Where to Cash a Handwritten Check

Banks and credit unions will cash handwritten checks if you have an account with them

Your own bank or credit union is the fastest and cheapest place to cash a handwritten check. If you have a checking or savings account there, you can walk in during business hours, hand the teller the check and your ID, and walk out with cash — usually the same day, sometimes when ready. There is no fee for account holders at most institutions.

If the check is drawn on a different bank (for example, your friend's check from Bank of America and you bank at Chase), your bank will still cash it, but it may take one to three business days to clear. Some banks hold the funds longer if the check amount is large or if you are a new account holder. Ask the teller how long the hold will be before you hand over the check.

Credit unions work the same way. If you are a member, you can cash handwritten checks from any source at your branch. Some credit unions are part of shared branching networks, meaning you can cash checks at other credit unions in the network even if you do not have an account there — but you will need to be a member of a participating credit union to use this service.

Key Takeaways

• Your own bank or credit union will cash a handwritten check for free if you have an account there, usually on the same day.
• Checks drawn on other banks may take one to three business days to clear, and some banks hold the funds longer for large amounts.
• Check-cashing stores and grocery stores will cash handwritten checks without an account, but charge a fee that ranges by location and check amount.
• Walmart, Target, and some pharmacies cash handwritten checks for a flat fee, typically $3 to $6 depending on the store and check size.
• Bring a government-issued photo ID to any location — no business will cash a check without one.

Check-cashing stores charge a fee but do not require an account

Check-cashing stores exist specifically to cash checks for people without bank accounts or who need cash when ready. They will cash handwritten checks on the spot, usually within minutes. The trade-off is a fee, which varies by location and the amount of the check.

Fees at dedicated check-cashing stores typically range from 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, though some charge a flat fee instead. A $500 check might cost $5 to $15 to cash, depending on the store and your state. Some states cap the fee by law, so the cost in your area may be lower than in others. Call ahead or ask at the counter before you hand over the check.

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks — many stay open until 8 or 9 p.m. and some are open on Sundays. If you need cash outside normal banking hours, this is often your only option besides an ATM at your own bank.

Grocery stores and pharmacies cash checks at the customer service desk

Many grocery stores and pharmacy chains will cash handwritten checks at their customer service desk or front register. Stores like Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, CVS, and Walgreens all offer this service. The fee is usually lower than a dedicated check-cashing store — typically $2 to $5 per check, though some stores do not charge a fee at all if you are a loyalty program member.

The catch is that most grocery stores and pharmacies will only cash checks up to a certain amount, often $200 to $500. If your check is larger, they will turn you away. Call the store ahead of time to confirm their limit and whether they charge a fee.

Hours are usually the same as the store itself, so you can often cash a check while you are shopping. Bring your ID — they will ask for it before cashing the check.

Walmart and Target cash handwritten checks for a flat fee

Walmart and Target both cash handwritten checks at the customer service desk. Walmart charges a flat fee of $3 for checks up to $1,000 and $6 for checks over $1,000. Target charges $2 to $3 depending on the check amount. Both stores are open early and close late, making them convenient if you cannot get to a bank during business hours.

Like grocery stores, Walmart and Target have limits on check size. Walmart will not cash checks over $5,000. Target's limit varies by location, so call ahead if your check is large. Both require a government-issued photo ID.

Online banks and payment apps have limits on cashing handwritten checks

If you bank with an online-only bank like Chime, Ally, or Charles Schwab, you cannot walk into a branch because they do not have physical locations. However, many online banks let you deposit handwritten checks by taking a photo of the front and back with your phone. The check clears in one to three business days, and you get the money in your account rather than as cash.

This works well if you do not need cash when ready and are willing to wait for the check to clear. If you need cash the same day, you can withdraw from an ATM once the check posts, though some online banks charge ATM fees.

Payment apps like PayPal, Square Cash, and Venmo do not accept handwritten checks at all. They only work with digital transfers between accounts. If you use one of these apps, you will need to deposit the check into a bank account first, then transfer the money through the app.

What to bring and what to expect at any location

No matter where you go to cash a handwritten check, you will need a government-issued photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card all work. Some places may ask for a second form of ID if the check is large or if you are unfamiliar to them.

The person cashing the check will look at the amount, the date, and the signature to make sure everything matches. They will also check that the check is not post-dated (dated in the future) — most places will not cash a post-dated check. If the check is damaged, torn, or hard to read, they may refuse it.

Bring the check and your ID. You do not need anything else. If you are cashing a check at a store, you can do it while you shop. If you are going to a bank or check-cashing store specifically to cash the check, plan for a short wait, especially during lunch hours or on Fridays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a handwritten check if it is not made out to me?

No. A check must be made out to your name to cash it. If someone gives you a check made out to someone else, that person must endorse it to you by signing the back and writing "Pay to the order of [your name]." Even then, many banks and check-cashing stores will refuse it. The safest option is to ask the person who wrote the check to write a new one in your name.

What if the check is post-dated?

A post-dated check is dated in the future — for example, dated next month. Most banks and check-cashing stores will not cash it before that date. You will have to wait until the date on the check arrives, then return to cash it. Some places may refuse to cash it even on the correct date if it looks suspicious.

Can I cash a handwritten check without an ID?

No. Every bank, check-cashing store, and retail location that cashes checks requires a government-issued photo ID. This is a federal requirement to prevent fraud and money laundering. If you do not have an ID, you cannot cash a check anywhere.

How long does it take for a handwritten check to clear?

If you cash the check in person at a bank or store, you get the money when ready. If you deposit it into an account by mail or mobile app, it typically takes one to three business days. Some banks hold the funds longer — ask your bank about their specific hold times.

What is the cheapest way to cash a handwritten check?

Your own bank or credit union is free if you have an account. If you do not have an account, a grocery store or pharmacy is usually cheapest at $2 to $5 per check. Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount, which is more expensive for large checks but may be cheaper for small ones.