Do you wonder if you can cash a check without an ID?
I have the answers you seek.
I wrote this article to explain how to cash a check without ID or a bank account. Remember, it still boils down to the bank’s policy where you want to cash your check.
Let’s begin.
Considerations When Check Cashing Without ID
Can you cash a check without an ID? Yes.
However, banks and check-cashing services often require people to present a document to verify their identity.
Some banks may ask for a utility bill or a credit card if you can’t present a photo ID.
Most banks require you to show an ID before cashing a check with a teller, but there’s no standard list of acceptable forms of identification.
Call the bank beforehand to know their policy and check if you have a document they accept as a valid ID.
Your relationship with the bank and the amount of your check also affect whether they will allow you to cash personal checks without a photo ID.
Where Can I Cash My Check Without ID?
Do you need an ID to cash a check? Not always.
Where can I cash a personal check without verification?
Here are the four ways to cash check without ID.
Deposit the Check Into Your Bank Account Through an ATM.
Depositing your check into your bank account using an ATM is arguably the easiest method if you can’t verify your identity.
Here’s how to deposit your check using an ATM:
Insert your card and enter your PIN.
Select the Deposit option.
Enter the amount of money written on the check.
Note: ATMs that can automatically read checks don’t require this information.
Insert the check into the ATM.
Follow any further onscreen instructions.
Take your receipt and bank card.
This method takes three to five business days to access your cash.
If you’re depositing a cashier’s check, you can access the money the next day.
Note: You can only use ATM check cashing if you have a checking account or a prepaid debit card at your bank.
Cash Your Check With a Check-Cashing App.
Can you cash check without ID online? Yes.
Cashing checks is easy with banking apps that allow customers to cash a check. Examples include Cash App, Ingo Money, NetSpend, and Brink’s Money Prepaid.
Here’s how to cash a check on mobile finance apps.
Install the app and link it to your bank account to cash the check using your existing ID.
Open the app on your mobile device and tap on your account balance.
Tap the Deposit option.
Take photos of the front and back of the check.
Type in the date and the amount of the check.
Wait for the app to process your check. You’ll receive a notification once the app approves your check.
Use a Check Cashing Store That Knows You Personally.
If you’re a frequent customer at a check-cashing store and have a good relationship with the cashier, you can cash your check without presenting an ID. However, this method may not work in places with strict verification processes.
Sign the Check Over to Someone You Trust.
You can endorse your checks to someone you trust if you don’t have a valid ID. Here’s how.
Contact a trusted person with a valid ID and a bank account.
Check if the endorsee’s bank accepts third-party checks without the endorser’s ID.
Sign your name next to the area that reads Endorse Check Here. You can find this at the back of the check.
At the back of the check, write Pay to the Order of and the name of the person who’ll cash your check.
Accompany your chosen endorsee during the transaction.
You can create a third-party check by signing it to someone else to cash it on your behalf.
The caveat with a third-party check is that most banks require verification stating that the original payee has authorized the signing over of the check. You may have to be present at the bank and show a valid ID.
The policy differs from bank to bank, so inquiring about your specific bank’s policies beforehand is best.
How To Cash a Check Without ID or Bank Account
If you don’t want to endorse your check to someone else, you can cash a check without an ID and a bank account using prepaid cards.
You can use prepaid cards to deposit checks to access their cash. The downside is that they typically come with exorbitant fees.
If your prepaid card has a mobile app, here’s how to load it with a check.
Log in to your prepaid card app.
Click Deposit and then Deposit a Check.
Sign your name on the back and write For mobile deposit only underneath your signature.
Take photos of the front and back of the check.
Follow further prompts.
Prepaid cards are like debit cards, but instead of linking them to a bank account to withdraw cash funds, you pay upfront or add checks to load money, similar to how a gift card works.
Prepaid cards have different options for check cashing. Some cards let customers set up direct deposit to load the checks onto their cards automatically.
Meanwhile, some cards have a mobile app that lets users take a picture of their checks and load them onto their cards.
Other prepaid cards allow users to deposit their checks to an ATM to load money on their cards.
One major downside when using prepaid cards is their exorbitant fees. For instance, Walmart MoneyCard charges $2.50 to withdraw funds at an ATM, while Green Dot has a $3 fee for out-of-network withdrawals.
Aside from withdrawal fees, prepaid cards also charge fees for ATM balance inquiries and monthly service fees if you don’t meet the minimum load balance, usually between $500 and $1,000.
How To Cash a Cashier’s Check Without ID
A cashier’s check is common in real estate and brokerage transactions involving large funds. Unlike personal checks, banks guarantee and provide the funds on cashier’s checks.
The easiest way to cash a cashier’s check without an ID is to use mobile apps or other methods of mobile deposits.
Here’s how to cash a check on a mobile app.
Install the app and link it to your bank account to cash the check using your existing ID.
Open the app on your phone and tap on your account balance.
Tap the Deposit option.
Take photos of the front and back of the check.
Type in the date and the amount of the check.
Wait for the app to process your check. You’ll receive a notification once the app approves your check.
Banks typically limit the amount of money you can deposit via a mobile banking app. Many banks won’t accept a check worth more than $25,000 via mobile deposit.
How To Cash a Government Check Without ID
Even without ID, you can cash in government-issued checks like financial aid, social security checks, unemployment benefits, government grants, food stamps, and tax refunds. You just need to use a check-cashing service.
Check-cashing services like Ingo Money App, Cash App, Brink’s Money Prepaid, and NetSpend let you use different types of checks, including government financial aid, personal checks, and business checks.
Just ensure you link your app to your bank account, PayPal, or prepaid card.
Aside from mobile app deposits, you can use online services like PayPal to send funds to your bank account or special debit card.
How To Cash Stimulus Check Without ID and Mobile Banking
You can sign your stimulus checks to a trusted friend or relative (with a photo ID) if you don’t have a valid ID or bank account.
Here’s what to do.
Call the endorsee’s bank to verify if they accept third-party stimulus checks without the endorser’s ID.
At the back of any check, an area reads Endorse Check Here. Sign your name next to it.
Write Pay to the Order of and the name of the endorsee at the back of the check.
Accompany your chosen endorsee to the bank.
Another option is to cash your stimulus checks using ATM deposits.
How Can I Cash My Tax Refund Check Without ID?
The fastest and most convenient way to get your tax refund is to sign up for the IRS direct deposit program. The program will deposit your tax refund electronically to your bank account for free.
You can receive stimulus payments with direct deposit more quickly than other methods.
Here’s how to assign direct deposit as your preferred refund method.
Go through your tax software.
Type in your account number and routing number.
Another option is to ask your tax preparer to do this on your behalf.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Someone Else Cash My Check for Me?
Yes. However, it’s only possible if someone properly signs a check to you and the bank accepts a third-party check.
Note: The policy varies by bank. For instance, some banks require the original recipient to be present and show their ID.
What Apps Can I Use To Cash a Check Without ID?
These are the most popular mobile apps to cash a check without ID.
PayPal
Cashing a Check Instantly
Green Dot
NetSpend
Ingo Money
Brink’s Money Prepaid Mobile App
Cash App
What App Will Cash a Check Immediately?
Popular check-cashing apps like Ingo Money, PayPal, and Cash App allow you to get your money in minutes in your bank, PayPal account, and prepaid card. However, it has an extra fee.
On the other hand, standard deposits are often free with mobile check cashing without ID, but you have to wait between one and three business days to access your money.
Can I Mobile Deposit Someone Else’s Check?
Generally, yes. Many banks and credit unions let you deposit checks on behalf of another person into their bank account (or your bank account in some cases).
If a financial institution does not offer mobile deposits, inquire if they offer ATM deposits.
Does Walgreens Cash Checks Without ID?
No. To cash a check at Walgreens, you must present a valid ID, including your photo, name, and signature.
Does Walmart Cash Checks Without ID?
No. You need a valid ID for Walmart check cashing.
Like most grocery chains and retail stores, Walmart requires a valid ID (e.g., driver’s license and other government-issued photo ID) to cash a check.
Can I Use My Birth Certificate to Cash a Check at Walmart?
Not usually. You need something that verifies your current address, which your birth certificate does not include.
What Makes a Check Invalid?
The most common reason banks refuse to cash a check is insufficient funds. They can also reject your checks if they have invalid or unreadable account and routing numbers, invalid or missing signatures, and improper formatting.
Banks may also refuse to cash a check with a date over six months old.
Can I Cash a Check Older Than Six Months?
Banks can reject personal, business, and payroll checks with dates older than six months or 180 days old, according to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), a set of laws governing checks and other commercial exchanges.
However, some banks still process old checks if they believe the funds are good.
What Kind of IDs Do Banks Accept?
Most banks and financial institutions require you to show at least one government-issued ID, such as a passport, driver’s license, and state ID card.
Are There Places That Cash Checks Without ID?
If you want to cash a check but don’t have a valid ID, use your bank or credit union’s ATM check-cashing service. Use your debit card, insert the check, and click the deposit check or cash check option.
Where Can I Cash a Government Check Without an ID?
The easiest way to cash checks, whether these are government, personal, or business checks, is to use mobile apps with check-cashing features.
Where Can I Cash My Tax Refund Check Without an ID?
The easiest way to cash your tax refund check without an ID is through IRS direct deposit. The IRS will deposit your tax refund directly to your bank account.
How To Cash a Check As a Minor Without ID?
If you’re a minor with a bank account, you can sign the check and deposit it into your account.
However, you cannot cash a check without a bank account or a valid ID if you’re a minor. Ask your parent or guardian to endorse the check under your signature. Next, they must deposit it using their bank’s mobile app or at a branch.
How To Cash a Payroll Check With No ID?
You can use check-cashing apps linked to your bank account or PayPal, deposit it into your account through an ATM, or endorse it to someone else (but only if the bank allows third-party checks).
The Bottom Line
I hope my guide helped you realize that cashing checking without an ID isn’t as complicated as it seems.
Don’t hesitate to use any of the methods I discussed. However, remember that you must still consider a bank’s policies, the type of check, the date, and the amount.
