6 Best Places To Cash A Check Near Me Without A Bank Account

If you need to cash a check but don’t have a bank account, there are still plenty of options available to you. In this post, we’ll run through some of the best places to cash a check near you, so you can get your hands on the money you need as quickly and easily as possible.

Banks are obviously the first choice for cash a check if you have an account with them. However, if you don’t have a bank account, there are still plenty of options available to you. Here are six of the best places to cash a check, even without a bank account:

  1. Issuing bank
  2. Retail stores
  3. Grocery stores
  4. Gas stations
  5. Friends and family
  6. Check cashing store

These are just a few of the many options available for cashing a check without a bank account. Be sure to compare different options to find the one that best suits your needs. Let’s hop into why these are the best places we found to cash a check.

1.Visit the Issuing Bank

Visit the Issuing Bank

Logically speaking, your bank might be the best place to get a check converted to cash because you already have a relationship together.

Alternatively, the new check with you is an opportunity to have a relationship pass to another bank. What this means is that you can still walk into any issuing branch to cash a check without a problem. It is important to keep in mind that banks have different criteria.

For starters, look for the name of the bank. You will locate it on the front of the check. In some cases, especially, personal checks the issuing bank name may not be easily located.

Now that you know the bank’s name, look around town for a location. Moreover, a quick google search can help you locate the bank’s local branch.

Before heading to the bank, ensure you have verified what requirements and policies are in place for non-customers.

Some institutions require a government-issued ID or a document that provides proof of identity and, don’t forget the check.

At times, some policies might require the cashier to speak with the issuer before cashing your check. Still, most of the procedures are easy to navigate.

Keep in mind, if the bank treats you well, why not open a bank account with them? Eventually, you will need one.

2.Walmart Check Cashing

Did you know you can convert your check into cash at any nearby Walmart store?

Walmart has a store virtually everywhere, with no less than 5 in each state. Which makes finding a store near you easy.

Walmart’s services extend into the finance field. You can cash checks, print checks, pay bills, prepaid debit cards and carry out some other financial activities at Walmart.

So, it’s a perfect alternative for walking into the issuing bank to cash your check. Besides, in this case, you do not need a verification document or a bank account.

However, you would not be able to cash more than a $5,000 check at Walmart. Note that most banks do not have a maximum limit.

After your check is processed, the clerk will ask whether to be paid in cash or prepaying your debit card.

Also, Walmart has fees for cashing checks, but they are relatively low.

Here are the main types of transactions Walmart handles:

  • Personal Checks (daily limit $200)
  • MoneyGram money orders
  • Pre-printed checks
  • Cashier’s checks
  • Retirement distribution checks
  • Checks attributed by the government

If you are unsure if you have a Walmart near you, go to the Walmart Check Cashing page on their website and input your address. It will locate the closest Walmart store to you.

Continue reading: Declutter Your Expenses To Improve Your Financial Wealth

3.Your Local Grocery Store

Suppose you don’t want to use Walmart’s Financial Service. Well, some grocery stores offer the same service, which you might not know.

Most top grocery chain stores around the US offer cash in exchange for checks. Some of these stores are:

  • Albertsons
  • Baker’s
  • City Market
  • Dillons
  • Food City
  • Food Lion
  • Fred Meyer
  • Fry’s Food Stores
  • Walgreens

Many grocery stores have different policies for check cashing, however, most follow the same requirements as Walmart. Even their charges are just as reasonable as that of Walmart.

Furthermore, most of them cash payroll and government-issued checks. Other checks they work with include:

  • Personal checks
  • Cashier checks
  • Retirement distribution checks
  • MoneyGram money orders

What if you don’t have any grocery stores that offer check cashing? Gas Stations and travel centers can help too.

4.Gas Station Travel Centers

Gas Station Travel Centers money withdraw

According to MarketWatch, there are 115,000 gas stations in the United States.

Even though not all Gas Station Travel Centers have check cashing services, you might be fortunate to find one where you can cash your check.

Some of those that offer check cashing services are:

  • Albertson stores
  • Dillons
  • Citgo
  • GetGo
  • Meijer
  • Safeway
  • Sunoco
  • TravelCenters of America, etc.

Also, check their websites for their nearest locations to you and review their policies. Most gas stations often have check cashing limits of around $300 and a maximum of $1,000.

Finding a gas station that offers check cashing isn’t the only strenuous part, you even have the process. You would need verification documents such as:

  • SSN
  • Primary Government-issued ID (US Passport, Military ID)
  • Alternative ID (College ID, Employment ID, US Birth certificate, foreign driver’s license, welfare photos, and so on)
  • Check-in is in the $300-$1000 range.

The best part is that most gas stations that offer check cashing are available 24/7.

All the same, you need to be aware of the potential policies of locations.

5.Endorse Your Check to a Friend

How about endorsing the check to a friend and letting them gain ownership? It does work in such a way whereby the friend would go to their bank, cash the check and then give you the cash.

These are called third-party checks.

For a check to be considered a third-party check, you must authorize your friend as the check’s owner. To achieve this goal:

  • On the back of the check, write “Pay to the order of” followed by your friend’s name and sign on it.
  • For instance, “Pay to the order of Smith Wallace”______(signature).

Then check if your friend’s bank accepts third-party checks before signing the check over to the friend. Additionally, ensure your friend has no issue with the bank or debt due.

Keep in consideration that some banks require you and your friend to be present when the check is about to be processed into cash.

6.Check Cashing Stores

Check-cashing stores help individuals cash checks, with charges usually around 3-5%. Most check cashing stores offer the same services as banks, but for the unbanked.

So, if you don’t have a bank account or your account has a specific limit. Check cashing stores are available you carry out some financial services, including:

  • Money orders
  • Payday loan
  • Payments of bills
  • Title loans
  • Bad credits loans
  • Prepaid debit and credit card
  • Cashing of the check.

Tips to consider before cashing your check

Tips to consider

You Will Likely Need Some Form of Identification

Without valid identification documents, you might not be able to cash a check. So, here is a small list of the documents you might need:

  • Driver’s license
  • SSN
  • Passport
  • Military ID
  • Employee’s ID / Office ID.

Similarly, you might need secondary IDs such as:

  • College ID or High School ID
  • Employment ID
  • US Birth certificate
  • Foreign driver’s license
  • Welfare photos
  • Firearms permit
  • Permanent resident photo card.

There May Be A Fee To Pay

Whether you use the bank or not, you may have to pay a fee. Some banks’ charges are as low as Walmart’s charges.

So, prepare to give out a small percentage of your money to those who secured it.

Consider Opening a Bank Account

Looking deeper into it, you would have probably cashed your check if you had a bank account. So maybe this is to open your eyes that you should get a bank account that can do the work for you.

All you will need to open a bank account are:

  • Your Social Security number.
  • A valid, government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license, passport, or state or military ID.
  • A minimum opening deposit of $25 to activate your account (once approved).

Conclusion

In summary, if you are looking to cash a check without a bank account, don’t worry – we have your back. Check out any of the places listed in this post, and you should be able to get your hands on some cash quickly and easily.

Have you tried cashing a check at any of these locations? Hopefully with the help of our research you had a seamless experience.

Most likely, you will find yourself motivated to take the necessary steps to open your bank account and begin making huge steps towards nurturing your financial well being and creating financial goals.

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