Where to Cash a Check Without a Bank Account

The most common places to cash a check are check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart — each charges a fee and requires ID, but none require a bank account.

You do not need a bank account to turn a check into cash. The person or business who wrote the check has already authorized the money to move, so any place licensed to handle checks can cash it for you. The trade-off is a fee — usually between $2 and $10 depending on the check amount and where you go — and you will need a government-issued ID.

The fastest option is usually the place closest to you that you already visit. A grocery store or Walmart can often cash a check in under five minutes. Check-cashing stores are open longer hours and on weekends, but charge higher fees. Banks will cash checks from non-customers, though some charge a fee and some do not.

Key Takeaways

• Grocery stores, Walmart, and Target cash checks for lower fees ($2 to $5) than dedicated check-cashing stores ($5 to $10), but only during store hours.
• Check-cashing stores stay open evenings and weekends and do not require a bank account, but charge the highest fees and may ask more questions about the check.
• Your own bank will cash any check for free if you have an account, and many banks cash checks for non-customers at no charge.
• You will need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) at any location.
• The check must be signed by you and made out to you — if it is made out to someone else, that person must sign it and be present with their ID.

Grocery stores and big-box retailers

Walmart, Target, Kroger, Safeway, and most other large grocery chains cash checks at the customer service desk or money center. The fee is typically $2 to $5 per check, and the transaction takes a few minutes. You need a government-issued photo ID and the check must be signed and made out to you.

These locations have set hours — usually the store's operating hours — so you cannot cash a check at 11 p.m. unless the store is open that late. Some stores have limits on the check amount (often $1,000 or $2,500) or will not cash certain types of checks, such as post-dated checks or checks from out-of-state banks. Call ahead if you are unsure whether the store will cash your specific check.

Check-cashing stores

Dedicated check-cashing businesses (sometimes called payday loan stores or currency exchanges) are designed for people without bank accounts. They cash checks, sell money orders, and offer short-term loans. The fee for cashing a check is usually $5 to $10 depending on the check amount, and they are often open until 8 or 9 p.m. and on Saturdays.

Check-cashing stores may ask more questions than a grocery store — where you work, why you do not have a bank account, or details about the check — because they take on more risk. They may also require you to provide a thumbprint or additional ID. The trade-off for the higher fee and extra steps is convenience: they are built for this service and rarely turn checks away.

Your bank or another bank

If you have a bank account, your bank will cash any check for free, even if it is from a different bank. If you do not have an account, many banks will still cash checks for non-customers, though some charge a $5 to $10 fee and some do not. Call your local bank branch to ask their policy before you go in.

Banks are usually open Monday through Friday during business hours, with limited Saturday hours. You will need a government-issued photo ID. If the check is very large (over $5,000 or $10,000, depending on the bank), the bank may ask you to wait while they verify the funds, which can take a day or two.

Credit unions

Credit unions operate similarly to banks: if you are a member, they cash checks for free. If you are not a member, some credit unions will cash checks for non-members for a small fee, while others will not. The advantage of a credit union is that they often have lower fees than check-cashing stores and may be more willing to work with you if you are considering opening an account.

To find a credit union near you, search the CO-OP Network or Alliant Credit Union's shared branch locator online. Call ahead to confirm they cash checks for non-members and what their fee is.

Online banks and mobile payment apps

If you have a smartphone, you may be able to deposit a check using your bank's mobile app or a payment app like PayPal, Square Cash, or Venmo. You photograph the front and back of the check, and the money appears in your account within one to three business days. This is free and requires no ID check at the moment of deposit.

The catch is that you need a bank account or payment app account to receive the money. Once the money is in your account, you can withdraw it at an ATM or use a debit card. If you do not have a bank account, this route does not work unless you open one first.

What to bring and what to expect

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID. The check must be signed on the back by you (the person it is made out to) and must have your name on it. Some places will ask to see your ID number or write it on the check.

If the check is made out to two people (for example, "John Smith and Jane Doe"), both people must be present with ID and both must sign the back. If the check is made out to someone else and they want to give it to you, that person must sign the back and be present — you cannot cash a check made out to someone else without them there.

Post-dated checks (checks dated in the future) are usually not cashed until that date arrives. Checks that are more than six months old may be refused. If the check is damaged, torn, or hard to read, some places will refuse it.

Comparing fees and hours

Location	Typical Fee	Hours	Requires Account
Grocery store or Walmart	$2–$5	Store hours (usually 7 a.m.–10 p.m.)	No
Check-cashing store	$5–$10	Often 8 a.m.–9 p.m., including weekends	No
Bank (non-customer)	$0–$10	Business hours, limited Saturday	No
Your own bank	Free	Business hours, limited Saturday	Yes
Credit union (non-member)	$0–$5	Business hours, limited Saturday	No

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not at a grocery store or Walmart — those locations cash personal checks only. A check-cashing store or bank may cash a business check if you can show that you own or are authorized to represent the business. Bring your ID and any business documentation you have.

What if I lost my ID?

You will not be able to cash a check without a government-issued photo ID. You can get a state ID card from your state's DMV or motor vehicle department even if you do not drive. The process takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your state.

Can someone else cash my check for me?

Only if you sign the back of the check and they bring it to a check-cashing store or bank. You cannot sign the back and have someone else cash it at a grocery store — those locations require the person cashing the check to be the person named on the front. The person cashing it will need their own ID.

What happens if the check bounces?

If the check is returned unpaid, the place that cashed it will usually charge you a fee ($15 to $30) and may ask you to repay the check amount. This is rare at banks and grocery stores but more common at check-cashing stores. Ask the cashing location what their policy is before you leave.

Is it cheaper to open a bank account than to keep paying check-cashing fees?

If you cash more than a few checks per month, a free checking account will save you money. Many banks and credit unions offer accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. You can open an account online in minutes and start depositing checks through your phone.