type of check — payroll, personal, government, and tax refund checks are not always accepted everywhere.

What to bring when you go

Bring the check itself and a valid photo ID. Most check cashing places require a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Some will accept a military ID or tribal ID. A few locations ask for a second form of ID, so calling ahead saves you a trip.

If the check is made out to someone else and you have power of attorney or are an authorized representative, bring that document too. If you are cashing a check made out to two people, both people usually need to be present with ID, though some places allow one person to sign on behalf of the other if you have written permission.

Fees and what they cost

Check cashing fees are not regulated by the federal government, so they vary by location and by the type of check. A payroll check at a check cashing store typically costs between 1 and 3 percent of the check amount, though some charge a flat fee instead — for example, $5 to $15 per check. A personal check usually costs more, sometimes 5 to 10 percent.

Banks and credit unions almost always charge less — often $0 to $5 per check, or nothing at all for non-members. Walmart and grocery stores typically charge $3 to $6. Always ask the fee before you hand over your check, because it comes out of what you receive.

Some check cashing stores offer discounts if you cash checks there regularly or if you use other services like money transfers. Ask whether they have a rewards program or lower rates for repeat customers.

Checks that may be harder to cash

Personal checks from someone you know are the hardest to cash at a check cashing store, because the store takes on the risk if the check bounces. Many stores will not cash them at all, or will charge a much higher fee and hold the check for several days while they verify the funds.

Checks with a date in the future (post-dated checks) cannot be cashed until that date arrives. Checks that are more than six months old are considered stale and most places will refuse them. If a check is torn, has writing on the back, or looks altered, the store may reject it.

Government checks like tax refunds or Social Security are usually the easiest and cheapest to cash, because the government guarantees the funds. Payroll checks are also straightforward at most locations.

When a location is closed or too far away

If you cannot reach a check cashing store during business hours, some banks and credit unions offer mobile check deposit through their app — you photograph the front and back of the check and it deposits into an account. This works for checks made out to you and requires you to have an account, but it is free and available 24/7.

If you do not have a bank account, some check cashing stores offer prepaid debit cards that you can load money onto after they cash your check. This gives you a card you can use anywhere instead of carrying cash.

In rural areas where check cashing stores are scarce, your bank, credit union, or post office may be your only option. Post offices do not cash checks, but they can direct you to the nearest location that does.

Online check cashing services

Some companies offer to cash checks online by having you photograph the check and deposit it into a temporary account. These services charge fees similar to check cashing stores — usually 1 to 5 percent of the check amount — and the money appears in your bank account within one to three business days.

Online check cashing requires you to have a bank account to receive the funds. It is useful if you cannot leave home or if no physical location is nearby, but it is slower than walking into a store and getting cash the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check that is made out to someone else?

Only if that person signs the back and you have written permission, and even then many check cashing stores refuse to do it. The safest option is to have the person who the check is made out to cash it themselves, or to have them deposit it into their own account and transfer you the money.

What if the check cashing store says my check is fake?

Ask them to explain what looks wrong with it. If you believe the check is real, contact the person or company who wrote it and ask them to verify. You can also call the bank that the check is drawn on and ask them to confirm the account exists. Do not leave the check with the store.

Do I need an account to cash a check at a bank?

No. Most banks will cash checks drawn on their own bank for non-members, sometimes free and sometimes for a small fee. Call your local branch to ask their policy. Banks almost never cash checks drawn on other banks for non-members.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At a check cashing store or bank, it usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Online check cashing takes one to three business days. If the store wants to verify the funds on a personal check, it may take several days and they may hold the money.

What happens if a check bounces after I cash it?

If you cashed it at a store, the store absorbs the loss, not you. If you deposited it into your bank account, your bank will reverse the deposit and may charge you an overdraft or returned check fee. This is why banks verify funds before cashing personal checks.