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Though paper checks are becoming less common, someone may still occasionally pay you using a check rather than direct deposit or an app like Venmo or Zelle. If that’s the case, it’s crucial you understand where you can cash a check so that you can get access to those funds as soon as possible. Here’s a rundown of places where you can cash a check, even if you don’t yet have an account of your own.
Where can I cash a check?
The most common place where you can cash a check is at a bank or credit union. However, there are other places you can turn your check into cash, including check-cashing apps, ATMs, or certain retailers (Walmart famously cashes many types of checks). Meaning, if you aren’t near a bank (or you don’t have a bank account), you can still cash your check.
How to cash a check
Depending on where you go, the check cashing process may look different, but it generally follows a process like this.
If you’re cashing your check somewhere in person, bring a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license. Sign one end of the back of the check to show that you’re the recipient of the funds (known as “endorsing” the check). If you’re cashing the check at a bank, the teller will then give you your cash, along with a receipt for the transaction. If you’re depositing the check, you may need to also give the teller your ATM card or a deposit slip with your account number on it. They’ll hold onto the check after processing it.
You may also be able to use a mobile app to deposit the check remotely into your bank account. If so, you’ll need to follow the prompts listed on the screen. You’ll still need to endorse the check. And make sure you have good lighting, as you’ll most likely need to take pictures of the front and back of the check.
Can I cash a check at any bank?
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Most banks won’t cash a check for you if you’re not a customer. However, you may be able to cash one at a bank where an account holder wrote the check. You will still need to follow the steps above, including bringing your ID. You may have to pay a small fee for the service. The simplest place to cash a check, however, is a bank where you have an account, whether that’s a checking or savings account.
Keep in mind that interest rates on savings accounts, particularly high-yield savings accounts, are the best they’ve been in recent memory. If you don’t need your money right away, it makes sense to deposit in an interest-bearing savings account so that it can grow.
Can you cash a check at an ATM?
Yes, you can cash your check at an ATM, as long as it’s part of your bank’s network. You may be able to deposit the check and withdraw the same amount, though you’ll want to double check your bank’s policies, including daily withdrawal limits. You’ll need your debit card, and from there, you can follow the prompts on the screen. Some ATMs automatically read the numbers on the check, while others need you to type in the amount. Remember to endorse your check before depositing it in the slot.
Where can I cash a check without a bank account?
If you don’t have a bank account, you can cash a check at:
- The bank that issued the check
- Many grocery stores or big box retailers, like Walmart (but remember that Walmart only cashes preprinted checks)
- A check-cashing service (though these are typically the most expensive places to cash a check)
You can also load the funds onto a prepaid debit card, and then withdraw cash from an ATM. Or, if you have a friend or family member whom you totally trust, you can sign the check over to them and ask them to cash it for you.
Keep in mind that with any of these methods you’ll most likely have to pay a convenience fee that can range from a few dollars to a steep percentage of the check’s total value. The issuing bank or a retailer, like a grocery store, are typically the least expensive places to cash a check if you don’t have a bank account.
Where can I cash a check without an ID?
If you cash the check yourself, most, if not all places will require you to show your ID. These are the most widely accepted forms of ID:
- Driver’s license
- State ID
- Passport
- Military ID
Although most institutions require a government-issued ID, some will accept a work or school ID.
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If you don’t have any form of ID, some money transfer apps, like Venmo and PayPal, will still allow you to deposit checks. If you have an existing account at a bank, you may also deposit checks at an ATM without showing ID (though you probably needed ID when you originally opened the account).
Otherwise, you may be able to sign over the check to someone else who can cash it for you using their ID. But you may still need to present an ID to prove that you authorized that person to cash the check.
Where can I cash a cashier’s check?
Like a personal check, you can typically cash a cashier’s check at the following places:
- The issuing bank
- Your own bank
- An ATM
- Cash checking app
- Check cashing retailers (sometimes are located in other retailers or grocery stores)
Can you cash a check at Walmart?
Yes, it’s possible to cash a check at Walmart with your ID. You will need to head to the customer service desk, and only certain types of checks will be accepted, including:
- Paychecks
- Government checks
- Tax refund checks
- Cashiers’ checks
- Insurance settlement checks
- 401(k) or other retirement account disbursement checks
The service costs between $4 and $6, depending on how much the check is worth. You may either receive the funds in cash or have them loaded onto a prepaid card.
How long do you have to cash a check?
In most cases, checks are only valid for 180 days, or six months from the date of issuance, though some expire after 90 days. The check itself usually says how long you have to cash it. However, it makes sense to cash a check as soon as possible after you receive it — after all, the longer a check sits around, the less time your hard-earned money is doing anything for you.
Editorial Disclosure: All articles are prepared by editorial staff and contributors. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the editorial team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in this article is accurate as of the date of the publish. Check the lender’s website for the most current information.
This article was originally published on SFGate.com and reviewed by Lauren Williamson, who serves as Financial and Home Services Editor for the Hearst E-Commerce team. Email her at [email protected].
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