Checks are an increasingly antiquated method of exchanging money, so it’s no surprise if you haven’t received one recently or at all before now. That said, there are still plenty of ways to cash a check. You can do everything from walking into a brick-and-mortar shop to completing the whole shebang online – as long as you follow the rules.
In this article, we’ll cover where to cash a check and what you need to do.
General Requirements to Cash a Check
Cashing a check is simple, but the check has to be made in a particular way and you need to bring proof of identity. Make sure your check meets the requirements to be cashed and that you have an acceptable form of ID. Here’s what you need:
- Government-issued photo ID. This could be a driver’s license, passport, state photo ID or military ID.
- The check must be made out to you. Your name must be on the “pay to the order of” line.
- The check must be endorsed. You need to sign the back of the check where it says “endorse here.” Make sure to match the name you’re identified by on the front of the check.
- The check must be dated. The “date” line must be filled out, but it doesn’t need to be a current or past date. Checks can be post-dated. If your check’s date is in the future, you can choose to wait or, in many cases, cash it anyway. Be warned, though, post-dated checks are usually dated that way because there won’t be enough money in the account until then.
- The check must not be expired. Checks generally expire after six months. However, some banks will continue to recognize them beyond that point. It’s worth asking if you have an older check.
Places to Cash a Check
The easiest and most intuitive place to go if you have a check to cash is your bank, but you can go to the checkwriter’s bank, too. Beyond banks, you can load prepaid cards, go to major retailers or use a payment service like PayPal or Venmo. Whatever your situation, there’s a vendor for you.
Here are eight places you can cash a check.
1. Your Bank
| Maximum: | None |
| Cost: | Free |
If you have a checking account, cashing a check should be painless. All you have to do is take your check to the bank teller and ask to deposit it or, if you have a mobile app, make the deposit with your phone. The price for this convenience is that you might not get the total amount immediately. Some banks have policies that permit giving customers up to a certain figure instantly. If your check is more than that amount, it may take a couple of business days before the full check processes. If it’s a large check, the bank may place a longer hold on it. Once the check clears, you’ll be able to take the cash out of your account.
2. The Issuing Bank
| Maximum: | Varies |
| Cost: | Flat fee or percentage of check amount |
Most of the time, you can go to the issuing bank to cash your check, even if you don’t have an account there. For that reason, it’s a good option if you don’t have a bank account at all. That’s because the checkwriter does have an account there, so the teller can confirm that there’s enough money in the account. You can find which bank is the issuer on the front of the check. It’s important to note that issuing banks don’t have to cash your check, and if they decide to, they can charge you for it.
A Bank or Credit Union That Offers Check Cashing Services (Regions Bank)
| Maximum: | Almost any amount |
| Cost: | Up to 4% of the check amount |
You can use Regions Bank’s check cashing service to get your money immediately, but you have to enroll as a Regions Now customer first. You’ll need a photo ID and Social Security number to get approved. Once you’re done, you can get checks cashed at a branch. If you get the Regions Now Card, which is a prepaid, reloadable Visa card, you can also use an ATM or make a mobile deposit. ATM withdrawals are limited to $808 per day. Mobile deposits are available immediately.
4. Walmart
| Maximum: | $200 for two-party personal checks; $5,000 (or $7,500 January-April) for all other checks |
| Cost: | Up to $8 |
As long as you have a valid ID, you can cash a check at Walmart. Just head to a customer service or money services desk. The company can cash almost any pre-printed check, but you’re out of luck if you have a personal check. The money will be made available to you immediately. It can either be given to you as cash or on the Walmart MoneyCard, which is a refillable prepaid card. If you choose to get the prepaid card, Walmart will waive the fee it generally applies for reloading it.
5. Grocery Stores
| Maximum: | Varies by location |
| Cost: | Varies by location |
In most cases, you just need a valid ID to cash a check at a grocery store, but some require extras, such as a Social Security number or store card. The types of checks accepted from grocer to grocer also vary, so call ahead to make sure the one you’re trying to cash is accepted. You’ll also want to make sure the location you want to go to cashes checks, because there are cases where the same company doesn’t offer the service at every store. Here are some examples of grocery chains that offer check cashing services:
- Albertsons
- Food Lion
- Kroger
- Safeway
6. Load It Onto a Prepaid Card
| Maximum: | Varies |
| Cost: | Varies |
Prepaid cards often allow mobile deposits. They each carry their own fees and have their own set of rules, so you’ll have to look into what the card will cost you to upload a check and make withdrawals. That said, if you pay a fee, usually a percentage, you can often get your money instantly. These are an especially good option if you don’t have a photo ID because their identity verification process usually only requires basic information about you and your Social Security number. Here are a few prepaid card programs:
- Transact by 7-Eleven
- Brink’s Money Prepaid Mastercard
- PayPal Prepaid Mastercard
7. PayPal or Venmo
| Maximum: | $5,000 |
| Cost: | 1% of payroll and government checks with a pre-printed signature; 5% for all other accepted checks |
Another option to cash your check is to use PayPal or Venmo. They work similarly to mobile deposits through your bank account. You take a picture of the front and back of your check and submit. Accessing your cash is free if you can wait 10 days. If you need it immediately, you can pay a fee to get it expedited. PayPal’s and Venmo’s check-cashing services are treated as though they’re the same on the back end, meaning the $5,000 maximum is across both apps. The same costs apply on either app, too.
8. Endorse It to Someone Else
| Maximum: | None |
| Cost: | Free |
Sometimes, a bank will allow a different person to cash a check made out to you as long as you follow its guidance. This could mean endorsing the check and then writing “pay to the order of” the name of the person you’re signing the check over to or having them sign the check under your endorsement. Reach out to the bank first to see what’s needed. You should accompany the person you’ve endorsed to the bank in case the bank needs your ID or other information before it can cash the check. Once the person you’ve endorsed to has cashed the check, they can withdraw the money and give it to you.
Where to Cash a Check as a Kid or Teenager
If you’re under the age of 18, it can be more difficult to cash a check. A photo ID makes it easier, but there are options if you don’t have one. The rules are different wherever you go, though, so it’s a good idea to reach out ahead of time.
Some of the potential options if you have a photo ID are the same as if you were an adult. You may be able to use your own bank or the issuing bank. You could also try a retailer for a fee. Having a photo ID also enables you to use the methods that those without one cannot.
If you don’t have a photo ID, there are still a couple of things you can do. If you have a joint account with a parent or guardian, you can ask them to help you. If you don’t, you’ll need to get the help of a trusted adult, whether they’re a parent, guardian or someone else.
FAQs
Can you cash a check without a photo ID?
Yes, you can cash a check without a photo ID using a variety of methods. If you have a bank account, it may offer ATM check cashing or mobile check deposits. You can use either to bypass showing ID. If you don’t have a bank account, you can use a mobile app, such as Venmo or Payal, or a prepaid card that allows check cashing through an app. Finally, you can sign the check over to someone else to cash it for you.
Can you cash a check at an ATM?
Many ATMs offer check cashing. If you’re able to access one that does, how quickly you can get your money may vary by the type of check you’re cashing. Government checks typically process the fastest. If you can access money immediately, there may be a limit on how much. You could also be required to have at least as much money in your account as the check you’re trying to cash is worth before the ATM will disburse funds.
Can you cash a check at the post office?
You can cash certain types of checks worth up to $500 at select post offices. It’ll cost a flat fee of $5.95, and you’ll get a gift card with a value equal to the check instead of cash.
What is the fastest way to cash a check?
The fastest way to cash a check is to take it to a branch of the issuing bank. You can find which bank is the issuer on the front of the check. Most banks will cash checks drawn from a customer’s account for non-customers for a flat fee or a percentage of the check’s value. Since the bank can verify that its customer has the funds to pay, you can get the money immediately.
Summary
Though checks are becoming more and more uncommon, options abound for cashing them. We’ve reviewed nearly a dozen methods here – both online and in-person.
They all charge different fees and the rules vary, though, so you’ll have to consider your needs and circumstances before choosing one. That said, there’s a vendor for everyone, regardless of whether you have a bank account or photo ID.
Originally published in The Ways to Wealth, 2023. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes. The current version of the article may differ and can be found here.