How to Turn a Check Into Cash

The basic steps to cash a check

To cash a check, you need to take it to a place that will convert it to cash on the spot. The most common places are your bank, a check-cashing store, or a grocery store with a customer service desk. You will need to show a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The person cashing the check will verify that the check is signed, that the amount is filled in, and that your ID matches the name on the check.

The process itself takes a few minutes. You hand over the check and your ID, the cashier scans or examines the check, and you receive cash. Some places will also ask you to sign the back of the check or to provide a thumbprint. Once you have the cash, the transaction is complete — you own the money and the check is no longer your responsibility.

Key Takeaways

• Banks, check-cashing stores, and grocery stores all cash checks on the spot, but fees and speed vary by location.
• You must show a photo ID that matches the name on the check, and the check must be signed and have the amount filled in.
• Check-cashing stores charge a fee (usually a percentage of the check amount or a flat rate) that your bank does not.
• If the check is written to two people, both must be present with ID, or one person must sign it over to the other.
• A check can be cashed only once — once you receive the cash, the check has no further value.

Where to cash a check without a bank account

If you do not have a bank account, check-cashing stores are the most straightforward option. These are standalone businesses that exist specifically to convert checks to cash. You can find them by searching online for "check cashing near me" or by looking in your neighborhood for storefronts with signs advertising check cashing. They are usually open longer hours than banks, including evenings and weekends.

Grocery stores and pharmacies with customer service desks also cash checks, often without charging a fee if you shop there regularly. Walmart, Target, and similar retailers have customer service counters that cash checks during store hours. The advantage is convenience — you may already be going there — and no separate trip. The disadvantage is that their hours are limited to store hours, and some locations have policies about which types of checks they will cash.

Fees and what they depend on

Check-cashing stores charge a fee for converting your check to cash. The fee is usually either a flat amount (such as $2 to $5) or a percentage of the check amount (such as 1 to 3 percent). A $500 check with a 2 percent fee costs you $10. The exact fee depends on the store, the amount of the check, and the type of check — payroll checks often have lower fees than personal checks.

Banks do not charge to cash a check if you have an account with them. If you do not have an account, some banks will cash a check for a fee, but many will not cash checks for non-customers at all. Grocery stores and retailers usually cash checks for free, but they may limit the amount or refuse checks that are not payroll or government checks. Call ahead or ask at the counter before you go, because policies vary by location.

What happens if the check bounces

A check bounces when the person who wrote it does not have enough money in their account to cover it. If you cash a check and it bounces, the money you received is not yours to keep. The check-cashing store or bank will take the money back from your account, or you will be asked to return the cash.

The person who wrote the check is responsible for the bounced check, not you. However, you may face a fee from the place where you cashed it. If you cashed it at a check-cashing store, they may charge you a returned-check fee. If you cashed it at your bank and deposited it to your account, your bank will charge you a non-sufficient-funds fee. The person who wrote the check will also face fees from their bank.

How to cash a check written to two people

If a check is written to two names — such as "John Smith and Jane Smith" — both people must be present with ID to cash it. The cashier will verify that both names match the IDs presented. Both people must sign the back of the check before it can be cashed, and both will receive their share of the cash (or one person will receive all of it if they agree).

If the check says "or" instead of "and" — such as "John Smith or Jane Smith" — then either person can cash it alone. Only one signature is needed on the back. If you are one of the two people and the other person is not available, you can ask them to sign the back of the check and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. This is called a third-party check, and many places will not cash it because of fraud risk. Check with the location first to see if they will accept it.

Cashing checks online or by mail

You cannot cash a check when ready online or by mail. However, you can deposit a check into a bank account using mobile deposit — you photograph the front and back of the check using your bank's app, and the bank credits the money to your account within one to two business days. Once the money is in your account, you can withdraw it as cash at an ATM or at the bank.

Some check-cashing stores offer mail-in services, but these are slow and carry risk — you are mailing a signed check to a business, and you have no may provide it will arrive safely. If you need cash when ready, mailing a check is not a practical option. If you can wait a few days, mobile deposit through a bank is safer and usually free.

What to do if a check is damaged or unclear

If a check is torn, water-damaged, or has writing that is hard to read, the place cashing it may refuse it. The amount must be clear, the signature must be legible, and the routing and account numbers at the bottom must be readable. If the check is slightly damaged but still readable, most places will cash it. If it is severely damaged, the person who wrote the check will need to issue you a new one.

If the amount is written in words and numbers and they do not match — for example, the numbers say $500 but the words say "five hundred fifty dollars" — the check cannot be cashed until the discrepancy is fixed. The person who wrote the check must correct it and initial the change, or issue a new check. Do not try to alter the check yourself, as this is considered check fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check that is postdated?

A postdated check is one with a date in the future. Legally, you should not cash it before that date, but many places will cash it anyway. The person who wrote it may not have the money in their account yet, so the check could bounce. It is safer to wait until the date on the check before cashing it.

What if I lost the check or it was stolen?

If you lost a check that was written to you, contact the person who wrote it and ask them to cancel it and issue a new one. If a check was stolen, report it to the person who wrote it when ready. Once a check is cashed, it cannot be stopped, so the sooner you report it, the better. If someone else cashes a check written to you, that is check fraud, and you should report it to the police.

Do I need to endorse the back of the check?

Most places require you to sign the back of the check before cashing it. This is called endorsing the check. Your signature confirms that you are the person named on the front and that you are authorizing the cash-out. Some places may also ask for a thumbprint or additional ID information on the back.

Can I cash a check at a different bank than the one it was written from?

Yes. The check has a routing number that tells any bank where the money should come from. Your bank or a check-cashing store can process it even if it is not from their bank. The routing number ensures the money is pulled from the correct account.