Where to Cash a Check Without a Bank Account

The fastest places to cash a check are check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart

You can cash a check at a check-cashing store (also called a check-cashing service), most grocery store customer service desks, Walmart, and some pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. Banks and credit unions will cash checks even if you do not have an account there, though they may charge a fee or ask for ID. The place you choose depends on what you have nearby, how much the check is for, and whether you want to avoid fees.

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks — often until 7 or 8 p.m. and on Saturdays — but they charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 3 percent. A grocery store or Walmart charges nothing if you cash the check as part of a purchase, or a flat fee (often $3 to $5) if you cash it alone. Banks charge nothing to their own customers and may charge $5 to $10 to non-customers. The trade-off is that banks close early and are not open on weekends.

Key Takeaways

• Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart all cash checks without requiring an account, though fees and hours vary by location.
• Grocery stores and Walmart charge nothing if you buy something at the same time, making them free if you were going to shop anyway.
• Check-cashing stores stay open later and on weekends but charge a percentage fee that can add up on large checks.
• Banks and credit unions cash checks for non-customers but usually charge a flat fee and have shorter hours than retail locations.
• You will need a valid ID and the check must be made out to you or signed over to you by the person it was made out to.

Check-cashing stores: fees, hours, and what to bring

A check-cashing store is a business that cashes checks for a fee. They are common in neighborhoods where many people do not have bank accounts. The fee is usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount — so on a $500 check, you might pay $5 to $15. Some stores charge a flat fee instead, like $3 per check, which is better for large checks but worse for small ones.

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks: many stay open until 7 or 8 p.m. on weekdays and are open on Saturday mornings or afternoons. A few are open on Sunday. Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and the check itself. The check must have your name on it, or it must be signed over to you by the person it was made out to. Some stores will not cash a check that has been signed over, so call ahead if that is your situation.

To find a check-cashing store near you, search "check cashing near me" in Google Maps or ask at a local grocery store or laundromat — staff there often know which stores are in the area. Common chains include ACE Cash Express, Check Into Cash, and Money Mart, but independent stores are also common.

Grocery stores and Walmart: free or low-cost cashing

Most grocery stores with a customer service desk will cash checks for free if you buy something at the same time. Walmart cashes checks at the money center (usually near the front of the store) for a flat fee of around $3 to $4, or free if you make a purchase. Target, Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods all offer check cashing at their service desks, though policies vary by location.

The advantage is that there is no percentage fee — you pay a flat amount or nothing. The disadvantage is that these places close earlier than check-cashing stores (usually by 9 or 10 p.m.) and many are not open on Sunday. Call ahead to confirm your local store cashes checks and what their fee is, because policies can differ between locations.

Bring your valid photo ID and the check. The check must be made out to you. Some grocery stores will not cash checks signed over to you, so ask before you hand over the check.

Banks and credit unions: no fee for customers, fee for non-customers

Any bank or credit union will cash a check made out to you, even if you do not have an account there. If you are a customer, there is no fee. If you are not a customer, the bank usually charges $5 to $10 per check. Some banks waive the fee if the check is drawn on that same bank (meaning it was written from an account at that bank).

The downside is hours: most banks close by 5 or 6 p.m. on weekdays and are closed on weekends. A few banks have Saturday hours, and some credit unions stay open slightly later, but you cannot count on it. Call the bank's customer service line or check their website for hours before you go.

Bring your valid photo ID and the check. The check must be made out to you or signed over to you by the original payee. Some banks will not accept signed-over checks from non-customers.

Online banks and mobile check deposit: when you have a bank account

If you have a checking account at an online bank or a traditional bank with a mobile app, you can deposit a check using your phone. You photograph the front and back of the check, and the bank deposits it into your account. This takes a few minutes and costs nothing. The money usually shows up in your account within one to three business days.

This only works if you already have a bank account. If you do not, you will need to use one of the other methods above. If you have an account but forgot your debit card or do not want to wait for the check to clear, you can still go to a check-cashing store or grocery store for when ready cash.

What you need to bring and what can go wrong

Every place that cashes checks requires a valid photo ID. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Some places also accept a tribal ID or a foreign passport. If you do not have a photo ID, most check-cashing stores will not cash the check, though a few may accept other forms of ID — call ahead to ask.

The check must be made out to you. If it is made out to someone else, that person must sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. This is called a third-party check or a signed-over check. Many places will not cash these because they are riskier — the original payee could claim the check was stolen. If you need to cash a signed-over check, call ahead to confirm the place will take it.

The check must not be post-dated (dated in the future). It also should not be stale-dated — most places will not cash a check that is more than 180 days old, though some banks will go up to one year. If your check is old, call the person or business that issued it and ask for a new one.

Comparing fees and hours across your options

Location	Fee	Typical Hours	Best For
Check-cashing store	1–3% of check amount or flat $3–$5	Until 7–8 p.m., some open Saturday	Evening or weekend cashing
Grocery store	Free with purchase, or $3–$5 alone	Until 9–10 p.m., usually closed Sunday	Free cashing if you shop there
Walmart	$3–$4 or free with purchase	Until 10–11 p.m., some open Sunday	Late-night cashing
Bank (non-customer)	$5–$10	Until 5–6 p.m., closed weekends	If check is from that bank
Credit union (non-member)	$5–$10	Until 5–6 p.m., closed weekends	If you are a member elsewhere

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check if it is made out to my business?

No, not at most places. The check must be made out to you personally. If you have a business checking account, you can deposit it there. If you do not, ask the business that issued the check to issue a new one in your personal name instead.

What if the check is for more than $5,000?

Check-cashing stores and banks can cash large checks, but they may ask more questions or require additional ID. Some stores have daily limits — they will not cash a check for more than a certain amount in one day. Call ahead to ask about limits before you go.

Can I cash a check without a photo ID?

Most places will not cash a check without a photo ID. Some check-cashing stores may accept other forms of ID like a passport card or tribal ID. Call ahead to ask what they accept. If you do not have any ID, you will need to get one before you can cash a check.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At a check-cashing store, grocery store, or Walmart, cashing a check usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. At a bank, it may take longer if the line is busy. Mobile check deposit through a bank app takes a few minutes but the money does not show up in your account until the next business day or later.

What if I lost my check or it was damaged?

Contact the person or business that issued the check and ask them to issue a replacement. They can usually do this quickly. Bring the replacement to any of the places listed above to cash it.