Where to Cash Your Check: Your Main Options

The fastest places to cash a check

Your bank or credit union will cash your check for free if you have an account there. Walk in during business hours with your check and a photo ID, and you'll have cash in minutes. If you don't have an account, you can still cash a check at the bank or credit union that issued it — the one printed on the check itself — though some charge a fee for non-members.

If you need cash outside of banking hours, a grocery store, pharmacy, or convenience store often has check-cashing services at the customer service desk. Walmart, Target, and most supermarket chains cash checks for a flat fee, usually between $2 and $5 depending on the check amount. These places typically cash checks during their regular store hours, which often extend into the evening.

Check-cashing stores are dedicated businesses that cash checks for a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 3 percent. They're open longer hours than banks and don't require an account, but the fee adds up quickly on larger checks. Use them only when other options aren't available.

Key Takeaways

• Your own bank or credit union cashes checks for free and takes just a few minutes.
• The bank that issued the check will cash it even if you don't have an account, though they may charge a non-member fee.
• Grocery stores and pharmacies cash checks during their regular hours for a flat fee of $2 to $5.
• Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount and should be your last resort because the fee is highest.

Cashing a check at your bank or credit union

This is the cheapest and fastest option. Bring your check and a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card — to any branch of your bank or credit union. The teller will verify the check and hand you cash. The whole process takes 5 to 10 minutes. There is no fee.

If you have a savings account but not a checking account, you can still cash a check at your bank. Some banks will deposit the check into your account instead of giving you cash on the spot, which takes one to two business days. Ask the teller if you need the cash when ready.

If your bank branch is closed, you can sometimes use an ATM to deposit the check and withdraw cash the next business day. This depends on your bank's policies and the amount. Call your bank's customer service number to ask whether this option is available to you.

Cashing a check at the issuing bank

The bank name printed on the check is the issuing bank — the bank where the person or business who wrote the check holds their account. You can walk into any branch of that bank and cash the check even if you don't have an account there. Bring your photo ID and the check.

Many issuing banks charge a non-member fee for this service, usually $5 to $10. Some banks waive the fee if the check is drawn on an account at that bank. Call the bank's main number before you go, or ask the teller when you arrive — the fee varies by branch and by the size of the check.

This option works well if you're in a hurry and your own bank isn't nearby. It's also useful if you don't have a bank account at all.

Using grocery stores and pharmacies

Most major grocery chains — Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, Whole Foods — cash checks at the customer service desk. Walmart and Target also offer check cashing. The fee is usually a flat $2 to $5 per check, regardless of the amount. You'll need a photo ID.

These places are convenient because they're often open until 10 p.m. or later, and many are open on Sundays. The process is quick — usually under 5 minutes. However, they may have limits on the check amount, typically $1,000 to $5,000. Ask at the customer service desk what their limit is.

Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens also cash checks, though not all locations do. Call ahead to confirm your local store offers this service. The fee and limits are similar to grocery stores.

Check-cashing stores and what they cost

A check-cashing store is a business that specializes in cashing checks for people without bank accounts or those who need cash outside of banking hours. They charge a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 3 percent — rather than a flat fee. On a $500 check, that's $5 to $15. On a $1,000 check, it's $10 to $30.

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks, often until 8 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays. They don't require a bank account or a credit check. However, the percentage fee makes them expensive, especially for large checks. Use them only if your bank is closed, you don't have a bank account, and no grocery store or pharmacy is nearby.

Some check-cashing stores also offer other services like money transfers, bill payment, or payday loans. These services often come with high fees and should be avoided if possible.

What you need to bring

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 may accept a tribal ID or a passport card. If your ID is expired, call ahead to ask whether the place will still accept it — policies vary.

You'll also need the check itself. Make sure the check is signed by the person who wrote it. If the check is made out to you, your name must match the name on your ID. If the check is made out to someone else, you generally cannot cash it unless that person has signed it over to you on the back — and even then, many places won't accept a third-party check.

Some places ask for a second form of ID or a phone number. Have your phone number ready just in case.

When you can't cash a check right away

If you don't have time to visit a bank or store, you can deposit the check into your bank account using mobile deposit. Most banks let you photograph the front and back of the check using their mobile app, and the money appears in your account within one to two business days. You can then withdraw the cash at an ATM or at a branch.

Mobile deposit is free and works 24 hours a day. However, there are limits on how much you can deposit per day — usually $2,000 to $5,000 — and the money isn't available when ready. Use this option if you can wait a day or two for the cash.

If you need the cash today and can't get to a bank or store, a check-cashing store or payday lender are your only options, but both charge high fees. Avoid payday loans if possible — they charge interest rates that can exceed 400 percent annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check that's made out to someone else?

Not usually. If the check is made out to another person, they must sign the back of the check and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" before you can cash it. Even then, many banks and stores won't accept a third-party check because of fraud risk. Your safest option is to ask the original recipient to cash it themselves and give you the cash.

What if my check is damaged or torn?

Most banks will still cash a damaged check as long as the key information is readable: the amount, the date, the account number, and the signature. If the check is severely damaged, the bank may ask you to contact the person who wrote it and request a replacement check. Call your bank first to ask whether they'll accept it.

Can I cash a check without a photo ID?

No. Every bank, store, and check-cashing place requires a photo ID to prevent fraud. If you don't have one, you'll need to get a state ID card from your local DMV or equivalent agency. This process takes a few weeks. In the meantime, you can deposit the check into a bank account if you have one.

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

When you cash a check, the money is yours when ready — you walk out with cash. The check itself clears from the account it was drawn on within one to three business days. This doesn't affect you as the person cashing the check, but it matters to the person who wrote it.

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

Cashing a check means you receive cash on the spot. Depositing a check means the money goes into your bank account, and you can withdraw it later. Depositing is free and takes one to two business days. Cashing is when ready but may have a fee if you use a check-cashing store or a non-member bank.