If you are searching for places to cash a personal check near me, you are not alone. Many people find themselves in this situation, especially during the holiday season. Just because you cash a check in your bank doesn’t mean it’s the only place to cash a check near you! Many other places cash personal checks, and they’re not all banks.
Close places to cash a check near me include grocery stores, credit unions, banks, convenience retail stores, check-cashing apps, and PayPal. Additionally, some churches cash checks too. You may want to try alternate locations if having to go into the bank is unpleasant for you or if it’s inconvenient.
Best Places To Cash a Personal Check Near Me
Below you will find a list of some cash cashing places that cash personal checks. Many offer cashback with a purchase if you shop there (Walmart check cashing policy), or they may even cash your check for free.
Credit Unions
Credit unions are not only great options for depositing tax refund checks and to cash personal checks; they also offer consumer-friendly perks like low-interest rates on loans and savings accounts. (Some credit unions even offer cashback with purchase if you use them for a loan.)
Additionally, a credit union offers higher interest rates on their checking accounts (up to 5%), cashback with purchase, and low or no-fee debit cards. They also charge fewer monthly checking account fees than banks. When cashing a check, major credit unions cash personal checks at no charge if you are an account holder.
Your Employer
Some employers will cash your checks if you are an employee. This is usually a benefit offered to employees, and it may not be available at every company. If your employer does cash checks, the money will come out of your next paycheck.
It’s important to budget for this adjustment as your next paycheck may be smaller than usual. You can budget by paycheck to help you prepare for this decrease in income if you know your next paycheck will be smaller than usual.
Your employer might insist you sign a payroll check cashing agreement. This document spells out the fees your employer will charge for cashing your check. However, these fees should be lower than what payday loan providers charge.
Grocery Stores
Many local grocery stores cash checks for free when you use your debit card to make a purchase. This is because the check cashing store associated with your local grocery store makes money by processing your check and accepting payment electronically (through fees). A grocery store is often the best option to cash handwritten personal checks. Just head up to the customer service desk and ask about cashing endorsed checks.
Additionally, you can often pay for your groceries with a handwritten check and make the check out for more than your grocery total. This allows you to receive money back with purchase.
- Giant Eagle: Giant Eagle will cash your personal check and put the funds on a prepaid debit card known as a Giant Eagle Advantage Card. ID is required. Giant Eagle grocers are located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.
- Publix: You can cash a check at a super grocer. Publix does not charge a fee to cash checks, and they have locations in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Walmart Check Cashing Money Services
Retail stores such as Walmart also offer check cashing services for personal checks even if you don’t have a bank account. Cashing personal checks at retail stores often comes with check cashing fees, but it is a more convenient option than going to a check-cashing store. There is a lot of Walmart check cashing locations to cash checks.
You can cash your pre-printed personal check at Walmart and Sam’s Club check cashing at any location. Walmart check cashing also provides check cashing for food stamps and cash benefits from the government. It’s best to check in advance since there may be fees associated or check cashing limits acquired based on your monthly benefit amount.
Banks
Any local bank will cash any type of check, including personal checks and tax refund checks. Normally you must be an account holder and have a checking account. However, a few banks will cash a check with just your government-issued ID. Two-party personal checks are commonly cashed at banks as well.
If you don’t have an account but have bad bank history, there are banks that don’t use Chexsystems in which you can open an account.
You will just need to decide on checking vs. savings account for your needs.
The most common types of checks banks cash include:
- payroll checks
- government checks
- retirement disbursement checks
- insurance settlement checks
- tax refund checks
- insurance checks
- third party checks
- dividend checks
- money orders
- personal check
- paper checks
- cashier’s checks
- starter checks
Cashing a check at your local bank will either come with no fee or a minimal fee, depending on the bank’s policies. You can get the cash immediately from a bank.
7-Eleven Transact
7-Eleven, for example, offers a check cashing app called “Transact.” You can use 7-Eleven check cashing services to cash a personal check through the app.
You take a photo of the check and deposit it using the app after downloading it to your phone. You don’t receive cash right away; instead, you must wait two days before being able to use it. You must also use their prepaid debit card option.
After your bank verifies the transaction, it will be sent to a Transact prepaid Mastercard debit card that you may use at any place that accepts Mastercard. You can also use the service to send money to friends and relatives or pay bills.
Churches
Churches are an option to cash a personal check, and this can be a convenient option for you if you find yourself attending primarily one church. Churches usually check the funds before cashing any check for their members, which is preferable if it’s safe to do so.
Your check will likely be held until you attend church for at least one month, and when you pick up the check, it may be in the form of cash.
Check Cashing Stores
Check cashing stores specialize in check cashing services and are an option if you don’t have a bank account or if the bank is closed. As a matter of fact, there are over 4,000 stores nationwide for your checking services according to IBIS World. These stores typically charge check cashing fees and offer other money services such as pawning, loans, and wire transfers.
The most common check cashing fee is a percentage of the check’s face value, and this amount can range from 2 percent to 10 percent, depending on the check cashing store.
You may have to provide an ID or proof of address for check cashing transactions or check cashing stores might ask you to write a check payable to them to cash it. This check can later be deposited into your bank account with minimal fees.
Sign Your Personal Check Over To A Friend
Another option is to sign your personal check over to a friend and let them cash it. This informal agreement should only be used as a last resort.
Many people wonder if you can cash a check made in someone else’s name. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible unless it has been signed over.
Some check cashing stores will cash a check made in someone else’s name if that person has an ID and the check is endorsed.
If you sign the check over to your friend, they are responsible for cashing it and depositing the funds into their checking account. You should also provide them with a written agreement that outlines the check cashing terms. Anyone can cash a check if the payee has endorsed it.
If you’re unable to cash your check for any reason, your friend may be held liable. It’s also important to remember that check cashing stores typically charge a higher fee than banks.
If you sign your check over to a friend, be sure to:
- have a clear agreement in place
- only use this as a last resort
- include the check cashing fee amount
Use The Issuing Bank
If you need to cash a check and need instant access to cash, you should go to the issuing bank of the check made out to you. For example, if your check is a Chase or Wells Fargo check, you should go to a Chase or Wells Fargo bank and cash the check there.
The advantage to go to the issuing bank of the check is that you’ll get the cash immediately because the bank can check the account that the check was written out of. The bank might check for fraudulent activity first, but this should not take too long. Banks have to check accounts when they cash checks as a way to fight check fraud.
Gas Stations
Some gas stations also offer check cashing services, which might be an option if you’re already near a gas station. According to MarketWatch, there are over 115,000 gas station locations in the United States. The fees for cashing a check at a gas station vary, but it’s usually more expensive than going to a bank.
PayPal
You can cash a personal check with PayPal and the cash a check feature offered by PayPal and Ingo Money for many types of checks even government checks. The parent company of Ingo Money service is First Century Bank. PayPal accepts handwritten payroll checks and printed checks with a pre-printed signature. You can also send money anonymously on PayPal to friends, provided you can deposit checks in PayPal.
To cash a check with PayPal:
- go to the account Overview section
- choose the Get Cash link.
You’ll then be directed to a page for check cashing instructions. Check out the step-by-step instructions on how to use Ingo Money for check cashing in PayPal to cash personal checks.
Cashing checks with PayPal are typically lower than check cashing store fees, but you lose some of your privacy since PayPal may request personal information.
This check cashing service is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other European countries.
Check Cashing Apps
If you are looking for instant online check cashing of your personal check, check cashing apps can do just that. Check cashing companies offer a checking service through their mobile app.
Some check cashing apps do have check cashing fees, but they are often lower than most check cashing stores.
However, the convenience fee of the app is typically less for check cashing companies that have physical locations you can cash your personal check at.
Not all large department stores cash personal checks, so having an online option to cash a check is a plus.
There are also check cashing apps that don’t use Ingo Money or PayPal.
Where Can I Cash a Personal Check Besides a Bank?
If you want to cash a personal check somewhere besides a bank, you have options. Consider check cashing stores or check cashing companies that have a mobile app. As mentioned above, you can also use online check cashing services like PayPal and Ingo Money.
In addition to cashing personal checks, some mobile check deposit apps also accept:
- tax refund checks
- payroll checks
- money orders
- cashiers checks
Some options are more expensive than check cashing at a bank because you pay expedited processing fees to cash a personal check.
However, people use mobile deposit apps so that they don’t have to go to a bank and can avoid check cashing store lines.
Where Can I Cash a Handwritten Check?
The best place to cash a handwritten check is at the check issuer bank. Present your check and another photo ID form to cash a check. This is especially true if you can’t prove that you own the check-issuing account, such as if you’re trying to cash a check from your tenant’s security deposit.
Most retail stores don’t cash handwritten checks, so it’s important to check before heading to retail stores.
If you have a bank account, using a bank is your best bet for cashing a handwritten check.
Banks That Will Cash a Handwritten Check:
Below are some of the national banks that will cash your handwritten check.
CitiBank
Citibank cashing check services are available at the Citibank branch so check with your local bank to see if they have check cashing services, too.
- CitiBank banking hours are typically Mondays through Fridays from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.
TD Bank
You can cash a handwritten check at any TD Bank branch located inside grocery stores and shopping malls.
- TD bank cash check hours are typically daily between 10 am and
Wells Fargo
Cashing handwritten checks at Wells Fargo should be deposited through mobile check deposit or in person. You can also convert a check into cash at Wells Fargo check cashing centers.
- Branch check cashing services are available from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check cashing centers for deposits and withdrawals outside of regular banking hours are open until 8:45 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, 12:00 a.m., and Fridays and 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Chase
Chase offers check cashing services for personal and business checks. You can cash a check at any Chase bank location, and the check cashing service is free for Chase customers.
- Most Chase branches are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with some branches open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PNC Bank
Cashing checks at PNC bank is free for check holders and is available at all PNC bank locations and many partner retailers that offer check cashing services.
- PNC bank hours are typically Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
SunTrust Bank
SunTrust Bank offers personal and business check cashing services at all SunTrust locations, and there is no fee for SunTrust customers.
- Transaction hours vary by location but are typically Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.
BB&T Bank
At BB&T bank, you can cash personal and business checks for free. You need your valid photo ID and the check to be cashed.
- Most BB&T banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with some locations open on Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Regions Bank
Cashing checks at Regions bank is free for all personal and business checks and is available at any Regions bank location.
Transaction hours vary by location but are typically Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
US Bank
Cashing checks at US bank is available at all US bank locations, and there is no fee for personal or business checks.
- Hours vary by location but are typically Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Using a national bank is the best way to cash a handwritten check.
Where Can I Cash a Personal Check on Sundays?
If you need to cash a personal check on a Sunday, the best option is to go to a grocery store that offers this service.
On Sundays, some stores that offer check cashing services include Walmart, Meijer, Kroger, and Winn-Dixie.
- Walmart: Most Walmart stores are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Meijer: Most Meijer stores are open from 6:00 am to Midnight, seven days a week.
- Kroger: Most Kroger stores are open from 6:00 am to 12:00 am, seven days a week.
- Winn-Dixie: Winn-Dixie stores are open seven days a week from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Typically, grocery stores that offer check cashing services will require you to make a purchase to cash a check on Sundays, so it’s important to check with your local grocery store beforehand.
How Can I Cash a Check Without a Bank Account?
If you don’t own a bank account or no branch nearby, there are still ways to cash your personal check. Check cashing services are available at many locations, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, and even churches. These establishments will usually cash government checks as well such as stimulus.
Here are a few places that you can go to cash a check without a bank account:
- Grocery Stores: Many grocery stores offer check cashing services for free with the purchase of products.
- Convenience Stores: Convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven and Circle K, offer check cashing services for a small fee.
- Churches: Some churches offer check cashing services for free or for a small donation.
- Check Cashing Centers: There are many businesses that offer check cashing services for a fee.
- PayPal: You can also cash checks through PayPal by transferring the funds to your PayPal account.
How To Cash Personal Checks
To cash your personal check, there are some steps you need to take with your check.
1. Make sure that the check is endorsed correctly
This means that you need to sign the back of the check and write “For deposit only” beneath your signature.
2. Fill out a deposit slip
This can be done at the bank or through your online banking portal.
3. Bring your valid photo ID and the check to be cashed to the bank
Photo ID is required to cash a check, so make sure you bring your driver’s license, passport, or state ID.
4. Wait for the funds to be deposited into your account
This process can take a few days, so planning ahead is important.
The most important thing to know when cashing your personal check is that you need to make sure the check is endorsed, fill out a deposit slip and bring your valid photo ID and the check to be cashed.
Should I Void The Check If I Don’t Cash It?
If you decide you don’t need to cash a paper check, there are things you can do to cancel it. You can void the check by writing “void” across the front of the check.
Make sure to initial and date the voided check. Once a check is voided, it cannot be used again and will become invalid. You can check out the steps on how to void a check, including destruction.
It’s important to remember that you can only void a paper check, not an electronic check.
Reasons you might need to void a check:
- You changed your mind and no longer want to cash the check
- The check was lost or stolen
- The check was cashed by someone else
- The check was fraudulent
If you have any questions about cashing a personal check, don’t hesitate to call your local bank branch.
Can You Cash a Personal Check at an ATM?
No. It’s not possible to cash a personal check from an ATM. You can only withdraw money using an ATM card or a debit card, so remember this if you plan on cashing a check at the bank.
ATMs will only dispense cash. It’s also important to remember that some banks might have limits on how much you can withdraw from an ATM, so make sure to ask about any limits before cashing a check at an ATM.
Personal Check Cashing Services Summary
You have many options if you are looking for a place to cash your personal check without a bank account. Try cashing the check where you have an existing relationship with the company or organization, such as at your grocery store or thru PayPal.
The article above provides 13 places to cash a personal check near you. You can also go through PayPal, the issuing bank, or your local bank branch if need be. It’s important to make sure the checks are properly endorsed, fill out deposit slips, and bring a valid photo ID when cashing them at any location. Make sure to void old checks, too, so no one else can cash them.
