The fastest places to cash a check near you

The places that cash checks fastest are usually the bank or credit union that issued the check, a check-cashing store, or a grocery store with a customer service desk. The bank that issued the check will cash it same-day with no fee if you have an account there, and often will for non-customers too, though some charge $5 to $10. Check-cashing stores and grocery stores typically cash checks within minutes, but charge a percentage of the check amount — usually 1 to 3 percent — or a flat fee of $2 to $5 depending on the check size.

Walmart, Target, and most supermarket chains cash checks at their customer service counters during store hours. Walmart charges a flat fee ($3 for checks up to $1,000, $6 for checks $1,000 to $5,000) and does not require a membership. Check-cashing chains like ACE Cash Express, Check Into Cash, and Speedy Cash operate in most states and cash checks the same day, but their fees are higher than grocery stores — often 2 to 3 percent of the check amount.

To find the nearest location, search "[store name] near me" on Google Maps or visit the store locator on their website. Most are open during standard business hours, though some grocery stores and Walmart locations stay open late or on Sundays. Call ahead if the check is large or if you are unsure whether that location cashes checks, because policies vary by store.

Key Takeaways

  • The bank that issued the check will cash it for free or a small fee, often same-day, even if you do not have an account there.
  • Grocery stores and Walmart cash checks at customer service desks for a flat fee of $2 to $6, with no membership required.
  • Check-cashing stores charge 1 to 3 percent of the check amount and are open longer hours than banks, but fees add up on large checks.
  • You will need a valid photo ID and the check itself; some stores also ask for a phone number or address.
  • Google Maps and store locators show you the nearest location and hours, which vary by store and day of the week.

What you need to bring to cash a check

Every place that cashes checks requires a valid photo ID — a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. Some stores also ask for a second form of ID or a phone number and address to verify your identity. Bring the check itself and any endorsement paperwork if the check is made out to someone other than you (a third-party check, which some stores will not cash).

If the check is damaged, torn, or has writing on the back other than your signature, some stores will refuse it. If the check is very old — typically more than 6 months — banks will not cash it, though check-cashing stores sometimes will. Ask the teller or cashier before you hand over the check if you are unsure whether it will be accepted.

How fees work at different types of locations

Banks charge either nothing or a small flat fee ($5 to $10) to cash a check, and the fee applies only if you do not have an account there. If you have an account at the bank that issued the check, cashing is free. If you have an account at a different bank, that bank may charge you a fee to cash a check from another bank, or may refuse to do it.

Grocery stores and Walmart use a flat fee structure: you pay the same amount whether the check is $50 or $500. Walmart charges $3 for checks up to $1,000 and $6 for checks between $1,000 and $5,000. Most grocery stores charge $2 to $5 depending on the check amount.

Check-cashing stores charge a percentage of the check amount, usually 1 to 3 percent. On a $100 check, that is $1 to $3. On a $1,000 check, that is $10 to $30. Some also charge a flat fee on top of the percentage. Ask the store for the exact fee before you hand over the check, because rates vary by location and by the type of check.

When the bank that issued the check is your best option

If you know which bank issued the check, going to a branch of that bank is usually the cheapest and fastest route. The issuing bank will cash the check for free if you have an account there, and many will cash it for free even if you do not — they straightforward verify the account has funds and hand you the money. Call the bank's customer service number (on their website or on the back of a debit card) to ask whether they cash checks for non-customers and what fee they charge.

The issuing bank will also catch a bad check before you leave the counter, whereas a check-cashing store may not discover the account is empty until days later. If you cash a bad check at a store, the store may pursue you for the fee and the check amount, so using the issuing bank removes that risk.

Using ATMs and mobile apps to avoid check-cashing fees

If you have a bank account, mobile check deposit through your bank's app is free and takes seconds. You photograph the front and back of the check, submit it through the app, and the money appears in your account within one to three business days. Most banks offer this feature on their mobile app, and it works for personal checks, payroll checks, and government checks.

Some banks also let you deposit checks at ATMs by inserting the check into the machine, which is faster than going to a teller. The money usually posts the same day or the next business day. If you do not have a bank account, opening one at a bank or credit union that has no monthly fee (many do not) costs nothing and saves you check-cashing fees over time.

Check-cashing stores versus grocery stores: which costs less

For small checks under $200, grocery stores are usually cheaper because their flat fee ($2 to $5) is lower than the percentage a check-cashing store charges. For large checks over $500, the math flips: a check-cashing store charging 1 percent costs $5, while a grocery store charging a flat $5 fee costs the same, but a store charging $6 or more becomes more expensive.

Check-cashing stores are open longer — many stay open until 8 or 9 p.m. and on Sundays — while grocery stores close at their regular store hours. If you need to cash a check after 6 p.m. or on a Sunday, a check-cashing store may be your only option. Compare the fee at the nearest grocery store and the nearest check-cashing store before you go, because location and hours matter as much as price.

What to do if you cannot find a check-cashing location nearby

If you live in a rural area or a small town with no check-cashing stores or grocery stores nearby, call the bank that issued the check and ask if they have a branch within driving distance or if they can cash it over the phone or by mail. Some banks will mail you a check for the amount if you mail them the original check, though this takes a week or more.

If the check is from your employer or a government agency, ask them to issue payment by direct deposit instead, which deposits the money straight into your bank account with no check or fee. If you do not have a bank account, opening one at a bank or credit union with no monthly fee is often faster and cheaper than driving far to cash a single check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cash a check made out to someone else?

Yes, if the person whose name is on the check signs the back and you sign below their signature (called a third-party endorsement). Many stores refuse third-party checks because the risk of fraud is higher. Call ahead to ask whether the store will accept it before you go.

What happens if I cash a check that bounces?

If the account does not have enough money, the check is returned unpaid. The store that cashed it will charge you a fee (usually $10 to $25) and may pursue you for the check amount. Banks catch this before cashing, but check-cashing stores may not discover it for days. Using the issuing bank removes this risk.

Do I need an account to cash a check at my bank?

No, but policies vary by bank. Many banks cash checks for non-customers for a small fee ($5 to $10). Call the bank's customer service number to ask before you go to a branch.

How long does it take to cash a check?

At a check-cashing store or grocery store, it takes 5 to 15 minutes. At a bank, it takes 10 to 20 minutes if you are not a customer. Mobile check deposit through a bank app takes seconds, but the money posts in one to three business days.

What if the check is old or damaged?

Banks will not cash checks older than six months. Check-cashing stores sometimes will, but may charge a higher fee. Damaged checks are usually refused. Ask the teller before handing over the check if you are unsure.