08/18/2018
Around 20% of Americans don’t have a bank account*. But that doesn’t mean they can’t cash a pay check or insurance settlement check. There are many ways to cash a number of checks without having a bank account.
Can I cash a check without a bank account?
Whether you’re a temporary or contract worker, and you have a payroll check, or an income tax refund check, you don’t have to go to a bank or need a bank account to cash it.
Just take it to your nearest Money Services location for it to be processed with our check cashing service. As we’re open evenings and weekends – unlike most bank branches – you can cash your check with us even if the bank is closed.
Where can I cash a check without a bank account?
There are a number of places and ways you can cash a check, including:
- At Money Services. You can cash a range of different checks at your local Money Services, including payroll or government-issued checks. Find your local Money Services using the store locator.
- At the issuing bank. If you’ve received a check from the bank, you can usually cash it there, too. Remember to take your ID.
- Using Prepaid Cards. You can load the value of your check onto a prepaid card at Money Services, to be spent at your local grocery store or to withdraw in cash at an ATM.
What type of checks can be cashed without bank account?
You can cash almost any type of check without a bank account.
At Money Services, you can cash the following checks:
- payroll
- income tax refund
- government
- insurance settlement
- 401 (k), retirement disbursement
- business
- Western Union® or MoneyGram® issued Money orders.
You can also unload or get cash off your debit card at Money Services up to $5,000 or get cash off your card when buying groceries for up to $300. We don’t accept starter or personal checks, or third party checks at this time.
How to cash a large check without a bank account
Checks of a value over $5,000 are considered ‘large checks’, and the process of cashing them is slightly different.
If you want to cash a check that’s over $5,000, you’ll usually need to visit a bank and you may have to wait a while to get your money. Under Regulation CC, banks may take up to seven business days to process large checks.
If you want to cash a large check without a bank account, you’ll need to visit the bank or credit union that issued the check to you. If you’re not an account holder, you may also be charged a fee for the service. These vary depending on state and store.
The required ID will vary depending on where you’re planning to cash your check. You will need a valid photo ID at most stores, and at places like the Bank of America, you’ll need two forms of ID – one of which will need to be photo ID.
To find out more, visit our check cashing page.
*https://www.fdic.gov/householdsurvey/2015/2015report.pdf
