Where to Cash a Personal Check Without a Bank Account

Places that cash personal checks

You can cash a personal check at a bank, credit union, check-cashing store, grocery store, or Walmart. The place you choose depends on whether you have an account there, how much the check is for, and what fees you want to pay. Some places cash checks for free if you bank with them; others charge a percentage of the check amount or a flat fee.

The fastest option is usually a bank or credit union where the check is drawn from — that is, the bank name printed on the check. They will cash it on the spot without requiring you to have an account. Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks during their regular hours, though some have daily or per-check limits. Check-cashing stores are open longer hours and on weekends but typically charge the highest fees.

Before you go, call ahead to confirm the place accepts personal checks, what ID they need, and whether they have a limit on check size. Some locations will not cash checks over a certain amount, and some require a second form of ID beyond a driver's license.

Key Takeaways

• Banks and credit unions that issued the check will cash it for free without requiring an account, and this is usually the fastest option.
• Grocery stores and Walmart cash personal checks during business hours but may charge a fee and often have limits on check size.
• Check-cashing stores stay open longer and on weekends but charge higher fees, typically a percentage of the check amount.
• You will need a valid government-issued ID at any location, and some require a second form of ID or proof of address.
• Calling ahead to confirm hours, fees, and check limits saves you a trip if a location cannot cash your check.

Banks and credit unions

The bank or credit union that issued the check — the name printed at the top — will cash it for free even if you do not have an account there. Bring the check and a valid government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. The teller will verify the check is not post-dated (dated in the future) and that the signature on the check matches your ID.

If you have an account at that bank or credit union, cashing is when ready and free. If you do not have an account, the process is the same, but some banks may ask a few extra questions to confirm you are the person named on the check. Large checks — typically over $5,000 — may require the bank to call the account holder to verify the check is real, which can add a few minutes.

Credit unions sometimes have stricter rules than banks about cashing checks for non-members. Call your local branch first if you are not sure whether they will cash it without an account.

Grocery stores and pharmacy chains

Most large grocery chains including Safeway, Kroger, Albertsons, and Whole Foods cash personal checks at the customer service desk during store hours. Pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens also offer this service. You will need a valid ID, and many stores require a second form of ID such as a utility bill or credit card to match your address.

Grocery stores typically charge a small fee per check, ranging from $0 to $3 depending on the store and the check amount. Many stores have a daily limit on how many checks you can cash and a per-check limit, often $1,000 to $2,500. Call your local store to confirm their specific limits and fees before you go.

Hours are limited to when the store is open, so this option works best during daytime or early evening. If you need to cash a check outside store hours, a check-cashing store or bank ATM may be your only option.

Walmart and Sam's Club

Walmart cashes personal checks at the money center or customer service desk in most locations. You will need a valid government-issued ID. Walmart charges a flat fee per check, typically $3 to $6 depending on the check amount, and has a per-check limit of $5,000. Some Walmart locations have lower limits, so call ahead to confirm.

Sam's Club also cashes personal checks but only for members. If you have a Sam's Club membership, bring your membership card and ID to the member services desk. The fee and limits are similar to Walmart's.

Both locations are open during extended hours, often until 10 or 11 p.m., making them a good option if you cannot reach a bank during business hours. Walmart locations are more widespread than banks in many areas, so you may have one closer to you.

Check-cashing stores

Check-cashing stores specialize in cashing checks for people without bank accounts or who need cash outside normal banking hours. They are open late into the evening and on weekends, often 7 days a week. You will need a valid government-issued ID and sometimes a second form of ID.

The trade-off is cost. Check-cashing stores typically charge a percentage of the check amount — often 1% to 3% — or a flat fee, whichever is higher. On a $500 check, you might pay $5 to $15. On a $1,000 check, the fee could be $10 to $30. Some stores charge more for personal checks than for payroll checks.

Check-cashing stores do not have the same size limits as grocery stores or Walmart, so they can cash larger checks. However, they may require you to provide the phone number of the person who wrote the check so they can verify it is real. This verification can take a few minutes to an hour depending on whether the account holder answers.

Online banks and mobile check deposit

If you have a bank account with an online bank or a traditional bank that offers mobile check deposit, you can photograph the front and back of the check using your phone and deposit it without visiting a branch. Banks like Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and most credit unions offer this service to account holders.

The check funds are usually held for one to three business days before you can withdraw them. This option does not give you cash when ready, but it avoids fees and is the most convenient if you have an account. Some banks limit the amount you can deposit per day or per month through mobile deposit, typically $2,000 to $10,000 per day.

If you do not have a bank account, online banks are not an option for cashing a check. However, some online banks have no monthly fees and low minimum deposits, so opening an account might be worth it if you receive checks regularly.

What to bring and what to expect

At any location, bring the check and a valid government-issued ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Some places require a second form of ID, such as a utility bill, credit card statement, or insurance card with your address on it. Call ahead to confirm what the specific location needs.

The person cashing the check will look at the date to make sure it is not post-dated (dated in the future) or stale-dated (more than six months old). They will check that the signature on the check matches your ID and that the amount written in words matches the amount in numbers. If anything does not match, they will refuse to cash it.

The entire process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes if you have the right ID and the check is legitimate. If the check is large or the account holder needs to verify it, it may take longer. Once the check is cashed, you receive cash on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check that is not in my name?

No. A personal check must be cashed by the person whose name is on it. If someone else wrote you a check, they must sign the back and you must sign below their signature in a process called endorsement, but most places will not cash a check with two signatures. 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 or more than six months old?

A post-dated check (dated in the future) cannot be cashed until that date arrives. A stale-dated check (more than six months old) may be refused by most places, though some banks will cash it if the account holder confirms it is still good. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write a new one.

Do I need a bank account to cash a personal check?

No. You can cash a personal check at the bank or credit union that issued it, at a grocery store, Walmart, or a check-cashing store without having an account anywhere. You only need a valid government-issued ID.

What is the cheapest way to cash a personal check?

The cheapest way is to cash it at the bank or credit union that issued the check — it is free. If you do not have access to that bank, grocery stores and Walmart typically charge $0 to $6 per check. Check-cashing stores charge the most, usually 1% to 3% of the check amount.

Can I cash a check at an ATM?

Most ATMs do not accept checks. Some banks allow account holders to deposit checks at ATMs, but this deposits the check into your account rather than giving you cash when ready. A few banks have special ATMs that dispense cash for checks, but this is rare. Your best option is to visit a teller at a bank branch or use one of the other methods listed above.