Can I Cash Out a Check at Any Bank?

Do you want to know how to cash your check? Getting a check isn’t the most convenient way to get paid, yet many companies, organizations, and individuals still choose to pay by check.

Sometimes, you’ll get money in the form of a check, maybe it’s your paycheck, a tax refund, or a check from a friend. Unlike cash, you can’t use it right away for purchases.

The most popular way to cash a check is going to the bank which can be stressful. If you’d prefer to cash your check, here are the best options available for you.

How to Cash a Check

Cashing a check without a bank account can be easy if you know where to go. Here are some options:

1. Visit the Bank that Issued the Check

The bank that wrote the check may cash it for you even if you’re not a customer, but they might charge a fee.

Call them first to see if they offer this service and what you might need to bring along, like an ID.

2. Go to a Grocery Store or Retailer

Places like Walmart, Kroger, and HEB often provide check-cashing services. 

Fees and limits apply, so check their policies online before you go. For example, Walmart charges up to $8 to cash a check, with a limit of $5,000, which increases to $7,500 from January to April.

3. Use a Prepaid Debit Card

You can load checks onto a prepaid debit card like Visa’s Netspend. 

You can deposit your check through your mobile phone and use the card for purchases or cash withdrawals. Be aware of potential fees, including monthly charges and ATM fees.

4. Sign the Check Over to Someone Else

If you can’t cash the check yourself, you might be able to sign it over to someone you trust. 

They can then deposit it into their account. Make sure to go with them to the bank in case the teller needs to confirm your ID or has questions.

5. Check-Cashing Stores

These stores will cash your check, but they usually come with high fees. 

They can be useful in a pinch but consider them a last resort due to the costs and the risk of scams.

Can I Cash a Check Online?

Yes, the smartphone has made the process of depositing checks and cashing them online fast. The downloadable apps can help you to cash your checks instantly.

A majority of these instant online check cashing services require one to link their banking information with the app.

They may also require you to write the initials (ODO) which means for online deposit only underneath. 

The apps also require one to take pictures of the front and the back of the check they want to cash and upload them to the app.

You can just use your smartphone or any other standard phone with a camera to take photos.

How Does the Online Check Clearing Process Work?

After taking a photo, the check then goes to a queue for approval. 

If cleared, the money is deposited into an account that you had linked to which could be your bank account or a prepaid card among others.

If it was not linked to any account, then you will have to take an extra step which is to transfer your money to your bank account or to where you want it.

In most cases, you are required to keep the paper version of your check safely for at least 14 days or until the transaction is complete and confirmed. 

Then shred the paper version afterward to avoid any financial breach issues arising.

Many banks across the US offer instant online. You can consider if the bank has such a feature when opening a checking account with any bank. 

Where Can I Cash a Check Online 

Looking to cash a check online? Here are some convenient options:

1. PayPal

With PayPal’s Cash a Check service in the app, you can easily deposit checks into your PayPal Cash Plus account. 

Just snap a photo of the check, send it for review, and if approved, the money can be in your PayPal account within minutes. There’s a fee for instant access, but no fee if you’re willing to wait 10 days.

2. Waleteros Mobile Banking App

Waleteros allows you to cash checks and transfer funds to a prepaid Visa card for bill payments. Signing up is free, and there’s no maintenance fee with their pay-per-user plan. 

However, watch out for other potential fees like check deposit fees or card replacement fees.

3. Chime App

Chime offers mobile check deposits to members receiving direct deposits of over $200 a month. 

After 30 days of direct deposit, mobile check depositing is automatically enabled in the Chime app.

4. Wells Fargo App

Wells Fargo’s app lets you deposit personal, business, and government checks by simply taking photos of the front and back. 

Funds from mobile deposits become available on the next business day, with no fees for online customers.

5. Chase App

Chase’s QuickDeposit feature allows you to deposit checks via the app by taking photos. 

There are no fees for using QuickDeposit, and deposits made before 11 p.m. Eastern time on a business day are usually available by the next business day.

What are the Types of Checks?

Checks come in various types, each serving different purposes and carrying varying levels of reliability. 

1. Business Checks

These are issued by businesses, such as your employer’s paycheck or payments from insurance companies. 

They’re usually more readily cashed than personal checks. Since they come from established entities, banks are more inclined to accept them. However, ensure the issuing business has sufficient funds to cover the check.

2. Personal Checks

Individuals write these, like when your grandmother gifts you money for your birthday. While convenient for personal transactions, they pose risks. 

If the writer doesn’t have enough funds in their account when you deposit the check, it may bounce, leaving you unable to cash it.

3. Cashier’s Checks

These provide a higher level of security as they’re drawn against the bank’s funds, not the payer’s account. 

They’re used for large transactions like purchasing a car or making a down payment on a house. Cashier’s checks are considered more secure because the bank guarantees the funds.

4. Certified Checks

Similar to cashier’s checks, these also guarantee funds. 

However, certified checks are drawn from the payer’s account, and the bank certifies that the funds are available. This assures the payee that the check will clear.

When it comes to cashing a check, you’ve got a few options. Your best bet is usually to go through your own bank. This way, you can avoid high fees and get your hands on your money faster.

If you don’t have a bank account, you’ll likely have to pay a fee to cash your check at the bank it’s from, at big stores, or at check-cashing places.

Another option is depositing it into a prepaid debit card account. Wherever you go, make sure you bring along your photo ID and sign the check before cashing it.