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.
How can I cash a check with no ID and no bank account? ›
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 can I use to cash a check if I don't have an ID? ›
Use a Prepaid Card With a Check Cashing App
You can get a prepaid card if you want to cash a check but lack a photo ID. Finding a prepaid card option that doesn't require identification may take time, but it's possible. The card issuer may require a deposit, and you may have to pay a check-cashing fee.
Can someone else cash my check for me? ›
If someone asks you to deposit a check on their behalf, they could simply endorse the back and hand it over to you. However, just signing the back is the least secure way to have someone else deposit a check. Unless the check specifically says, “For Deposit Only,” the person who receives it can cash it.
What banks will let me cash a check without an account? ›
Virtually all member-FDIC or –NCUA banks and credit unions cash payroll, government, and financial institution (including insurance company) checks for customers and noncustomers.
Can someone else cash a check for someone else? ›
You can deposit a check with someone else's name on it if they've signed it and either made it payable to you or written “For deposit only” under their signature on the back. How they endorse the check usually depends on whether you plan to deposit it into their bank account or yours.
How do I deposit a check made out to someone else? ›
If you cannot get a deposit slip, you can have the payee write "For Deposit Only" on the back of their check, along with their account number, and then sign it.
Is there an app that cashes checks instantly? ›
There are many apps available that will instantly cash checks such as the following: Brink's Money Prepaid Mobile App. Ingo Money App. Netspend.
Can I deposit a check on Cash App? ›
Yes, many mobile banking and money apps and some payment apps like Cash App or PayPal allow you to use your mobile device to upload a photo of an endorsed check for deposit.
How do I cash a check anonymously? ›
At a Glance: To cash a check without an ID, you can sign the check over to someone else, use ATM check cashing, or deposit it into your account and withdraw the funds when it processes (typically 3 to 5 business days). Usually, when cashing a check, people use an ID to complete the transaction.
Here are some examples: If you don't have an account, Bank of America will charge an $8 fee to cash its own checks. Wells Fargo charges $7.50.
Can I cash a check at Chase without an account? ›
For non-Chase Bank customers, you will need a photo ID, such as a state driver's license, passport, or other government-issued ID to cash checks. For checks over $500, you will need a second form of ID, such as a credit card, debit card, or Social Security card.
Will PNC cash a check without an account? ›
Non-Client Check Cashing Fee
This fee will be charged when cashing a check for a payee who does not have a PNC Bank checking, savings, money market, certificate of deposit account (CD) or retirement money market or CD.
Can you cash a check at any bank? ›
Can I Cash a Check at Any Bank? Not every bank will cash a check from a noncustomer, but many do. You'll have the best luck visiting the bank the check was issued from. Other banks may still agree to cash your check, as long as they can verify the account holder has enough funds to cover the check amount.
