How To Cash a Check Without a Bank Account (2024)

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Below, we’ll detail the pros and cons of four methods for cashing a check without a bank account:

• Cashing it at the bank that issued it
• Cashing it at a grocery or retail store
• Depositing the funds on a prepaid debit card
• Cashing it at a payday lender or check-cashing store

Check-Cashing Fees

The table below shows how much each check-cashing method could cost. Prices may be flat fees or a percentage of the check amount. They may also vary by state, the type of check and the amount of the check.

One option for cashing a check without a bank account is going to the bank that issued it. The issuing bank’s name should be stated on the check. If there’s a branch near you, then a bank teller can verify that the writer of the check has enough funds in their account to cover the amount listed.

If the bank is willing to cash it for you, you’ll have to show a government-issued ID to prove you’re the payee named on the check. Some forms of ID you could use are your driver’s license, passport or military ID.

Not all financial institutions offer check-cashing services to non-customers, so you should call the bank first to ask. Also, you may have to pay a fee to the bank for it.

Checks typically expire after six months, so even if a bank offers check-cashing services, your check likely won’t be accepted if it’s older than that.

Some larger retail stores, such as Walmart, Publix, Kroger and H-E-B, offer check cashing through their customer service departments. Another option might be a gas station travel center, especially if you’re in the trucking industry. TravelCenters of America and Pilot Flying J both cash checks from billing companies or members of the National Association of Truck Stop Operators.

In most cases, these retailers require you to show valid ID and pay a fee to have your check cashed.

You can also deposit checks on a prepaid debit card. These types of cards run on the Visa, Mastercard or American Express networks and can be used anywhere credit cards are accepted. There are multiple prepaid debit cards, like Netspend®’s Visa or Mastercard, PayPal’s Mastercard and Bluebird®’s American Express.

These allow you to add money online, in person at retail stores or through mobile check deposits in their apps. You can also set direct deposit up to get your paychecks on a prepaid debit card if you don’t have a bank account. These options generally come with fees, so review the details of any card you’re considering.

Some prepaid cards can be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. if you register them. This would mean up to $250,000 of your funds would be covered by the FDIC if the issuing bank fails.

Although a payday lender or check-cashing store can cash your check if you don’t have a bank account, they’re often the most expensive options. The fees and requirements for this method vary.

When you cash a check at a check-cashing store or payday lender, you’ll often get your money on the spot. In exchange for the level of risk the store assumes by giving you the cash right away, it often charges fees higher than other check-cashing options.

However, these stores will generally cash nearly any type of check, such as these:

• Personal checks
• Cashier’s checks
• Payroll checks
• Government checks
• Insurance checks
• Student loan checks
• Money orders
• Tax refund checks

If you’ve decided that opening a bank account makes the most sense for cashing your checks, it can be done relatively quickly. Online banks and credit unions and most larger ones allow you to apply online, and you could receive approval in just a few minutes.

For example, Bank of America and Chase both offer online applications that can be completed with some basic information, including:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Physical address
• Employment information

While a financial institution might run a credit check to verify your identity and credit history when you apply for an account, it will usually look at your ChexSystems report. This type of report covers your banking history, including the accounts you’ve had and whether you’ve been suspected of committing fraud. If you have a history of overdrafts on another bank account, you may not get approved.

The process to apply for a bank account is the same in person, except you’ll meet with a banking representative at a local branch and they’ll ask you for the same information.

To get a bank account quickly, check out our picks for the best online banks.

To get a checking account quickly, check out our picks for the best checking accounts, best online checking accounts, and best free checking accounts.

**Data accurate at time of publication.

Editor’s Note: Before making significant financial decisions, consider reviewing your options with someoneyou trust, such as a financial adviser, credit counselor or financial professional, since every person’s situation and needs are different.