Where you can cash a check depends on whether you have a bank account

If you have a checking or savings account, your own bank or credit union will cash your check for free during business hours or at an ATM. If you don't have an account, you can cash a check at a retail location like Walmart or Target, at a dedicated check-cashing service, or sometimes at the bank that issued the check — though that bank may charge you a fee if you're not a customer.

The fastest option is almost always your own bank, because they verify your identity against their records and process the check when ready. Retail locations and check-cashing services take longer because they have to verify the check's legitimacy and your identity separately, and some hold the funds for a day or two before releasing them to you.

The cost varies widely. Your own bank charges nothing. Retail stores usually charge $3 to $8 per check. Check-cashing services charge 1% to 3% of the check amount — so a $500 check might cost $5 to $15. The bank that issued the check may charge $5 to $15 if you're not their customer.

Key Takeaways

  • Your own bank or credit union will cash checks for free if you have an account with them.
  • Walmart, Target, and similar retailers cash checks for a flat fee of $3 to $8, usually without requiring an account.
  • Check-cashing services charge a percentage of the check amount (typically 1% to 3%) and are useful if you don't have a bank account and need cash the same day.
  • The bank that issued the check may cash it for non-customers, but often charges a fee of $5 to $15.
  • You will need a valid photo ID and the original check to cash it anywhere.

Cashing a check at your bank or credit union

Bring your check and a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) to any branch of your bank or credit union during business hours. Tell the teller you want to cash the check. They will verify the check is legitimate, confirm your identity, and give you the cash when ready — usually within five minutes.

If you have a debit card, you can also deposit the check at an ATM and withdraw the cash right away, or deposit it and withdraw it later. Some banks let you photograph the check using their mobile app and have the funds available within an hour. This is the fastest and cheapest option if your bank offers it.

If you don't have an account at the bank that issued the check, that bank will usually still cash it for you, but they may charge a fee of $5 to $15. Call ahead to ask whether they charge non-customers and how much.

Cashing a check at a retail store

Walmart, Target, Kroger, and many other grocery and discount stores cash checks at their customer service desk. Bring your check and a valid photo ID. The fee is usually $3 to $8 per check, depending on the store and the check amount. Some stores charge a flat fee; others charge a percentage.

Retail stores typically process the check on the spot and give you cash when ready. However, some stores hold the funds for one business day as a fraud precaution, so ask before you hand over the check if you need the money right away.

Not all stores cash all types of checks. Most will cash personal checks and payroll checks, but some refuse to cash business checks, government checks, or checks from out of state. Call the store's customer service desk before you go, or ask at the desk when you arrive.

Using a check-cashing service

Check-cashing services are storefronts that specialize in cashing checks for people without bank accounts. They charge a percentage of the check amount — typically 1% to 3% — so a $500 check costs $5 to $15. Some charge a flat fee instead, usually $5 to $10 per check.

Bring your check and a valid photo ID. The service will verify the check and your identity, and give you cash on the spot. The whole process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Some services also offer other financial products like payday loans or bill payment, but you are only using them to cash the check.

Check-cashing services are more expensive than banks or retail stores, but they are open longer hours than banks (often until 8 or 9 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturdays) and don't require you to have an account. If you need cash outside normal banking hours, a check-cashing service may be your only option.

What information you need to have ready

Before you go to cash a check, make sure you have the original check in your hand and a valid photo ID. The ID must be current and show your face — a driver's license, passport, state ID card, or military ID all work. An expired ID may be refused, depending on the location.

The check itself must have your name on it (as the payee), the amount written in both numbers and words, the date, and the signature of the person or business that issued it. If any of these are missing or don't match, the location may refuse to cash it.

If the check is made out to you and someone else (for example, "John Smith and Jane Doe"), both people usually need to be present with ID to cash it. Some locations will cash it if only one person signs the back, but this varies. Call ahead if the check has two names on it.

What happens if the check bounces

If you cash a check and the check bounces — meaning the account it was drawn on doesn't have enough money — the location that cashed it will take the money back from your account (if you have one) or pursue you for the amount. This can happen days or weeks after you cash the check.

If you cashed the check at a retail store or check-cashing service and don't have a bank account, they may send the check to a collection agency or pursue you through small claims court. You are responsible for the full amount of the check plus any fees the location charged you.

To protect yourself, only cash checks from people or businesses you trust. If you're unsure whether a check is legitimate, ask the person who gave it to you to wait while you call their bank to verify the account exists and has funds.

Cashing a check without a bank account

If you don't have a bank account, your options are retail stores, check-cashing services, or the bank that issued the check. Retail stores are usually the cheapest option ($3 to $8 per check) and have convenient hours. Check-cashing services are more expensive (1% to 3% of the check amount) but are open longer and may be closer to you.

Some banks will cash checks for non-customers, but they charge a fee and may require you to call ahead. If you cash checks regularly and don't have an account, opening a basic checking account at a bank or credit union will save you money in the long run — many offer free checking with no minimum balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, not legally. A check is a legal document that can only be cashed by the person whose name appears as the payee. If someone wants to give you the money from their check, they need to cash it themselves and give you the cash, or deposit it into their account and transfer the money to you.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At your own bank, usually 5 to 10 minutes. At a retail store, 10 to 15 minutes. At a check-cashing service, 10 to 20 minutes. Some banks and retailers hold the funds for one business day before releasing them, so ask when you arrive if you need the money when ready.

What if I lost my ID?

You cannot cash a check without a valid photo ID. If your ID is lost or expired, you need to get a replacement from your state's DMV or the issuing agency before you can cash the check. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your state.

Can I cash a check by mail?

No. You must present the original check and a valid photo ID in person. Some banks let you deposit a check by mail or photograph it with their app, but depositing is not the same as cashing — the money goes into your account, not into your hand as cash.

What if the check amount is very large?

Banks and check-cashing services may refuse to cash checks over a certain amount without additional verification, or they may require you to wait while they contact the issuing bank. Checks over $5,000 are more likely to trigger extra scrutiny. Call ahead if your check is large.