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, Walmart, or your employer's payroll office. Not all of these places will cash every check — some require you to have an account there, some charge a fee, and some have limits on the amount they will cash. The fastest and cheapest option depends on whether you have a bank account, how much the check is for, and which stores are near you.

Banks and credit unions are the most reliable but require membership. Check-cashing stores and grocery stores will cash checks from non-members but typically charge a percentage of the check amount. Walmart cashes checks for a flat fee that does not change based on the amount. Your employer may cash your paycheck for free if you ask the payroll department.

Key Takeaways

• Banks and credit unions cash checks for account holders at no charge, but require you to be a member and may take one to two business days to deposit the funds.
• Check-cashing stores and grocery stores cash checks for non-members but charge a percentage fee (usually 1 to 3 percent of the check amount) that increases with the check size.
• Walmart cashes checks for a flat fee of $3 to $8 depending on the check type, making it cheaper than a percentage fee for large checks.
• Your employer can often cash your paycheck when ready through the payroll office at no cost.
• The issuing bank will cash a check drawn on their account even if you do not bank there, though some charge a small fee to non-customers.

Banks and credit unions

If you have an account at a bank or credit union, you can deposit or cash a personal check at no charge. The funds may be available when ready if you cash it in person, or within one to two business days if you deposit it. Most banks and credit unions also let you cash checks from other banks at their branches.

If you do not have an account, the bank that issued the check (the one printed on the check itself) will usually cash it for you. Some banks charge a small fee to non-customers — typically $5 to $10 — while others cash checks for free. Call the bank's customer service number on the back of the check to ask about their policy before you go in.

Credit unions are often more flexible with non-members than banks are. If you belong to any credit union, you may be able to cash checks at other credit unions through a shared branching network. Ask your credit union whether they participate in CO-OP or Alliant networks, which let members use thousands of other credit union branches.

Check-cashing stores

Check-cashing stores will cash personal checks for anyone, with no account required. They charge a percentage of the check amount, usually between 1 and 3 percent. On a $500 check, that means $5 to $15. On a $1,000 check, it means $10 to $30. The exact percentage varies by store and by the type of check.

Check-cashing stores are open longer hours than banks — many stay open until 8 or 9 p.m. and some open on Sundays — which makes them useful if you need cash outside normal banking hours. However, they are more expensive than banks or credit unions for the same service, and some stores have limits on how much they will cash in a single transaction.

Before you go to a check-cashing store, call ahead to confirm they accept personal checks. Some stores focus mainly on paycheck cashing and may decline personal checks from individuals they do not know, or may require additional ID or a thumbprint.

Grocery stores and Walmart

Many grocery stores cash personal checks at the customer service desk, usually for a flat fee of $2 to $5. The fee does not change based on the check amount, so cashing a $2,000 check costs the same as cashing a $200 check. You will need a valid ID and may need to be a loyalty program member, depending on the store's policy.

Walmart cashes checks at the money center or customer service desk for a flat fee of $3 to $8, depending on whether the check is a personal check, paycheck, or government check. Like grocery stores, Walmart does not charge more for larger amounts. You will need a valid photo ID. Walmart's hours are typically longer than grocery stores, making it another option for evening or weekend check cashing.

Both grocery stores and Walmart may decline checks if the amount is very large, if the check is postdated (dated in the future), or if you do not have proper ID. Ask at the customer service desk about their specific limits and requirements before you hand over the check.

Your employer's payroll office

If the check is your paycheck, your employer's payroll or human resources department can often cash it for you when ready at no cost. This is the fastest and cheapest option if it is available to you. Some employers will only cash checks for current employees, while others may cash them for former employees as well.

Call or visit your payroll office and ask whether they cash paychecks. If they do, bring your ID and the uncashed check. Many employers can process this within minutes. If your employer does not cash checks, they can usually direct you to a bank or credit union nearby that will.

The bank that issued the check

The bank whose name appears on the check will cash it even if you do not have an account there. This is called cashing at the drawee bank. You will need to go to a branch of that bank with a valid photo ID and the check itself.

Some banks charge non-customers a fee to cash checks, while others do it for free. The fee, if there is one, is usually $5 to $10. Call the bank's main customer service line (printed on the check) to ask about their non-customer check-cashing policy before you visit a branch. This can save you a trip if the bank does not cash checks for non-members.

Comparing costs and speed

Where to cash	Cost	Speed	Requires account?
Your bank or credit union	Free	when ready (in person) or 1–2 days (deposit)	Yes
Issuing bank (non-customer)	$0–$10	when ready	No
Check-cashing store	1–3% of check amount	when ready	No
Grocery store	$2–$5 flat fee	when ready	Maybe (loyalty program)
Walmart	$3–$8 flat fee	when ready	No
Employer payroll office	Free	when ready	No (if current employee)

For small checks under $200, a grocery store or Walmart flat fee is usually cheaper than a check-cashing store's percentage. For large checks over $500, the flat fee becomes a better deal the larger the check gets. If you have a bank account, cashing at your own bank is always free and when ready.

What you need to bring

All check-cashing locations require a valid photo ID. Acceptable IDs include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Some locations may ask for a second form of ID or your phone number and address.

Bring the check itself, unsigned. Do not sign the back of the check until you are at the location where you will cash it, and only sign it in front of the person cashing it. If you sign it early and lose it, someone else could cash it.

If the check is made out to two people (for example, "John Smith and Jane Doe"), both people typically need to be present with ID to cash it. If the check is made out to a business, you may need to bring documentation showing you are authorized to cash checks on behalf of that business.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. A check made out to another person is not yours to cash, even if they give you permission. The person whose name is on the check must be present with ID to cash it, or they must sign the back and write "Pay to the order of [your name]" before you can cash it. This is called a third-party check, and many places no longer accept them.

What if the check is postdated?

A postdated check is dated in the future. Most places will not cash a postdated check before that date arrives. If you try to cash it early, the location may refuse or the check may bounce. Wait until the date on the check has passed before you attempt to cash it.

Can I cash a check if I do not have a photo ID?

No. All check-cashing locations require a valid photo ID. If you do not have one, you will need to get one before you can cash a check. Your state's DMV can issue a state ID card even if you do not drive.

What happens if the check bounces after I cash it?

If the check bounces (meaning the account it was drawn on does not have enough money), the location that cashed it will take the money back from your account or ask you to repay it. You may also be charged a fee. If you cashed it at a check-cashing store, they will contact you to collect the amount.

Is it cheaper to cash a large check at Walmart or a check-cashing store?

For checks over $250, Walmart's flat fee is usually cheaper. A $1,000 check at a check-cashing store charging 2 percent costs $20, while Walmart charges $3 to $8. For smaller checks, the percentage fee at a check-cashing store may be lower than Walmart's flat fee.