Make MoneyCash A Check

Cash A Check

If you do not have a bank account, it will be challenging to cash a check. Financial transactions are largely conducted online these days. The exchange of money between friends and family can now also be done through apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. A bank account is usually required for most of these. Then managing your money, especially cashing checks, becomes a bit more challenging if you are one of the 7% without a bank account in the United States.

Checks can be cashed quickly when you have a bank account. If you want to use an ATM or the bank, you can do so. From your phone, you can even take a quick picture of the check and deposit it with some banks’ apps.

If you don’t have a bank account, you can’t deposit checks at your local branch. In the event that your check is cashed, you will be required to pay a small fee each time it is cashed.

The check cashing places on this list can help you if you don’t have a bank account but need cash quickly.

The Best Places to Cash Checks

Cashing a check without a bank account can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. The majority of check cashing companies charge a small fee for their services, but you can find a few that do it for free.

We have good news for you today. You can walk out with cash in your pocket.

The rules and requirements for getting your check cashed will vary from check cashing place to check cashing place. You may be able to cash certain types of checks in some places, but not in others, so you should call ahead before making a special trip.

The Bank You’ll Find Listed on The Check

The bank on the check is the easiest place to start if you’re trying to cash a check without a bank account.

In the bottom left corner, you can find this information above the memo line. Check cashing policies vary by branch. Contact your local branch to find out what they are.

When it checks the account balance of the person who wrote you the check, it can immediately verify the availability of funds. In some banks, the account owner will be contacted on the spot as a security measure to prevent fraud.

In the past, the bank on the check was the cheapest option for cash withdrawals. In recent years, most big banks have introduced fees for people who do not have an account with them to cash their checks. It is common for banks to charge a flat rate or a percentage of the check amount up to a certain amount.

It is common for banks to have different conditions and requirements related to cashing checks linked to their institution. In order to avoid mistakes, it is best to call ahead and ask about its policy and fees.

It’s mandatory to bring 1-2 forms of identification that prove you are the owner of the check, so bring your driver’s license, passport, or another government-issued ID card.

Walmart

Among the check-cashing places on this list, Walmart is one of the most accessible and global. The Walmart chain has more than 5,000 locations across the country. Close to 90% of the population lives within 15 miles of a Walmart store.

Walmart also charges reasonable fees of $4 for checks under $1,000 and $8 for checks over $1,000. The fee is in line with those charged by most major banks.

One of the biggest advantages of cashing your check at Walmart is the variety of options it offers. The Walmart Moneycard or straight cash back are two options you can choose from.

Check-cashing options at Walmart include:

  • Pre-printed checks
  • Payroll checks
  • Government checks
  • Tax checks
  • Cashiers’ checks
  • Insurance settlement checks
  • 401k and retirement distribution checks
  • MoneyGram money orders
  • Two-party personal checks ($200 max)

There are two important things to keep in mind:

  • Recently, Walmart began cashing personal checks, but there is an additional fee of $6 and a limit of $200 per check. Cashing a personal check isn’t the only option you have.
  • There are strict limits on the number of checks they can accept. Generally, you can cash checks up to $5,000 as long as they’re under that amount. A $10,000 limit is raised to $7,500 during tax season (January-April).

To make a cashout, you’ll need to bring a valid ID and a check.

Ace Check Cashing

This is the sole purpose of a number of businesses. There may be no other option than a check cashing place if you do not have access to a local bank.

It is important to keep in mind that these stores generally charge the highest fees of all the options on this list. It is not uncommon for check cashing stores to charge different fees within their own branches, so it is important to call ahead and ask.

Be sure to ask if there is a credit check required before cashing your check at this store. Some stores run a credit check before cashing a check because they are effectively making a short-term loan until they receive funds from the issuing bank.

There are Ace Check Express locations in 24 states, making it one of the most popular options. Checks of almost any type can be cashed as long as you have a valid form of identification.

Options for Ace Cash Express include:

  • Personal checks
  • Payroll checks
  • Government checks
  • Tax refund checks
  • Insurance settlement checks
  • Money orders

Ace Cash Express is different from Walmart and other stores in that it will cash your personal check. The website does not list fees, so if you want to know what it will charge to cash a check, you must call a local store.

The Gas Stations

Cashing checks at gas stations used to be much more convenient, but many places have stopped offering this service due to fraud risk. There is almost nothing the gas station can do to find the person responsible once the check has been cashed.

In spite of this, 7-Eleven still cashes checks. A Vcom kiosk can be found in many locations. Checks can be cashed, bills paid, and other financial tasks can be handled using this touch-screen station.

The easiest option is to download the Transact by 7-Eleven app. Your phone can be used to deposit checks. Your prepaid 7-Eleven card works like a Debit MasterCard and gets reloaded with cash each time you reload it. Almost every online and the retail store accepts them.

Your card will be loaded with funds within 48 hours.

Even your employer and government benefits can be deposited into your account using it.

There are other options for cashing checks at gas stations:

  • Pilot Flying J
  • TravelCenters of America

Checks can’t be cashed in every gas station and travel center, so make sure you call ahead to find one that accepts them.

The Company You Work For

Your employer may be able to cash your personal checks in some circumstances.

Due to specific rules and regulations regarding check cashing, most employers do not offer this service. Some do, however. As long as the checks are payroll checks, employers are not limited in the number of checks they can cash each day.

Nonpayroll checks can also be cashed by employers so long as they do not exceed $1,000 per day. Those who cash checks above that are subject to bank regulations as “check cashers.”

The Grocery Store

For cashing a check, grocery stores are one of the most convenient and dependable options. You probably go to the store regularly, so you don’t have to go out of your way to use this service if your store offers it.

Here are some grocery chains that do this:

  • HEB
  • Kroger
  • Publix
  • Winn Dixie
  • Albertsons ($1,000 limit)
  • WinCo
  • Stop & Shop
  • Hyvee

Various fees and check limits will apply at each store, but a form of government identification will be required at all stores.

Personal checks are not accepted at most banks due to fraud risks, but government checks, payroll checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders can be cashed.

Give A Friend or Family Member Your Check as An Endorsement

It’s okay to endorse a check to a friend or family member if you don’t have a bank account of your own.

The process of endorsing a check involves two steps:

  • You write “Pay to the order of [Name]”
  • Sign underneath

The funds will be given to you as soon as the check has been cashed.

Clearly, this requires a high level of trust, and sometimes you’ll both have to be present at the bank to demonstrate that you’re not under any pressure. It’s likely that you’ll need to complete a form certifying your endorsement.

Depending on how often you cash checks, you may find it easier to open your own checking account and avoid this workaround. You don’t want money to interfere with your relationships with family and friends.

FAQs About Check Cashing

Is it possible to cash a check at an ATM?

You cannot cash a check at an ATM, even if you have a bank account.

After depositing a check, you can withdraw cash from your account immediately. In the event that you have no funds in your account before depositing the check, you will not be able to withdraw them for 24 to 48 hours after depositing the check.

It is impossible to do this without an account, however.

Is it possible to cash a check without an ID?

All of the check cashing places listed above require that you provide at least one form of identification, sometimes two. The exception is if you endorse your check to a friend or family member. Essentially, if your ID has expired, it is not valid and will not count as identification.

The following options are available to you if you do not have an ID:

  • Give the check to someone else by endorsing it
  • Online check cashing
  • Become a customer of a bank and use its online services

What is the best way to cash a check online?

There are a few options if you don’t have a bank account but have access to the internet or a smartphone. PayPal and Ingo Money are the two most popular apps without a bank account requirement.

Almost any kind of check can be deposited with Ingo money, including handwritten personal checks. Take a picture of the front and back of the check after you endorse it by signing it. As soon as the check is approved, you can designate where you wish the funds to be sent.

Using Ingo, you can access your money in a number of ways:

  • Debit card with a prepaid balance
  • Cash can be picked up in person at a MoneyGram location
  • Gift cards from Amazon
  • PayPal accounts

It is important to keep in mind that Ingo fees can add up quickly. Checks from government agencies and payroll agencies cost $5 each. You’ll pay a 2% fee if your purchase exceeds $250. If you write a check for $1,000, you’ll have to pay $20. Checks other than those mentioned above will be charged a fee of 5%.

There is only a slight improvement in PayPal fees. Government checks and payroll checks are subject to a 1% fee, while all other checks are subject to a 5% fee. The funds can be transferred to a prepaid debit card and then withdrawn at most ATMs.

In both online apps, you can avoid paying these fees by waiting a full 10 days before accessing the funds.

Banks Offer the Cheapest And Easiest Way To Cash A Check

In the absence of a bank account, you will always have to pay fees to cash your checks.

Open a bank account if you’re tired of paying fees, driving around town, and calling businesses to inquire about their policies. When you open the best online checking account, you’ll earn the best interest rates on your savings and never have to pay a fee for cashing checks.

Disclaimer: In this article, some of the links may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to us at no expense to you if you decide to subscribe to a paid plan. We stand behind these products since we have personally used them. This site does not provide financial advice and is merely intended for entertainment purposes. Our affiliate disclaimer as well as our privacy policy may be viewed on our website.

Continue reading

Paid Online Surveys

Earning money online by taking paid surveys is an easy task you can do in your spare time. Paid surveys are a great way to earn a little extra income while helping these companies if you spend a lot...

Tailwind Pinterest Pin Scheduler

Tailwind is by far the best Pinterest pin scheduler. It offers lots of great features that will automate your Pinterest activity as well as allow you to connect with Pinterest communities. Check out these six ways Tailwind has helped us...

Online Writing Courses

Whatever type of writing you are interested in, there is almost always an online course that meets your needs. Additionally, the more courses you take, the more you will learn about writing and your specific talents. If you want to...

Enjoy exclusive access to all of our content

Get an online subscription and you can unlock any article you come across.