Check Cashing: How Do I Deposit a Check?

With digital banking and peer-to-peer payment services on the rise, it can come as a surprise that people still pay each other using paper checks. For many, receiving a check may be an unusual experience, leading to the inevitable question: What to do with it?

The good news is that in this day and age, you have many check-cashing options. You don't even need to have a bank account or go to a bank or credit union to cash a check. This article will answer your check-cashing questions, from "Where can I cash a check?" to "How long do I have to cash a check?"

How to cash a check: 7 options

There are several ways to cash a check. It's important to keep an eye on fees, as some approaches are more costly than others. Here are seven options for cashing a check.

Use mobile check deposit

A mobile deposit is the best option for those who do most of their banking digitally and tend to stay away from cash. Most banks now have apps that allow you to take a picture of a check and deposit it into your account virtually.

Your bank’s policies and the size of the check will determine how quickly you have access to the money, but for relatively small amounts, it may be immediate — the only catch is that you must have a bank account to use this option.

Deposit it at an ATM

Modern ATMs often have a feature that lets you deposit a check directly into your bank account. You'll need a bank account and a debit card for this method to work. You may also need a bank-provided deposit envelope, depending on the ATM you use. Your bank's website or mobile app may be able to help you find an in-network ATM that accepts check deposits.

It may take several business days for the funds to be available, so don't expect to turn your check into cash right away at an ATM.

Go to a bank or credit union

The most obvious place where you can cash a check is a bank or credit union. You may even be able to cash a check there if you aren't a customer. However, banks and credit unions are not obligated to cash checks from non-customers. These institutions are more likely to cash a personal check for someone who isn’t a customer if it's been written by one of their accountholders and is no more than six months old.

The bank or credit union may also charge a fee for cashing checks for those who are not accountholders. So be sure to ask what it'll cost you, and bring a form of ID such as a driver's license or passport.

Load it onto a prepaid card

One way to get money from a check is to deposit it onto a prepaid debit card, which you can then use to access the cash at an ATM or to make purchases. You can get a prepaid card associated with a mobile app that allows you to deposit a check using your phone, allowing you to capture the check onto the card easily. But be aware that there may well be fees both for initiating the card and for the mobile-deposit service, especially if you want access to the money quickly.

Endorse the check to a family member or friend

A tried-and-true method of check cashing is to endorse it over to a friend or relative who is willing to deposit it into their bank account. Endorse the check on the back with “pay to the order of [their name]” and then sign your name underneath. Your relative or friend will be able to sign below to endorse it for deposit, and their bank will treat it as a normal check deposit. Your family member or friend can then pass on the cash value to you.

There are generally no fees for depositing someone else's check. However, your friend or family member may incur a fee if the check bounces. Banks also reserve the right to refuse third-party checks, so it's a good idea to check the bank's policies before endorsing the check. You should also be aware of how doing business transactions with friends or family members may impact your relationships.

Cash the check at a retailer

Cashing your check at a retailer is one option if you don't have a bank account. Some major retailers provide check-cashing services to their customers, either for free or for a low fee. For example, Walmart cashes checks up to $5,000 (up to $7,500 from January to April of each year) for a fee ranging from $4 to $8, while Kmart charges a fee that varies by state and ranges from 50 cents to $1 in most states. Kmart's check-cashing services are free in Connecticut, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington and Puerto Rico.

Retailers that don’t provide the service themselves sometimes partner with third-party providers to offer the service in their stores. For example, a variety of major grocery chains such as Kroger, Ralphs, Publix and Quality Food Centers (QFC) provide check cashing to customers via a partner company called Money Services.

As a last resort, go to a check-cashing store

If all else fails, you can find a store that will exchange your check for cash for a very high fee. That fee is likely calculated as a percentage of the check amount — and some check-cashing stores may also add a flat fee in addition to that. Check-cashing establishments include Moneytree, ACE Cash Express, Check Cashing USA, United Check Cashing, Community Financial Service Centers (CFSC), Check Into Cash, The Check Cashing Store and Money Mart, among many others.

This is a very expensive way to get access to your money but is another option if you don't have a bank account. Make sure to bring a form of ID with you.

How to cash a check without a bank account

There are a few ways you cash a check if you don't have a bank account. One option, as mentioned previously, is to have a family member or friend deposit the check for you into their bank account and then give you the cash. This is likely the most cost-effective option as many banks will deposit checks for free.

Other ways to cash a check without a bank account include loading it onto a prepaid card or cashing it at a retailer or check-cashing store, also mentioned above. The fees associated with each of these options vary, but check-cashing stores are likely to be the most expensive option.

How to cash a check without ID

While you'll generally need an ID such as a driver's license to cash a check in person, it is possible to cash a check remotely without an ID. For example, you don't need an ID to make a mobile deposit or to deposit a check at an ATM, but these methods often won't provide fast access to your cash.

If you want to spend your funds right away, loading the check onto a prepaid card may be the best strategy. Alternatively, you can have a family member or friend cash the check for you. This would require your relative or friend to provide ID, but not you.

How long do you have to cash a check?

You generally have six months to cash a check from the date it is written. This is true for most business, payroll and personal checks. Government checks issued by the U.S. Treasury are often valid for one year from issuance. Meanwhile, the expiration of checks issued by state and local governments varies by state.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I deposit a check on Cash App?

Paper checks must meet several criteria to be deposited on Cash App. Some reasons you may not be able to deposit a check on Cash App include if it exceeds the maximum amount Square has set for you, if it is more than 90 days old or is postdated. Cash App can also decline any check, even if it meets the eligibility requirements for deposit.

Does Publix cash checks?

Publix cashes personal and payroll checks at all stores. You must bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, to cash a check at Publix.

Does Kroger cash checks?

Kroger cashes checks at stores with Kroger Money Services Desks. There are more than 2,000 of these stores available. You can find the closest one using the store locator tool.

Does Safeway cash checks?

Safeway does cash checks in most cases. It's best to call ahead to confirm the location you're visiting will accept the type of check you want to cash. Several Safeways also have Western Unions in the store that may offer check-cashing services.