Where To Cash Checks For Free

Most check cashing places will charge you a fee to cash your checks. Sometimes, these fees can be up to 5% of your check value. When you think about this, it is sort of outrageous to cash your check in these places.

Well, there are places that will not charge you a dime to cash your check. That is, if you do not want to pay a fee to cash it. All you have to do is show up with a legal photo ID and a check in the places listed below. And, your check will be cashed.

Places To Cash A Check For Free

Here are places where you can cash a check without fees.

1. Check Cashing Apps

Most check cashing apps will cash your check without fees. This is as long as you can wait for a certain period of time for your check to clear. How does this work, my good reader?

Some of these check cashing apps require you to create an account with them. Then, connect your bank account or debit card to it. In a way, the app deposits directly to your account on your behalf.

Here are some notable apps which will cash your checks for free.

i. Venmo

This is one of the instant check cashing apps which will cash your check for free. Not only does it cash a check instantly, but also deposits it to your bank account. For its free check cashing service, Venmo wants you to wait for 10 days for check approval and deposit. Otherwise, you will charged to have your check fund available immediately.

You can read Does Venmo Cash Checks Instantly to learn more about the process.

ii. Green Dot

This app will not charge you fees to cash a check. You have to wait for 1 business day though. But hey, one business day is not a big deal. This is a great deal, is it not?

iii. Paypal

This is a well known online place to cash a check without paying fees. It has two options for check cashing. You can either be charged a fee and get your fund instantly; or, you have to wait for 10 days to get your fund after deposit for free.

Want to learn more about free check cashing online?

Click on the blue hyperlink above, for my article on some of the best apps that will help you with this process. This is important because some of these apps listed, do not charge a fee for check deposits. What is needed from you is just a bank account, debt card and a legitimate check.

You can read Does PayPal Cash Checks Instantly to learn more about the process.

2. The Check’s Issuing Bank

An issuer’s bank can cash your check for free. This is especially, when such a check is a cashier’s check. This is because the bank made the check, therefore it knows there is little or no risk of a check bounce.

Let me elaborate, dear Weeklybagel reader.

Banks do not want your check to bounce. This is because of penalties involved in a bad check . Hence, why a bank charges a fee for check cashing services.

If you go to a bank who issued the check you are about to cash, it can confirm the level of risk associated with the check. Although it is within a bank’s right to charge a fee, the bank may cash your check for free. This is especially, when the check is the bank’s property.

Other Banks Which Do Not Charge A Fee To Cash Checks

There are traditional and online banks with free check cashing services. These services are open to non-customers. For such banks, all you need is a government approved form of identification to engage in a transaction.

Such no fee banks are:

i. CitiBank

Citibank will not charge non-customers a fee to cash check. However, there are limits to the amount of checks you can cash. You can only cash checks with monetary value less than $5000.

ii. Capital One Bank

Capital One Bank is open to non-customers. You can cash a check for free without a bank account. This is as long as you bring legal forms of identification.

iii. BB&T

This is one of the places that cash checks for free. It is a bank, so you need to go with a government approved ID. Here is what else you need to know.

As long as your check value is less than $50, BB&T will not charge you a fee as a non-customer. If you are trying to cash a check value greater than $50, you will be charged a fee.

3. Kmart

Kmart will cash up to $2000 in checks for you. It may be for free or $1 fee. It depends on the states you are from. Here is what I mean.

Kmart will not charge you any fee to cash your check in the US states and territories below:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Nevada
• Puerto Rico
• South Carolina
• Guam
• Washington

Granted you are in any of these locations, you will not be charged a fee to cash your check at Kmart. Furthermore, there is a $0.50 fee for anyone trying to cash a check in any of their branches in Rhode Island and Illinois. It is important you know this, so you will not be ripped off by a cashier.

Finally, Kmart has a flat fee of $1 for all other regions in the United States. This is according to its check cashing policy. Also, they will ask for a government approved form of identification prior to cashing your check.

4. Your Bank

Your bank is one of the places to cash personal checks for free. It is one of the exclusive rights given to customers of a bank. Additionally, some banks can let you deposit multiple checks simultaneously free of charge.

Compare to all banks out there, depositing your check at your bank is probably the best move. This is because you are a customer. But, I understand the inconvenience of not having your local bank near you. Therefore, be free to check the three other banks previously listed above.

5. ATM

Some ATMs will not charge you a fee to deposit your check. They are called Surcharge-free ATMs. Seems too good to be true, does it not?

Well, these are some ATMs in partnership with your local bank. They are called in-network ATMs. If you could find them, you can easily use them to deposit your check.

And, no fees will be charged for the deposit.

However, out-of-network ATMs will charge you fees for such a transaction. To avoid these fees, you can either call your bank to confirm. Or, just google no-fee ATMs near me before heading out to use an ATM to deposit a check.

The Rules For Cashing A Check In the Places Listed Above

All free check cashing places have policies one has to abide in order to successfully cash out without issues. These policies are there to protect the business and you- the customer from check fraud. Prior to choosing any of the services listed above, be sure to know their check cashing policies.

Firstly- you may need a government approved form of identification. Whenever this is mentioned, they mean government photo IDs. These include:

• Driver’s License
• Passport Photo
• Green Card or Permanent Residency Card
• Military ID
• Native American Approved Tribal IDs
• American International Passport

Any one of these can be used for the transaction, although some places may demand two. Also, online check cashing apps may or may not ask for one.

Finally, be sure to make sure your check is a legitimate check before trying to cash it out. If not, you can be penalized for check fraud. This is whether you did it intentionally or not. So, it is always good to be sure the check will not bounce prior to deposit.

As long as you follow all these places’ policies, the check cashing places will your cash checks for free.