7 Best Places to Cash a Check (Besides Your Bank)

Cashing a check is much simpler when you have a bank account. You can easily walk into your bank to deposit the money into your account and then cash it by withdrawing with your ATM. If you can’t go to the bank, you can even scan the check with your bank app to deposit it.

But it’s possible you don’t have a bank account, and you’re wondering, “what are the best places to cash a check near me?” At other times, your bank might not have a branch within your location, and you’re asking, “how do I cash checks near me?”

Thankfully, there are several other places you can cash a check in the United States apart from your bank. And here, we will show you the 7 best options among such places.

7 Best Places to Cash a Check

1. The Issuing Bank 

One of the major issues you’ll face while trying to cash a check is trust. Many issues can arise with checks, such as invalid checks, insufficient balance, etc. Due to these common problems, not everyone would be willing to help you cash a check.

Hence, one of the best places to cash a check, especially personal checks, is the bank that issued the check. They have the issuer account details, so they can easily confirm if the check is valid and the issuer has a sufficient balance. The bank can also contact the check issuer to confirm the transaction is genuine and properly authorized.

You can easily figure out the check writer’s bank since it’s usually printed on the check. The requirements for cashing checks may vary with different banks. But in most banks, you will be required to provide a valid government-issued photo ID. 

2. Walmart

One of the most notable benefits of cashing a check with Walmart is that it offers a broad range of options. You can cash different checks, including government checks, tax checks, payroll checks, and insurance settlements. Other types of cashing options at Walmart include MoneyGram, money orders, cashier checks, and prepaid debit cards.

Another significant benefit of Walmart as a check-cashing option is its visibility and easy accessibility. There are over 5,000 Walmart locations spread across the United States. So, if your puzzle is “where can I cash check near me,” Walmart could be your best answer.

However, Walmart charges you a fee for helping you cash your check. Typically, you’ll have to pay around $4 for checks up to $1,000 and between $6 to $8 for checks up to $5,000. You’re also restricted to a daily cashing limit of $5,000.

3. Grocery Stores

Many local groceries in the US offer certain banking services primarily to help ease customer transactions. You can leverage this option to cash your check. If you shop in the grocery, it makes it even easier as you get to do everything in one place.

Similar to Walmart check services, most grocery stores accept various kinds of checks. Common checks you can cash at groceries include personal checks, government checks, pre-printed checks, MoneyGram money orders, etc.

The fee and other conditions for cashing a check at a local grocery may vary from one grocery to another. So, endeavor to find out the policies that apply to a store before you use them.

Examples of grocery stores where you can cash your check are:

• Albertson’s, 
• Publix
• Kroger
• HEB
• Hyvee

Like Walmart, you can cash the following checks at most grocery stores:

• Personal checks
• Payroll checks
• Cashier’s checks
• Checks from the government
• Retirement distribution checks
• MoneyGram money orders
• Pre-printed checks

4. Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards can effectively suffice for regular bank accounts even though you have more banking options with a standard account. At least, you can keep your money safe, deposit checks, and spend with your prepaid card.

So, you can deposit your check into your prepaid account if you’re not in a hurry to get the cash. Depending on the policy guiding the availability of cash on the card, it’s possible to have access to some of the money immediately. But on a normal, you should be able to use the funds the moment the check clears.

If you have an app for your prepaid account, you can make deposits via the app by scanning the check. You can also withdraw your money at your nearest ATM.

5. Gas Station Travel Centers

Due to the high rate of fraud, many gas stations no longer offer to check cashing services. They serve travelers primarily, and so, it is mainly challenging to trace and recover any money they lose trying to cash checks for people.

Nevertheless, you can still cash your checks at gas stations such as TravelCenters of America, Pilot Flying J, etc. A top-rated gas station that stands out in this category is 7-Eleven.

7-Eleven provides an app known as Transact by 7-Eleven. This app enables the deposit of a check by snapping it. Then, you get the money loaded into a 7-Eleven prepaid Mastercard. 

The Mastercard is acceptable like normal MasterCards in most retail shops. Note that the money you deposit into the 7-Eleven prepaid Mastercard takes about 48 hours to reflect.

6. Sign the Check Over to A Friend

If you do not operate any bank account, you can authorize your friend to cash your checks for you. You just need to write an authorization note bearing the person’s name and sign on the check. This is also known as Signing a Check Over.

You may need to verify that the person’s financial institution accepts third-party checks because not all do. The requirements for this method vary with different institutions too. 

Some institutions require your presence, while some charge some fees.  So, find out what works in your case.

7. Check-Cashing Retail Stores

This is arguably the most expensive way to cash checks because of their usually high fees. Most of these check-cashing stores accept personal checks, unlike some other means. So, the higher fees are a way of compensating themselves for taking higher risks with personal checks.

Different rules apply to other stores, so check their policies before you subscribe to any of their services. If this is your only option and you’re looking for a reliable place, Ace Cash Express might be your best bet.

Ace Cash Express Options:

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

Conclusion

Other digital banking services such as mobile banking and card payments may provide a more straightforward means for payments. But peradventure you are part of the unbanked population of the United States, checks can come in handy for you too. Cashing a check is most accessible and cheapest with a bank

With any of the places mentioned in this article, you can find reliable answers to your question of “where to cash check near me.” Ensure you enquire well about any of the services before you use them.