Where to Cash a Check and What Each Option Costs

The fastest places to cash a check near you

Your bank or credit union will cash your check for free if you have an account there — that is always the cheapest option. If you do not have an account or your bank is closed, a check-cashing store, grocery store, or Walmart can cash it the same day, usually within minutes. The trade-off is a fee, which ranges from $2 to $10 depending on the check amount and the business.

The place that cashes your check fastest depends on what is open right now. A 24-hour Walmart or grocery store with a money services desk beats a check-cashing store if you need cash at 11 p.m. Your own bank beats all of them if you have an account, because there is no fee and no ID verification delays.

Key Takeaways

• Your bank or credit union cashes checks for free if you have an account, and many let you cash checks on your phone or at an ATM.
• Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount (usually 1 to 3 percent) or a flat fee, and require a government ID.
• Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks at their customer service desk for a flat fee, often $3 to $5, and are open longer than banks.
• Online banks and some employers let you deposit checks without visiting a location, which takes one to two business days but costs nothing.
• A second form of ID or a utility bill may be required if the check is large or if you are cashing it somewhere other than your bank.

How check-cashing stores set their fees

Check-cashing stores charge either a percentage of the check amount or a flat fee per check. A percentage fee is usually 1 to 3 percent — so a $500 check costs $5 to $15 to cash. A flat fee might be $3 for any check under $500 and $5 for checks over $500. The exact fee depends on the store location and the check type.

Payroll checks and government checks (like Social Security or tax refunds) often have lower fees than personal checks, because the store knows the money is may provide. A personal check from someone you know may cost more because the store takes on more risk if the check bounces. Always ask the fee before you hand over the check — stores are required to post it, but it is straightforward to miss.

What you need to bring to cash a check

You will need a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If the check is large (usually over $1,000) or if you are cashing it at a store rather than your bank, the cashier may ask for a second form of ID, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name and address.

The check itself must be made out to you by name, and it must not be post-dated (dated in the future). If the back of the check is blank, you will sign it at the counter in front of the cashier. Some stores ask you to write your phone number or driver's license number on the back as well.

Banks and credit unions versus check-cashing stores

If you have a bank or credit union account, cashing a check there is always free. You can often do it at an ATM, on your phone, or at a teller window. Many banks let you take a photo of the front and back of the check using their mobile app, and the money appears in your account within one business day — you do not have to visit a branch at all.

Check-cashing stores are useful when you do not have a bank account or when your bank is closed. They are open longer (many are open until 8 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays), and they cash checks when ready in cash. The downside is the fee and the fact that you are not building a banking relationship or a record of the transaction.

If you are cashing checks regularly and do not have a bank account, opening one at a bank or credit union usually pays for itself within a few months. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance.

Grocery stores and retailers that cash checks

Walmart, Target, and most grocery store chains cash checks at their customer service desk. The fee is usually a flat $3 to $5 per check, regardless of the amount. Hours are longer than a bank — many are open until 10 or 11 p.m. — and the line is often shorter than at a check-cashing store.

The process is the same: bring your government ID, sign the back of the check at the counter, and the cashier counts out your cash. Some stores limit the number of checks you can cash per day or per visit, so ask before you hand over multiple checks.

Cashing checks without visiting a location

If you have a bank account, you can deposit a check by taking a photo of it on your phone. Most banks and credit unions offer this through their mobile app, and the money is usually available within one business day. You do not pay a fee, and you do not have to visit a branch.

Some employers let you set up direct deposit, which means your paycheck goes straight into your bank account without you having to cash a check at all. If your employer offers this, it is the fastest and cheapest option — the money arrives on payday and you never handle a physical check.

Online banks like Chime, Varo, and others offer mobile check deposit as well. If you do not have a traditional bank account, opening one of these accounts takes about 10 minutes on your phone and usually costs nothing.

What to do if a check bounces

If you cash a check and it bounces (the account does not have enough money), the store or bank that cashed it will try to get the money back from you. If you already spent the cash, you may owe the store a fee on top of the check amount. This is why cashing a check at your own bank is safer — your bank knows the person who wrote the check and can verify the account before handing over cash.

If you are cashing a check from someone you do not know well, ask them to confirm the account has the money before you cash it. If the check is large, consider asking the person to go to their bank with you so you can watch them verify the funds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check made out to someone else?

No. A check must be made out to you by name. If someone gives you a check made out to them, they need to sign the back and you need to sign below their signature (called a third-party check). Many stores and banks no longer accept third-party checks because of fraud risk, so ask first.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At a bank, check-cashing store, or retail location, cashing takes 5 to 10 minutes. If you deposit a check by phone or app, the money is usually available within one business day, sometimes two. Direct deposit from your employer arrives on payday with no action from you.

What if I do not have a government ID?

Most places will not cash a check without a photo ID. If you do not have one, explore for a state ID card at your local DMV or equivalent office. In the meantime, your bank may cash a check if you have an account and can verify your identity another way, such as a PIN or recent statement.

Is there a limit to how much I can cash?

Check-cashing stores and retailers may have daily or per-check limits, usually $1,000 to $5,000. Banks typically have higher limits or no limit at all for account holders. Ask the location before you arrive with a large check.

Why do check-cashing stores charge so much?

Check-cashing stores take on the risk that a check will bounce, and they pay rent and staff to stay open longer than banks. The fee covers that cost. If you cash checks regularly, a bank account is cheaper — many are free and have no minimum balance.