Free Check Cashing: 8 Places to Cash a Check Free!

Are there places where you can cash a check for free?

Heck, yes!

Where to Cash a Check Without Paying Fees

There are definitely options out there where you can cash a check without paying any fees.

1. Your bank

Banks don’t typically charge account holders for depositing checks. So, if you have a check that you want to cash, then going to your bank where you’re an account holder is your best option.

Banks like the Bank of America and Chase will allow you to cash a check for free if you’re a customer.

At banks, you can typically cash most types of checks, like:

• Personal checks
• Payroll checks
• Government checks
• Tax
• Cashier’s checks
• Stimulus checks

If you don’t currently have a bank account, and you plan to deposit checks often, then you should definitely open one.

Opening up a bank account gives you an easy way to cash checks for free. So, by having a bank account, you can save yourself so much money on fees.

If you don’t want to or are unable to get a bank account, you may still have other options for cashing a check for free. Please, go to the “Endorse the check to a friend or family member” section to learn more.

2. Your credit union

Much like banks, credit unions don’t typically charge their customers fees for depositing checks.

At most credit unions, account holders pay nothing to cash checks.

Again, if you don’t have an account with a credit union, then you could consider starting one to save yourself money on fees.

If you don’t want to open up an account with a credit union, then you may still have other options for cashing a check for free. Please, go to the “Endorse the check to a friend or family member” section to learn more.

3. Ingo Money App

If you don’t want to have to head out anywhere to cash your check, then try Ingo Money. It’s a check cashing app you can use to cash paychecks, personal checks, business checks and more.

Now, if you want to get your money instantly, you will need to pay a fee. But, you have the option to wait 10 days for the funds, and if you do, you get the money for free.

You can choose where you want the money to be deposited, which can include having the money sent to your bank, prepaid card, or PayPal account.

4. Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J has about 750 travel centers in more than 40 states. You can cash checks there.

What’s great about Pilot Flying J is that it provides its check cashing service 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

While it does typically charge fees, which vary by location, there is a way to cash a check for free at Pilot Flying J.

All you need to do is purchase at least 25 gallons of fuel, and you’ll be able to cash a check up to $200 for free at the same location within two hours of fueling.

5. PayPal

If you have a PayPal account, then you should consider using the Cash a Check feature in the PayPal app. This service allows you to cash checks

With the Cash a Check feature, you can cash checks and have them credited to your PayPal Balance account on your mobile device.

Simply take a picture of the check you want to cash and send it to PayPal so it can review it. Once your check is approved, you will be able to get the money credited to your PayPal account.

Now, if you want the money to be credited to your PayPal account within minutes, then you will have to pay a fee. But, if you are willing to wait 10 days to get the cash, then you won’t be charged a fee if the check isn’t returned unpaid.

6. Road Ranger

Road Ranger has more than 40 convenience and travel centers in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Road Ranger provides check cashing services at all locations 24 hours a day.

Both fueling and non-fueling customers are able to cash a check up to $999.99, but they will have to pay a fee.

There is a way to cash a check at Road Ranger for free. If you fuel a minimum of 25 gallons, you can cash a check up to $200 for free at the same location within 2 hours of fueling.

Road Ranger also has 24-hour ATMs too!

7. Endorse the check to a friend or family member

Perhaps you don’t have a bank account and the other options don’t work for you? So, what do you do?

Another option you might want to try if you want to cash a check for free without a bank account is to endorse your check to a friend or family member who does have a bank account.

If you have a friend or family member who has a bank account, then they will be able to cash your check at their bank for you for free.

When you endorse a check to someone else, it’s known as a third-party check.

Many banks don’t allow this type of endorsement because sometimes this technique is used for theft and fraud.

Some banks do allow customers to deposit third-party checks though. US Bank allows you to deposit third-party checks, and Citibank allows you to deposit some third-party checks. Others don’t though.

So, you will need to enquire with the bank on what its policy is regarding third-party checks.

You will need to check with both the checkwriter’s bank and the bank where the check will be deposited to see if they allow third-party checks.

To create a third-party check, you will need to write the following in the endorsement space below your signature:

• “Pay to the order of [insert name of new payee].”

This method turns your check into a brand-new check for someone else.

You are essentially paying that person with the check you received. Now, the person you sign the check over to will also need to sign it as well. So, make sure that you leave enough room for the other person to sign in the endorsement area as well.

Your friend or family member can deposit the check, and then give the funds to you.

Typically, you will need to accompany your friend or family member to the bank to verify your identity.

Each bank has its own policy for cashing endorsed checks. For example, some banks might ask you to complete a form to confirm that your friend or family member has permission to cash your check. And, some banks don’t accept third party checks at all as I mentioned earlier. Just check online or call the bank to learn about the requirements.

8. Grocery stores and supermarkets (Not free, but cheap!)

“Where is the cheapest place to cash a check?”

If none of the above options work for you, your best bet would be to find the cheapest place to cash your check. You can try your local grocery store. Many stores like Walmart and Kroger only charge you low fees to cash a check.

For example:

• Walmart charges up to $4 to cash a check up to $1,000.
• At Kroger fees start at $3 with a Shopper’s Card for checks up to $2,000.
• Food City has a $1,000 check cashing limit with a $3 fee.

Closing Thoughts

If you want to cash a check for free, then your bank or credit union is your best option. Account holders can cash checks for free at banks.

Other good options for cashing a check for free nearby include Pilot Flying J and Road Ranger. There are also many online check cashing options that are free as well, such as the Ingo Money App and the PayPal Cash a Check feature.

Give these options a try and get your cash.