6 Ways To Cash A Check Without A Bank Account

You can cash a check without a bank account at the issuing bank, major retailers like Walmart, check-cashing stores or through prepaid card apps — though fees range from $4 to $50 depending on the method. According to FDIC data, 4.2% of U.S. households (approximately 5.9 million) are unbanked, making these alternatives necessary but costly.

The issuing bank typically offers the lowest fees for non-customers with government ID, while check-cashing stores charge the highest rates at 1-10% of check value. Opening a free checking account remains the most cost-effective long-term solution, eliminating check-cashing fees entirely.

How much does it cost to cash a check?

Check-cashing fees vary dramatically based on where you go. Here’s what you’ll actually pay:

Cashing one $500 check per month at Walmart costs $96 annually. At a check-cashing store charging 5%? That’s $300 per year. A free checking account costs $0 and takes 10 minutes to open online.

What do I need to cash a check without a bank account?

Requirements vary by location, but here’s what you typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID (required at most locations): Driver’s license, state ID card, passport or military ID
• The physical check itself: The check must be made payable to you, be signed on the front by the payer and must not be expired (typically 180 days for personal checks).
• Additional requirements at some locations: You may be asked for your Social Security number, thumbprint or fingerprint or proof of address (utility bill, lease agreement).
• Types of checks you can cash: Payroll checks (most widely accepted), government checks (Social Security, tax refunds, stimulus), cashier’s checks, money orders and personal checks.

1. Cash your check at the issuing bank (cheapest option)

Your first stop should be the bank listed on the check — many banks will cash checks drawn on their accounts even for non-customers.

Look at the check to identify the issuing bank. Visit a branch with your government-issued photo ID and the check. The bank verifies funds are available and cashes the check, usually within 5-10 minutes.

Cost: Typically $5-$8 for checks over $50. For example, Bank of America charges $8 for any check over $50. Chase charges $8. Wells Fargo charges $7.50.

2. Cash your check at a major retailer (Walmart, Kroger)

National retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and other grocery chains offer check-cashing services. These are widely available and often more affordable than dedicated check-cashing stores.

Visit the customer service desk or money center with your check and government-issued ID. They’ll verify the check, collect the fee, and give you cash minus the fee.

How much does it cost? Walmart charges $4 to cash checks up to $1,000 and a maximum fee of $8 for checks greater than $1,000. In some cases, Walmart cashes two-party personal checks, but these are limited to a maximum amount of $200 and come with a $6 fee. At Kroger, fees and limits vary by state.

Make sure to call ahead to confirm the retailer cashes the type of check you have and verify current fees.

3. Use check-cashing apps (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App)

Mobile apps offer a digital alternative to physical locations, letting you deposit checks via smartphone.

• Cash App: It cost $0 to upload a check into your mobile Cash App wallet by snapping a photo of your check in the app. Your funds will be available within minutes to 1-2 business days. Mobile check deposit limits are $3,500 per check and $7,500 per month.
• PayPal: PayPal charges a 1% fee for government checks and 5% for all other checks. There’s a limit of $5,000 per check and a monthly limit of $15,000 for mobile check deposit. The funds are typically available within 10 business days.
• Venmo: Venmo charges a 1% fee for government checks and 5% for all other checks. There’s a limit of $5,000 per check and a monthly limit of $15,000 for mobile check deposit. The funds are typically available within 10 business days.

4. Use a prepaid debit card with mobile check deposit

Many prepaid cards allow you to deposit checks using a mobile app, similar to traditional bank accounts. Register a prepaid card that offers check deposit, download their app and snap a photo of your check to deposit funds onto the card.

Your spending is limited by how much money you have loaded onto the card. Additionally, if you register your prepaid card account, you may be able to qualify for some additional protections with the money such as insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Prepaid cards have different options for check cashing. Some prepaid cards let you set up direct deposit so that checks are automatically loaded onto the card. Other cards come with an app that lets you snap a picture of your check to load it onto your card. Or, you might be able to deposit your check at an ATM to load the money onto the card.

How much does it cost? While depositing your check may not come with a specific fee, make no mistake: Prepaid cards can be quite costly. There are monthly fees, ATM withdrawal fees, reload fees, inactivity fees and a range of other costs associated with them. For example, GreenDot (via Igno Money) charges a $5 fee for checks under $100, and 5 percent for checks over that amount and up to $5,000.

Related: Compare prepaid debit card options

5. Sign your check over to someone you trust

If you have a trusted friend or family member with a bank account, you can endorse the check over to them. This method costs nothing but requires careful planning and complete trust.

Make sure the person you are signing over your check to is willing to cash the check and that their bank will cash it. You should accompany your trusted friend to the bank in case the teller requires your ID or has questions about the check. Your friend will also need to have proper identification.

How much does it cost? Well, as long as your friend is a good friend, it should be free. However, keep in mind that you’re going to be carrying around a bunch of cash – which means that if you lose it, you’re out of luck.

6. Use a check-cashing store (last resort only)

Check-cashing stores cater specifically to the unbanked, but they’re the most expensive option.

You can visit a check-cashing outlet like ACE Cash Express, Check Into Cash, or Amscot with your check and ID. They verify the check, charge their fee and give you cash.

How much does it cost? There’s no simple answer for this, as maximum check-cashing fees can vary from state to state. Additionally, the pricing menu at check-cashing stores can feel quite confusing. There are different rates for government checks vs. tax refund checks vs. personal checks vs. payroll checks. For an idea of how much you can wind up paying, consider the pricing structure at Amscot: Personal checks have a 9.9 percent fee. So, if you wanted to cash a $500 check, you would wind up handing $49.50 over the store and walk out with $451.50 – not exactly a good deal.

Overall, you’ll want to try and avoid check-cashing stores. They come with predatory fees, designed to extract maximum money from unbanked consumers, no long-term benefits, no banking relationship building.

How to cash a check without ID

Cashing a check without government-issued photo ID is extremely difficult and often impossible at legitimate financial institutions.

Your best option: Sign it over to someone with ID

Endorse the check to a trusted friend or family member who has proper identification:

1. Write “Pay to the order of [their name]” on the back
2. Sign underneath
3. Have them cash it with their ID
4. They give you the cash

Learn how to properly endorse a check.

Check-cashing stores with alternative ID (limited): Some check-cashing stores accept alternative identification, like Social Security cards, utility bills, birth certificates, and others. However, fees are typically higher and acceptance varies by state and location.

Banks are required by federal law to verify your identity to prevent fraud, money laundering and identity theft. This isn’t negotiable — it protects both you and the financial institution.

Why you should open a checking account instead

If you’re regularly paying fees to cash checks, you’re throwing money away unnecessarily. These services exist to profit from the unbanked — don’t let that be you.

Related: Find the best free checking accounts near you

If you haven’t been able to qualify for a standard checking account, some banks offer second-chance checking accounts. These accounts offer customers the opportunity to manage a checking account so that eventually they can qualify for and enjoy the benefits of standard bank accounts.

In addition to convenience, depositing your check into a checking or savings account allows for greater protection and the ability to earn interest on your funds.

Bottom line

All of these check-cashing alternatives carry more risks and more costs than cashing or depositing your check at your own bank. They’re also pretty inconvenient, especially compared to direct deposit. Having a checking account at a bank or credit union is still the safest, most convenient and least expensive way to cash checks.

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