Where to Cash a Check Without a Bank Account

Your main options for cashing a check

You can cash a check at a bank, credit union, check-cashing store, grocery store, or Walmart. Banks and credit unions usually require you to have an account with them, though some will cash checks for non-customers for a fee. Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart will cash checks for anyone, but they charge a fee that ranges from about $2 to $10 depending on the check amount and the location.

The fastest route is usually a grocery store or Walmart if you shop there already — you can cash the check at the customer service desk while you're buying other things. Banks and credit unions are free if you have an account, but you need to go during business hours and bring your ID. Check-cashing stores stay open longer and on weekends, which makes them useful if you need cash outside normal banking hours.

The choice comes down to three things: whether you have a bank account, how much the fee matters to you, and when you need the cash. If you have a bank account, use it — the fee is zero. If you don't, a grocery store or Walmart is usually cheaper than a dedicated check-cashing store.

Key Takeaways

• Banks and credit unions cash checks for free if you have an account, but charge non-customers a fee of $5 to $15 per check.
• Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks at the customer service desk for $2 to $5, making them cheaper than check-cashing stores for most people.
• Check-cashing stores are open longer hours and on weekends, which matters if you need cash outside normal banking hours.
• You will need a valid government ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) at every location.
• The check must be made out to you by name — you cannot cash a check made out to someone else unless they sign it over to you, and many places refuse third-party checks.

Banks and credit unions

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union, you can deposit or cash checks for free during business hours. Bring your ID and the check. If you want to cash it rather than deposit it, tell the teller — they will give you cash instead of adding it to your account.

If you do not have an account at that bank or credit union, they will usually cash the check for a fee. The fee varies by institution — some charge $5, others charge $15 or more. Call ahead or ask at the counter before you hand over the check. Some banks will not cash checks for non-customers at all, so this is not a reliable option if you don't have an account.

Banks are open Monday through Friday during the day, and some branches open on Saturday mornings. They are closed on Sundays and federal holidays. If you need cash outside these hours, you will need to use a different location.

Grocery stores and Walmart

Most grocery store chains — including Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's — cash checks at the customer service desk. Walmart also cashes checks at the money center or customer service desk. The fee is usually $2 to $5 per check, which is lower than most check-cashing stores. You need a valid ID.

The advantage is convenience: you can cash the check while you're shopping, and many of these locations are open until 10 or 11 p.m. Some Walmart stores are open 24 hours. Grocery stores are usually open seven days a week, including Sundays, so this is a good option if you need cash on a weekend.

The downside is that not every location cashes checks — call ahead or ask at the customer service desk before you go. Some stores have limits on the check amount they will cash, usually $1,000 to $2,500. If your check is larger, you may need to go to a bank instead.

Check-cashing stores

Check-cashing stores are businesses that exist mainly to cash checks and provide other financial services like money transfers. They will cash any check made out to you, and they do not require you to have an account. The fee is usually $5 to $10 per check, though it can be higher for large checks.

Check-cashing stores are useful if you need cash outside normal banking hours — many are open until 7 or 8 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday afternoons. Some are open on Sundays. They are scattered throughout cities and towns, so you may have one near you.

The trade-off is cost. Check-cashing stores charge more than grocery stores and Walmart for the same service. If you have access to a grocery store or Walmart, you will usually pay less there. Check-cashing stores are best used when the other options are closed or too far away.

What you need to bring

At every location, bring a valid government-issued ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work. Some places will accept a military ID or tribal ID. You cannot cash a check without ID, even if you know the teller or the manager.

Bring the check itself. Make sure it is made out to you by name — if it says "John Smith" and your name is "Jon Smith," some places will refuse to cash it because the names do not match exactly. If the check is made out to you and your spouse or business partner, ask the location whether they will cash it. Many will not cash checks made out to two people unless both are present with ID.

If the check is old — more than six months old — some places will refuse to cash it. The check will have a date printed on it. If you are not sure whether it is too old, ask before you hand it over.

Third-party checks and signed-over checks

A third-party check is one made out to someone else that they sign over to you. For example, if your roommate receives a check made out to them and signs the back of it to you, that is a third-party check. Most banks, grocery stores, and Walmart will not cash third-party checks. Check-cashing stores sometimes will, but they charge an extra fee and require ID from both the original payee and you.

If you need to cash a third-party check, call ahead to the check-cashing store and ask whether they accept them. Do not assume they do. The safest route is to ask the person who received the check to deposit it into their own account and then give you the cash, or to write you a new check made out to you directly.

Online and mobile check deposit

If you have a bank account, you can deposit a check using your phone instead of going to the bank. Most banks have a mobile app that lets you take a photo of the front and back of the check and submit it. The check is deposited into your account, usually within one business day. You can then withdraw the cash at an ATM or ask the teller for cash.

This is free and fast, but it requires a bank account. If you do not have one, you cannot use this method. Some banks let you open an account online in a few minutes, which might be worth doing if you receive checks regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check made out to my business?

If your business is a sole proprietorship and the check is made out to your business name, most places will cash it if the name matches your ID. If your business is an LLC or corporation, the check needs to be made out to the business itself, and you usually need to deposit it into a business bank account rather than cashing it. Ask the location whether they will accept it before you hand it over.

What if the check amount is very large?

Banks will cash large checks, but they may put a hold on the cash or ask you questions about where it came from. Grocery stores and Walmart usually have limits — often $1,000 to $2,500 — and will not cash checks above that amount. Check-cashing stores will cash larger checks but charge higher fees. If your check is over $5,000, go to a bank.

Can I cash a check if my name is slightly different on the check?

If the check says "John Smith" and your ID says "Jon Smith," most places will refuse to cash it because the names do not match. If the difference is very small — like "John" versus "Johnny" — some tellers may accept it, but you cannot count on it. The safest option is to ask the person who wrote the check to write a new one with your name spelled exactly as it appears on your ID.

What happens if the check bounces after I cash it?

If you cash a check and it bounces — meaning the account it was drawn from does not have enough money — the location that cashed it may ask you to return the cash. Banks will deduct the amount from your account if you deposited it. Check-cashing stores may pursue you for the money or report you to a check verification service. Only cash checks from people or businesses you trust.

Do I need an account to cash a check at a credit union?

Most credit unions will not cash checks for non-members, or they charge a high fee if they do. If you are a member of a credit union, you can cash checks for free. If you are not a member, ask whether they offer check-cashing services and what the fee is before you go.