Where to Cash a Check Without a Bank Account

Your main options for cashing a check

You can cash a check at a bank, credit union, grocery store, check-cashing store, or Walmart. The fastest and cheapest route depends on whether you have an account somewhere and how much the check is for. Banks and credit unions cash checks for free if you're a customer, but some will cash a check from a non-customer for a small fee. Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks as part of their services, usually for a flat fee of $3 to $5. Check-cashing stores charge higher fees — often 1% to 3% of the check amount — but they're open longer hours and have fewer restrictions on the types of checks they'll take.

The check itself needs to be made out to you by name, signed by the person or business issuing it, and dated within the last 180 days. Most places will ask for a photo ID. Some will also ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint. If the check is damaged, torn, or the signature looks forged, the place cashing it may refuse it.

Key Takeaways

• Banks and credit unions cash checks for free if you have an account with them, and some will cash checks from non-customers for a fee of $5 to $10.
• Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks for a flat fee of $3 to $5, and you don't need an account or to be a regular customer.
• Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount (usually 1% to 3%) and are open longer hours than banks, but cost more overall.
• You'll need a photo ID and the check must be signed, dated within 180 days, and made out to you by name.
• Some checks — like post-dated checks, third-party checks, or checks with alterations — may be refused by any of these places.

Cashing a check at a bank or credit union

If you have an account at a bank or credit union, you can walk in and cash a check at the teller window for free. You'll need your photo ID. The teller will verify the check is signed and the amount matches what's written out in words, then hand you cash or ask if you want some of it deposited to your account.

If you don't have an account at that bank or credit union, many will still cash a check for you — but they'll charge a fee. The fee varies by institution, usually between $5 and $10 for a personal check. Some banks have higher fees for larger checks or will refuse to cash checks from non-customers altogether. Call ahead or ask at the teller window before you wait in line.

Banks are generally open Monday through Friday during business hours, and some branches open on Saturday mornings. If you need to cash a check outside those hours, a bank is not your option.

Cashing a check at a grocery store or Walmart

Most large grocery store chains — including Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and others — have check-cashing services at the customer service desk. Walmart also cashes checks. The fee is usually a flat $3 to $5 per check, regardless of the amount. You'll need a photo ID, and you don't need to have a bank account or be a regular customer.

The main limitation is the check amount. Grocery stores and Walmart typically have a maximum check size they'll cash — often $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the store. If your check is larger than that, they'll refuse it. Call your local store to ask what their limit is before you go.

These places are usually open longer than banks — often until 10 p.m. or later — and many are open on Sundays. If you need to cash a check outside normal banking hours, a grocery store or Walmart is often your fastest option.

Cashing a check at a check-cashing store

Check-cashing stores are businesses that cash checks as their primary service. They charge a percentage of the check amount — typically 1% to 3% — so a $500 check might cost $5 to $15 to cash. They accept more types of checks than banks or grocery stores do, including some post-dated checks and payroll checks from employers they recognize.

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks, often until 7 or 8 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays. Some are open on Sundays. You'll need a photo ID, and some also ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint. You don't need an account or to be a regular customer.

The downside is cost. On a $1,000 check, a 2% fee means you pay $20 to cash it — much more than the $3 to $5 you'd pay at a grocery store. If you have other options, compare the fee before you go to a check-cashing store.

What types of checks can be cashed and what can't

A personal check or payroll check made out to you by name can be cashed at any of these places, as long as it's signed and dated within the last 180 days. A check from a business, government agency, or insurance company can also be cashed — these are treated the same way as a personal check.

A post-dated check — one dated in the future — can technically be cashed at a check-cashing store, but banks and grocery stores will usually refuse it. A third-party check — one made out to someone else and signed over to you — is refused by most places now, including banks. A check with the amount changed, the signature altered, or the name crossed out and rewritten will be refused. A check that's torn, water-damaged, or illegible may also be refused.

If a check is refused, ask why. The person cashing it will tell you whether the problem is with the check itself (in which case you need to contact the person who issued it) or with their store's policy (in which case you can try another location).

Fees and what to expect at each location

Location	Fee for customers	Fee for non-customers	Hours	Check limit
Bank or credit union	Free	$5–$10	Weekdays 9 a.m.–5 p.m., some Saturdays	Usually none
Grocery store or Walmart	$3–$5	$3–$5	Often until 10 p.m., some Sundays	$1,000–$2,500
Check-cashing store	1–3% of check amount	1–3% of check amount	Often until 7–8 p.m., some Sundays	Varies by store

What to bring and what happens when you arrive

Bring the check and a photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport works. Some places ask for a second form of ID — a utility bill, credit card, or library card. Have the check already signed by the person who issued it; you should not sign the back of the check yourself unless the teller or cashier asks you to.

When you arrive, go to the teller window (at a bank), the customer service desk (at a grocery store or Walmart), or the counter (at a check-cashing store). Hand over the check and your ID. The cashier will look at the check to make sure it's signed and the amount is clear, then ask you how you want the money — all cash, or some cash and some deposited to an account if you have one. They'll count out your cash and you're done. The whole process usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check if it's made out to two people?

Usually not. Most banks, grocery stores, and check-cashing stores require that a check be made out to one person or that both people named on the check be present with ID to cash it. If two names are on the check and only one of you wants the money, contact the person who issued the check and ask them to issue a new one in a single name.

What if the check is damaged or hard to read?

If the check is torn, faded, or water-damaged but still readable, some places will cash it and some won't. Try a bank or grocery store first — if they refuse, a check-cashing store may accept it. If the amount or the signature is illegible, the check cannot be cashed; you'll need to contact the issuer and ask for a replacement.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At a bank, grocery store, or Walmart, cashing a check takes 5 to 10 minutes. At a check-cashing store, it may take slightly longer if they're busy. You get the cash when ready — there's no waiting period.

Can I cash a check if I don't have a bank account?

Yes. Grocery stores, Walmart, and check-cashing stores all cash checks without requiring you to have an account. You'll pay a fee, but you don't need to open an account or provide any banking information.

What's the difference between cashing a check and depositing it?

Cashing a check means you receive the money in cash when ready. Depositing a check means the money goes into your bank account, and you can withdraw it later or use it to pay bills. If you have a bank account, depositing is usually free, while cashing may have a fee.