Where to Cash a Check: Your Local Options

The most common places to cash a check near you

You can cash a check at your own bank or credit union without paying a fee — that is the fastest and cheapest route. If you do not have an account there, you can still cash checks at many banks and credit unions, though they may charge you a fee (usually $5 to $10) and may require you to show ID. Some banks will only cash checks drawn on their own institution.

Beyond banks, check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies offer this service in most neighborhoods. Grocery chains like Walmart, Target, and Kroger have check-cashing counters. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens cash checks at their customer service desks. Check-cashing stores (sometimes called check-cashing outlets or CCOs) are dedicated to this work and are often open longer hours than banks, including evenings and weekends.

The trade-off is cost. Check-cashing stores typically charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount — so cashing a $500 check might cost you $5 to $15. Grocery stores and pharmacies usually charge a flat fee of $3 to $8 per check. Your bank charges nothing if you have an account there.

Key Takeaways

• Your own bank or credit union will cash your check for free if you have an account, and this is the fastest option.
• Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies all offer check cashing but charge fees ranging from $3 to 3 percent of the check amount.
• You will need a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) at almost any location that cashes checks.
• Some checks require the person who wrote the check to be present, or may not be cashed at all if they are stale-dated (usually more than 180 days old).

How to find check-cashing locations near you

The fastest way is to search "check cashing near me" on Google Maps or your phone's maps app. This will show you banks, credit unions, grocery stores, and dedicated check-cashing stores within a few miles, along with their hours and whether they are open right now.

If you already have a bank account, call that bank's customer service number or log into your online banking app — most show branch locations and hours. You can also walk into any branch and ask to cash a check at the counter.

For check-cashing stores specifically, search the names of chains in your area: ACE Cash Express, Check Into Cash, and Advance America are among the largest national chains, though local independent check-cashing stores exist in most cities. Their websites usually have location finders.

What you need to bring

Bring the check itself and a valid photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card will work at nearly every location. Some places may also ask for a second form of ID or your phone number, but a photo ID is the minimum.

If the check is made out to someone else and you are trying to cash it on their behalf, you will almost certainly need that person to be present with their own ID. Some locations will not cash third-party checks at all, so call ahead if this is your situation.

If the check is very old (typically more than 180 days), it is considered stale-dated and most places will refuse to cash it. The person who wrote the check can issue you a new one.

Fees and what to expect to pay

Your own bank or credit union: free if you have an account. If you do not have an account at that bank, they may charge $5 to $10 or refuse to cash it entirely.

Check-cashing stores: typically 1 to 3 percent of the check amount. A $200 check costs $2 to $6. A $1,000 check costs $10 to $30. Fees vary by location and by the type of check, so ask before you hand over the check.

Grocery stores and pharmacies: usually a flat fee of $3 to $8 per check, regardless of the amount. This makes them cheaper for large checks but more expensive for small ones.

Some locations offer discounts if you cash multiple checks at once, or if you have a rewards membership. Ask at the counter.

When a location might refuse to cash your check

A check may be refused if it is stale-dated (more than 180 days old), if the signature does not match the ID you present, if the check is damaged or illegible, or if the amount written in words does not match the amount in numbers. These are fraud-prevention measures.

Some banks and credit unions will refuse to cash checks drawn on other institutions if you do not have an account with them. Check-cashing stores and grocery stores are usually more flexible about this.

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

Cashing checks without a bank account

Check-cashing stores exist partly because not everyone has a bank account. You do not need one to cash a check — a valid photo ID is enough at most check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies. The fee is the trade-off for not having a bank account.

If you cash checks regularly, opening a checking account at a bank or credit union will save you money over time. Many banks offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance. Credit unions often have lower fees and are more willing to work with people who have had banking problems in the past.

Cashing checks online or by mail

If you have a bank account, you can deposit a check without visiting a branch. Most banks offer mobile check deposit through their app — you photograph the front and back of the check and submit it through the app. The funds usually appear in your account within one or two business days.

Some banks also accept checks by mail. You sign the back of the check, write "For deposit only" above your signature, and mail it to the address on the bank's website. This takes longer (usually five to seven business days) and is riskier because the check travels through the mail.

If you do not have a bank account, you cannot use these methods. You will need to visit a physical location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check at a bank where I do not have an account?

Yes, but most banks will charge you a fee of $5 to $10, and some will refuse entirely. Your best option is to cash it at your own bank for free, or at a check-cashing store or grocery store for a smaller fee.

What if the check is made out to someone else?

That person must be present with their own ID. Most locations will not cash third-party checks (checks made out to someone other than the person cashing it), so call ahead to confirm. Some check-cashing stores are more flexible about this than banks are.

How long does it take to cash a check?

In person, it usually takes 5 to 10 minutes. If you use mobile deposit through a bank app, the check is processed within one or two business days. By mail, it takes five to seven business days.

What if my check is damaged or hard to read?

Most locations will refuse to cash a damaged check because they cannot verify the amount or the signature. Contact the person who wrote the check and ask them to issue a new one.

Do I need a bank account to cash a check?

No. Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies will cash checks for anyone with a valid photo ID, though they charge a fee. You do not need a bank account, but having one saves money if you cash checks regularly.