Have a paper check to cash, but don't have a bank account? No worries, you can still cash a check without a bank account and you can do this by cashing it at the issuing bank or a check cashing store.
When most people receive a check, they deposit it in their bank account, cash it at their bank, or show their ID and cash it at the bank that issued the check. It’s possible to cash a check without a bank account by cashing it at the issuing bank or a check cashing store. It’s also possible to cash a check if you’ve lost your ID by using an ATM or signing it over to someone else. Learn more below.
Cash a Check without a Bank Account
It’s possible to cash a check without a bank account, but it’s not as convenient and you’ll pay some fees.
How to cash a check without a bank account, but you have ID:
- Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check)
- Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.)
- Cash the check at a check-cashing store
- Deposit at an ATM onto a pre-paid card account or checkless debit card account
All of these options will have fees and may be time-consuming. The fees might be small, but they add up. If you’re earning $300 a week and paying $7 to cash your paycheck, that’s 2% of your paycheck used just to convert your paycheck to cash. That’s $360 in fees per year!
Save yourself money and time and open a bank checking account. Once you have a checking account, you can probably get direct deposit (your employer deposits your paycheck directly into your account) or you can deposit your check through an ATM.
Do I need an ID to cash a check?
How to cash a check without ID:
- Deposit it into your account through an ATM at your bank
- Take advantage of ATM check cashing if your bank offers it
- Sign the check over to someone else
Most banks require your ID be presented before they cash a check, but there’s no standard list for what’s considered an acceptable form of ID. Check with your bank or the bank that issued the check to see if you have a document that they’ll accept as ID.
As a last resort, you can sign the check over to someone you trust and ask them to cash it for you. This creates a third-party check. However, if you choose this option, keep in mind that many banks will require verification that original payee authorized the signing over of the check, by having the original payee present and presenting their ID. Read about how to endorse a check to have a friend cash it for you.
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FAQs
It's possible to cash a check without a bank account by cashing it at the issuing bank or a check cashing store. It's also possible to cash a check if you've lost your ID by using an ATM or signing it over to someone else.
What app cashes checks without ID? ›
Many mobile payment services like PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App have a check depositing feature that adds the funds to your online account, without requiring an ID. Simply download the app of your choice, create an account, and link your bank account to the app.
Can you cash a check at Walmart without an ID? ›
How to cash your check. We make it simple for you to cash your check while you're at Walmart. All you need to do is present your endorsed check to the cashier at our Money Service Center or Customer Service Desk, along with valid identification, and pay the required fee.
Can you cash a check at an ATM without a bank account? ›
Some banks will let you cash a check at their ATMs if the money is loaded onto a prepaid card account. This is a great way to avoid the hassle of long lines at a bank, store, or retailer. Expect to pay a per-check fee, as well as a monthly service fee for the card account.
Can someone else cash my check for me? ›
Once someone signs a check over to another person, it becomes a third-party check. Banks can accept third-party checks for deposit or cash them, but they're not required to.
What is the easiest app to cash a check on? ›
PayPal lets you manage all your money in one app, and the Cash a Check feature in the PayPal app allows you to cash checks on your mobile device and have them credited to your PayPal Balance account. You simply take a picture of the check you want to cash and send it to us for review.
How can I cash a check online instantly without INGO? ›
Muhammad Zeeshan
- PayPal.
- Venmo.
- Cash App.
- Brink's Money Prepaid.
- Varo Money.
- Chime.
- Dave.
- Netspend.
Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check) Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.) Cash the check at a check-cashing store. Deposit at an ATM onto a pre-paid card account or checkless debit card account.
Can I use my social security card to cash a check? ›
Here are some examples of secondary IDs that might be accepted for check cashing: Employment ID: An ID issued by your employer. U.S. Birth Certificate: An official document certifying your birth in the U.S. Social Security Card: The card issued as part of the Social Security system.
Does Ace cash checks without ID? ›
Come to ACE for your financial service needs. We cash most types of checks, even hard-to-cash checks that other companies may not cash, and checks in any amount. Just bring in a valid, government-issued ID.
Your bank or credit union typically lets you cash a check at a branch, at an ATM or through a mobile app. But if you're depositing a check at an ATM or through a mobile app, you might not get the entire amount of the check right away, depending on your financial institution's policies and the amount of the check.
How to make a check out to cash? ›
Can I write a check for “cash?" Yes, you can, but it's not a good idea since someone else could cash it if it fell into the wrong hands. If you still really want to write a check for cash, you write “Cash” as the payee in the “Pay to the Order of” line on the check.
How can I cash my check if I don't have an ID? ›
Options for cashing a check without an ID
ATM: If you have a bank account but don't have an ID on hand, you may be able to cash your check at one of your bank's ATMs. Keep in mind, though, that not all banks offer this feature. Mobile check-cashing app: Some mobile apps allow you to cash a check without a bank account.
Can you get Cash App without an ID? ›
A: Customers who have not gone through the Identity Verification (IDV) process are considered unverified customers. Unverified customers can only spend from a linked debit card.
How can I cash a check immediately and get money? ›
The safest and fastest way to get cash is to take your check to the check writer's bank. That's the bank or credit union that holds the check writer's funds, and you can get the money out of their account and into your hands instantly at that bank.
