Where You Can 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 what's open near you right now.

Banks and credit unions are the most likely to cash a check for free if you have an account with them. If you don't have an account, many banks will still cash checks drawn on their own bank — meaning the check is from someone who banks there — but they may charge a fee of $5 to $15 or refuse entirely. Credit unions often have looser policies than banks and may cash checks for non-members at no cost, though this varies by credit union.

Check-cashing stores exist specifically to cash checks for people without bank accounts. They charge a percentage of the check amount — usually 1 to 3 percent — so a $500 check might cost $5 to $15 to cash. They are open longer hours than banks and don't require an account, but the fee adds up if you cash checks regularly.

Key Takeaways

• Your own bank or credit union will cash your check for free if you have an account there, and many will cash checks from other banks for a small fee or for free.
• Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount but don't require an account and are often open evenings and weekends.
• Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks as part of their money services, usually for free or a flat fee, but often have limits on check amounts.
• Your employer's payroll or HR office may cash your own paycheck on the day you receive it, though this is not may provide.
• The person who wrote the check can sometimes cash it at their own bank if you sign it back to them, though this is less common now.

Banks and credit unions

If you have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union, they will cash checks drawn on any bank at no cost. This is one of the main reasons people keep accounts open even if they don't use them often. You straightforward bring the check and your ID to a teller, and they deposit it or give you cash.

If you don't have an account, banks vary widely in what they will do. Some will cash checks drawn on their own bank for free. Others charge $5 to $15 per check. Some refuse to cash checks for non-members at all. The policy depends on the bank's rules and sometimes on the branch manager's judgment. Call ahead or ask at the counter before you wait in line.

Credit unions are often more flexible than banks about cashing checks for non-members. Many credit unions will cash checks for free even if you don't belong to that credit union, as long as the check is drawn on a bank in their network. Some credit unions belong to shared branching networks that let you walk into any member credit union and use their services. If you don't have a bank account, finding a credit union near you and asking about their check-cashing policy can be worth the phone call.

Check-cashing stores

Check-cashing stores are designed for people who don't have bank accounts or who need cash when ready. They cash personal checks, payroll checks, tax refund checks, and government checks. 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 3 percent, though some stores charge flat fees instead. A $300 check might cost $3 to $9 to cash. The exact fee depends on the store and the type of check. Payroll checks often have lower fees than personal checks because they are considered lower risk.

Check-cashing stores are open longer than banks — many stay open until 8 or 9 p.m. and some are open on weekends — so they are useful if you need cash outside normal banking hours. However, the fees mean they are more expensive than a bank account over time. If you cash checks regularly, the cost of a basic checking account at a bank or online bank is usually lower than what you would pay in check-cashing fees in a few months.

Grocery stores and Walmart

Walmart and most grocery store chains offer check-cashing services at their customer service desk. They cash personal checks, payroll checks, and government checks. The process is straightforward: bring the check and your ID to the desk, and they give you cash.

Walmart charges a flat fee that varies by check type — usually $3 to $6 for a personal check and less for payroll or government checks. Many grocery stores cash checks for free if you have a loyalty card with them, or for a small flat fee if you don't. Some grocery stores have limits on how much they will cash in a single check, often $500 to $1,000.

The advantage of grocery stores and Walmart is convenience — you may already be shopping there, and you can cash your check while you buy groceries. The disadvantage is that not all locations offer this service, and the hours are limited to when the store is open. Call ahead to confirm the store near you cashes checks and what their fee is.

Your employer's payroll office

Some employers will cash your paycheck on payday at the payroll or HR office, even if you don't have a bank account. This is not a legal requirement, so policies vary. Some employers do it for free as a benefit to employees. Others refuse. Some will cash it only if you ask in advance.

If your employer offers this service, it is usually the fastest and cheapest option for your paycheck specifically — no fee and no wait for the check to clear. Ask your HR or payroll department whether they offer this and what you need to do to request it. If they do, bring your ID and the unsigned check to the payroll office on payday.

The person who wrote the check

If the person who wrote the check has a bank account, they can sometimes cash it at their own bank. This is called a counter check or a check drawn on themselves. However, this is becoming less common as banks tighten their policies. Some banks will do it for free, some charge a fee, and some refuse.

This option only works if you know the person who wrote the check and can ask them to do it. It is not practical for checks from strangers or businesses. If you do ask, make sure the check is unsigned — the person who wrote it needs to sign it at their bank, not you.

What to bring and what to expect

To cash a check anywhere, you will need the check itself and a photo ID. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card will work. Some places also ask for a second form of ID or your phone number.

The check must be signed by the person who wrote it. If it is not signed, the place cashing it will refuse. If the check is signed to you, you sign the back and hand it over. If the check is blank on the back, you sign it at the counter in front of the teller or cashier.

The amount of time it takes depends on where you go. Banks and credit unions usually cash checks when ready if you have an account. Check-cashing stores, grocery stores, and Walmart usually cash checks within a few minutes. Your employer's payroll office should be when ready on payday.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. A check made out to another person's name is not yours to cash. If someone wants to give you the money from their check, they need to cash it themselves and give you the cash, or they need to write you a new check in your name. Some places used to allow third-party check endorsement, but most banks and check-cashing stores stopped this practice years ago.

What if the check is post-dated or from a long time ago?

A post-dated check — one dated in the future — should not be cashed before that date. Most places will refuse. A check that is very old, usually more than six months, may be refused because the bank considers it stale. The safest approach is to cash checks within a few days of receiving them.

Do I need an account at the bank the check is drawn on?

No. You can cash a check at any bank, even if you don't have an account there and even if the check is from a different bank. However, banks that don't have your account may charge a fee or refuse. Your best bet is to ask the teller before they process it.

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

Cashing means you get the money in cash when ready. Depositing means the money goes into your bank account, and you can withdraw it later. If you don't have a bank account, cashing is your only option. If you do have an account, depositing is usually free and cashing may have a fee.

Can I cash a check online?

Most banks let you deposit checks online using mobile check deposit — you photograph the front and back of the check with your phone, and the money goes into your account. However, this is not the same as cashing, because the money goes to your account, not into your hand as cash. You would then need to withdraw the cash from an ATM or teller.