Where to Cash a Check: Your Options and What Each Costs

Where you can cash a check

You can cash a check at your own bank, a check-cashing store, a grocery store, Walmart, or sometimes at the issuing bank even if you don't have an account there. The fastest and cheapest option is almost always your own bank — no fee, and it takes seconds. If you don't have a bank account, a check-cashing store will do it but will charge you a percentage of the check amount, usually between 1 and 5 percent depending on the check size and the store's location.

The place you choose affects how much you pay and how long it takes. A $500 check cashed at your bank costs nothing. The same check at a check-cashing store might cost $5 to $25. Grocery stores and Walmart typically charge a flat fee — often $3 to $6 — rather than a percentage, which makes them cheaper for larger checks but more expensive for small ones.

Key Takeaways

• Your own bank cashes checks for free and is the fastest option if you have an account there.
• Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount, ranging from 1 to 5 percent depending on the check size and location.
• Grocery stores and Walmart charge a flat fee per check, usually $3 to $6, making them cheaper for checks over $100.
• The issuing bank may cash a check for free even if you don't have an account, but you will need to show ID and the check must be from that bank.
• Online banks and credit unions may charge fees or require you to deposit the check rather than cash it on the spot.

Cashing at your own bank

If you have a checking or savings account, your bank will cash the check for free during business hours. You walk in with the check and your ID, and the teller gives you cash. There is no fee, no waiting period, and no limit on the check amount — though very large checks may require a manager's approval.

If you bank online only, you may not have a physical branch to visit. Some online banks will let you deposit the check through their mobile app instead, which takes one to two business days to clear. Others require you to mail the check in. Neither option gives you cash on the spot, so if you need cash when ready, an online-only bank is not the right choice.

Check-cashing stores

A check-cashing store will cash a check whether or not you have a bank account. You bring the check and a photo ID, and they give you cash minus their fee. The fee is usually a percentage of the check amount — typically 1 to 5 percent — though some stores charge a flat fee instead. A $200 check might cost $4 to $10 to cash, depending on the store and your location.

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks, often until 8 or 9 p.m. and on Saturdays. The trade-off is the fee. If you cash checks regularly, these fees add up quickly. Some stores offer a discount if you cash checks there often, so it is worth asking. You will need a valid photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or passport — and the check must be signed and made out to you.

Grocery stores and Walmart

Walmart and most grocery store chains (Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and others) will cash checks at the customer service desk. They charge a flat fee per check, usually $3 to $6, rather than a percentage. This makes them cheaper than check-cashing stores for checks over $100 but more expensive for small checks.

The process is quick — you hand the check and your ID to the customer service desk, and they give you cash. Hours are usually the same as the store, so you can cash a check while you shop. Some stores limit the amount they will cash in a single check, often $5,000 or less, so if your check is very large, call ahead. Not all locations cash checks, so confirm with your local store before you go.

The issuing bank

If the check is from a bank and you don't have an account there, you can still cash it at that bank for free. Walk into any branch of the bank that issued the check with the check and a valid photo ID. The teller will verify the check and give you cash. This works even if you have never done business with that bank.

The catch is that you must go to a branch of the actual bank that issued the check. If the check is from a regional bank and you live far away, this may not be practical. Also, some banks have started charging non-customers a fee to cash checks, so call ahead or ask the teller before they process it. Most large banks still do it for free, but policies vary.

Credit unions

If you are a member of a credit union, you can cash checks there for free, just like at a bank. If you are not a member, some credit unions will cash checks for a small fee, usually $2 to $5, but policies vary widely. Call your local credit union to ask whether they cash checks for non-members and what the fee is.

Credit unions are often open fewer hours than banks and check-cashing stores, so this option works best if you are already a member and can visit during their business hours. Some credit unions are part of shared branching networks, which means you can visit a different credit union and use their services, so if you belong to one credit union, you may be able to cash a check at another.

What you need to bring

All check-cashing locations require a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport will work. Some places accept a military ID or tribal ID as well. The check must be signed by the person who wrote it and made out to you by name — if it is made out to someone else, you cannot cash it unless that person signs it over to you, and even then, many places will not accept a third-party check.

Some check-cashing stores and banks may ask for a second form of ID or a thumbprint for large checks. If you are cashing a check at a bank where you don't have an account, bring your ID and be ready to answer basic questions about the check — where it came from, what it is for. This is routine and takes less than a minute.

Fees and costs compared

Location	Fee Type	Cost Example ($200 check)	Speed
Your own bank	None	$0	when ready
Check-cashing store	1–5% of check amount	$2–$10	when ready
Walmart or grocery store	Flat fee	$3–$6	when ready
Issuing bank (non-customer)	None to $5	$0–$5	when ready
Your credit union	None	$0	when ready

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check made out to someone else?

Not directly. If the check is made out to another person, they must sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" above their signature. This is called a third-party check. Many banks and check-cashing stores will not accept third-party checks because of fraud risk, so even if the person signs it over, you may be turned away. Your best option is to ask the person who received the check to cash it themselves.

What if the check is post-dated?

A post-dated check is one dated for a future date. Most banks and check-cashing stores will not cash it before that date, and some will refuse it altogether. If you need the money now, contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to write a new check dated today. If you can wait, come back on or after the date on the check.

Can I cash a check without a photo ID?

No. All check-cashing locations require a valid photo ID. If you do not have one, you will need to get a state ID card from your local DMV or equivalent agency. This takes time, so plan ahead. In the meantime, if you have a bank account, ask a trusted person to deposit the check for you using mobile deposit or in person.

What happens if the check bounces?

If you cash a check and it later bounces — meaning the account it came from has insufficient funds — the check-cashing location will take the money back from your account if you have one there, or they may pursue you for the amount. This is why check-cashing stores verify checks before handing over cash. If a check bounces, contact the person who wrote it when ready and ask them to make it good.

Is it cheaper to deposit a check than to cash it?

If you have a bank account, depositing is always free and cashing is free, so there is no cost difference. The difference is timing: a deposit takes one to two business days to clear, while cashing gives you money on the spot. If you need cash when ready, cashing is your only option. If you can wait, depositing avoids the need to carry large amounts of cash.