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

These days, cashing a check can be as easy as using your bank’s mobile deposit tool or withdrawing cash at an ATM. But if you’re part of the 5.9 million U.S. households that are unbanked, according to a 2021 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) survey, depositing a check isn’t as straightforward.

Even if you don’t have a bank account, there are a few ways you can cash a check. Just keep in mind these methods have their limitations, and you may have to pay some fees.

How To Cash a Check Without a Bank Account

When you need to cash a check without a bank account, you have several options. The best method depends on the type of check you need to cash, the check amount and how accessible different check-cashing locations are to you.

Cash Your Check at the Issuing Bank

The bank that issued the check may be willing to cash it for you, even if you’re not a customer. However, banks aren’t legally obligated to cash checks for non-customers, and if they agree, they may charge you a fee. The bank may also enforce limits on the total amount of money you can cash.

Call ahead to ask if a bank will cash your check, and if so, whether you need to bring additional verification—like an ID—along with you.

Cash Your Check at a Grocery Store or Retailer

Stores like Walmart, Kroger and HEB offer check-cashing services. However, retailers tend to set limits on this service. For example, Walmart limits two-party check cashing to certain locations. It also has a check-cashing limit of $5,000 ($7,500 between January and April of each year) and charges a fee of up to $8 depending on the type and size of the check you’re depositing. If you use a store’s check-cashing service, look up its policies before heading there.

Use a Prepaid Debit Card

With a prepaid debit card, you can often use checks to reload your card. You can load money via direct deposit, mobile check deposit or ATM deposit then swipe it like a debit card or use it to withdraw cash. Visa’s Netspend card, for example, allows you to deposit a check in minutes with your mobile phone. Keep in mind that prepaid cards may charge monthly fees, transaction fees, ATM fees and more.

Sign Your Check Over to Someone Else

If you’re struggling to cash a check without a bank account, you may be able to sign it over to someone else, like a trusted friend or family member. They can deposit the check into their account and withdraw the funds for you.

Before you try signing over a check, call your friend or family member’s bank to ensure they’ll accept it—and ask about fees for this service. Then accompany your friend or family member when they deposit the check in case the teller has questions or needs to see your ID.

Bring Your Check to a Check-Cashing Store

Check-cashing stores, often doubling as payday lenders, might be convenient, but they’re not cheap. You can end up paying a good portion of your check’s total in fees just to cash it. Plus, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has warned of scams originating from these types of services. For these reasons, only use this option as a last resort.

How To Cash a Business Check Without a Bank Account

You can try cashing a business check using the same methods listed above, but you might have a harder time. Certain retailers—like Kroger, for example—can cash business checks. But they may place limits on the size of the business check you can cash. Kroger’s limit is $5,000.

If you’re having trouble cashing a business check, consider opening a business checking account. There are plenty of free business checking accounts that will make depositing business checks much more convenient and a number of other reasons to have a dedicated bank account for your business.

How To Cash a Check Online Without a Bank Account

Many of the options above require you to go into a bank or store to cash a check. But if you have a prepaid debit card, you may be able to cash a check online without a bank account.

The best way to do this is to use a prepaid debit card that allows mobile deposits. Visa’s Netspend card, for example, offers this feature. All you have to do is download the app, follow the prompts and take photos of your check. Once deposited, you can withdraw cash from an ATM or complete transactions using your card.

How To Cash a Large Settlement Check Without a Bank Account

Certain retailers, like Kroger and Walmart, allow you to cash settlement checks. But you may run into check cashing limits if your check exceeds a certain amount.

Cashing a large check at the issuing bank is likely the best option. Call ahead to see if a bank will do this and whether you need to bring ID or other documentation. You can always deposit a check at a check-cashing store, but it’ll be an expensive transaction that significantly eats into your earnings.

How To Cash a Check Without ID

Cashing a check without an ID can present even more challenges. You likely won’t be able to deposit the check at a bank, but you may be able to sign it over to someone else. Banks won’t always accept a third-party check without the original payee present with an ID, so this may not be an option. If the bank won’t allow it, you can ask if there’s any alternative documentation you can use in place of an ID.

If you don’t have luck at the bank, you can try using a prepaid debit card. You can cash your check by using the mobile deposit tool or by visiting an ATM.

Cashing a check without a bank account may be inconvenient, but it’s certainly possible. Weigh the pros and cons of different check-cashing methods, especially when it comes to fees and the risk of fraud. And if it’s possible for you, consider opening a free checking account or—if you’re having a hard time qualifying—a second-chance checking account. Having a bank account will make depositing and cashing checks easier, safer and more convenient.