Or, perhaps you are one of the millions of Americans who don’t have a government-issued ID?
Whatever the case, if you want to know how to cash a check without an ID, this is the post for you.
I’ll cover forms of identification that are typically required to cash a check and I’ll give you some workarounds that’ll help you out.
Table of Contents
Do You Need an ID to Cash a Check?
Yes. Banks require some form of ID before they’ll cash a check for you. Other places that provide check cashing services typically require some form of ID for check cashing too.
For example, at Walmart, you’ll normally need to provide some kind of ID like a state ID, military ID, driver’s license, or US Passport.
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This doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to cash or deposit your funds if you don’t have an ID, and I’ll cover some options below.
What type of ID is required to cash a check?
Most banks and stores will require you to show a government issued ID when cashing checks.
Types of ID accepted can include:
- State-issued photo driver’s license
- State-issued photo learner’s permit
- U.S. passport
- Military photo ID
- U.S. visa
The ID mustn’t be expired either. It will need to be valid and current.
What other forms of ID can I use to cash a check?
Depending on the bank or store where you’re cashing the check, you may be able to use a secondary form of valid ID, rather than one of the primary ones mentioned above.
Now, some types of secondary ID are government issued, but they’re just not as common as the types listed above. And, some forms of secondary ID may also include IDs that are issued by some entity other than the government. This, for example, could be your school or your employer.
Banks and stores will often ask for a secondary ID alongside those commonly requested government-issued photo IDs that I listed above.
Secondary forms of ID that may be required include:
- Alien registration photo card
- Firearms permit photo ID
- Foreign driver’s license photo ID
- Permanent resident photo card
- U.S. employment authorization photo ID
- Welfare photo ID
- College photo ID
- Employment photo ID
- U.S. birth certificate
Check Cashing without ID Near You
So, what if you don’t have an ID?
In that case, you can still cash or deposit your check, but you are a little more limited when it comes to your options.
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Here’s how you can cash a check if you don’t have an ID:
1. Sign the check over to someone else
If you have a friend or relative that you trust, then sign the check over to someone else. This is known as a third-party check. Not all banks allow this type of endorsement because sometimes this technique is used for theft and fraud.
This means you’ll need to find out what your bank’s policy is regarding third-party checks. You’ll need to check with both the checkwriter’s bank and the bank where the check will be deposited.
To create a third-party check, you’ll need to write your check with the following in the endorsement space below your signature:
- “Pay to the order of [insert name of new payee].”
This turns your check into a brand-new check for someone else, and that person can cash it for you.
The person you sign the check over to will also need to sign it, so be sure to leave enough room for them to sign the endorsement area too.
Like I said before, not all places will cash third-party checks. For those that do, they may require you, the payee, to sign over the check in the presence of a bank teller or store associate, and provide a valid ID at the time. So, again, just check what the policy is.
2. Use your bank’s mobile app
Some banks have apps that you can use to cash a check online.
Here are some examples:
- Chase Bank: Android. iOS.
- Wells Fargo: Android. iOS.
- First Midwest: Android. iOS.
- Bank of America: Android. iOS.
- Santander: Android. iOS.
- US Bank: Android. iOS.
If you have an account with a bank that has an app with a check cashing feature, then download it. Then, follow the bank’s instructions for endorsing and depositing your check through the app. This is one of the easiest ways to cash a check without your ID. Now, you will normally need to sign up for online banking services for this method to work. Contact your bank to see if they offer an app or have a search online.
3. Use Ingo Money
If your bank doesn’t have a check cashing app, you can still cash checks using the Ingo Money app.
With it, you can cash paychecks, personal checks, business checks, and more. You can get the money in minutes, but you are charged a fee. Or, you can opt to wait for 10 days and get the money for free.
You can choose where you want the funds to be deposited, which can include having the money sent to your bank, prepaid card, or PayPal account.
Either way, it’s a good option if you don’t want to have to head out to the bank with your ID.
Here’s where you can get the app:
4. Deposit the check using your bank’s ATM
At some banks, you may be able to deposit the check into your own account using the ATM. You’ll need your PIN of course. Check to see if check cashing is available at your bank’s ATM.
5. Get a state-issued ID
If all else fails, you could always just get yourself a state-issued ID. Sure, the upfront cost can be annoying, but it can make things easier for you.
The process is pretty simple. You can get one from the DMV, and the best part is that you can start the application process online in many states, like California. Just go to Google and enter the term “DMV get an ID online,” followed by the name of your state. Then, you’ll have to head into a local office to finish the rest of the process.
You can also get one from your local Secretary of State (SOS) office. To find your local office, just open up google and type in “Secretary of State (or SOS) office get an ID,” followed by the name of your state. You have to pay a fee, which varies from state to state, but it’s usually less than $30.
Summary
Give our tips a try if you have a check you want to cash without an ID. Like I said before, you do still have a few options for depositing or cashing your check even if you don’t have an identification. Having an ID does, however, make it an easier process, so you could consider getting one.
Why is a state ID required ?
I have 2 separate witnesses and sealed photo identification documents. (Sealed by notary who is an agent for SOS).
Why won’t the issuing bank accept that ?
How much evidence is needed to redeem a financial instrument ??!!
well I was in a disaster and it seems to me that everyone has a simple answer on getting a id.Well here’s my dilemma. Went to dmv to aquire id,was told I needed my birth certificate.Ok well I got that,so I go in again to be told now I need my marriage certificate,the very document I used to get the name I’ve been using legally for 30 yrs.Well don’t have this document ,and there is no end insight as to getting this document,for the reasons you must show unexpired id,which is expired now.Original documents saying who you are,all this to be sent by mail to another state,so they may determine whether or not it is satisfactory to obtain this marriage document.Now there website is not working properly,even though it was brought to there attention 2 was ago.All in all in order to at least hope I can get this document,I must give up the documents I have saying who I am,mail them to said county clerks office,and wait anywhere from 6-8 was if not longer is what I was told,to receive anything back in the mail with the slight hope that my marriage certificate is also there,oh yeah there’s this fee involved also.One I can not afford,and no social services and other agencies do not help,especially if you have no documents let alone what documents I have.So basically in society it’s a no winner trying to prove yourself and obtain documents to help.These programs refuse to help unless they see fit
I’m having issues like yours regarding ID. However, I’d like to let you know that I recently found out that the Social Security Office WILL provide you a new, free, social security card if you provide a letter from a doctor with their signature on it that has your name and date of birth. I was disappointed to find that they would only mail it. They gave me a letter to have on me. So now I’m waiting for it. Stii, I finally am a recognized member of society again at least. Happy Thanksgiving!
Also as for signing a check over a goverment check to someone else for a amount over 10,000 nope banks will not do it,neither will ingo or prepaid debit cards.So there you have it the answer is no you may not cash a check without a id,and you can not obtain a id unless it is from the other state in which you lived in ,and that also is highly impossible cause you no longer live there.Now my question is can I cash it at a atm and deposit only half the funds onto prepaid and get the other half in cash from the atm.