How Do Check Cashing Places Work?

Check cashing businesses offer financial services outside a traditional bank or financial institution. These service providers can cash money orders or many types of checks without requiring you to have a bank account. Whether you opt for a stand-alone check cashing store or find these services at a grocery store, retailer or credit union, there are some things to know before cashing your check.

According to the Federal Deposit Finance Corporation (FDIC), ​18 percent​ of adults in the U.S. are unbanked or underbanked. By 2021 U.S. Census Bureau numbers, that is more than ​45 million​ people.

Underbanked individuals may have one or more products from a financial institution or lender, such as a checking account, debit card or credit card, but they don't necessarily have the resources or credit score to manage their personal finances and banking needs. Unbanked individuals have no relationship with a traditional bank and cannot have direct deposit for payroll checks or use any banking services.

Unbanked and underbanked consumers need somewhere to make bill payments, cash payroll checks or even secure a short-term loan outside of the traditional banking system. These are the needs served by financial service centers like check cashing stores.

Check cashing services will check the check casher's identity, verify the check issuer's validity and verify the check before cashing it. Many of these businesses also serve as one-stop financial service centers, offering money orders, bill payments and money transfers. Some check cashing companies also provide payday loans or title loans but be aware of the potentially high fees associated with these transactions.

Some locations, especially retail and grocery stores, are open longer than traditional bank hours. For instance, Walmart Money Centers are open on business days, nights, Saturdays and Sundays.

To cash a check, you must bring a valid, government-issued photo ID and have the type of check the check cashing service accepts. Most check cashing businesses accept payroll checks, government checks, tax refund checks, cashier's checks, preprinted checks and money orders. Some shops may not accept personal checks; confirm before you go.

The check must be made out to you, with the "Pay to the Order of" line (image item 3) matching the legal name on your photo ID.

When your identity and the check's validity are confirmed, you can turn your check into cash or have it loaded onto a prepaid debit card. But first, the fees.

The fee you'll be charged depends on your transaction and the check cashing business you use. Some stores charge a flat fee per dollar amount and have a maximum limit for how large a check you can cash. Other stores charge a percentage of the check amount.

Any check cashing service should let you know the fee structure and amount before you agree to cash a check there.

Check cashing stores are convenient and widely available if you don't have a bank account. There may be other options, too. For instance, some banks and credit unions will cash checks for a small fee or no fee at all. Fintech apps like Chime offer mobile banking with no monthly fees or minimums and forgiving overdraft policies.

And there is more promising news on the horizon, as financial institutions are addressing the inequality of bank access and the growing importance of financial inclusion.

According to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, some banks and credit unions are recognizing America's 18 percent underbanked or unbanked as a market segment they can serve.

Some banks are offering free checking.) and second-chance checking accounts, recognizing that the high fees, overdraft fees and high minimum balances are keeping millions of consumers from being able to maintain a banking account.