Best way to cash a check online

Have a paper check to cash, but don't have a bank account? No worries, you can still cash a check without a bank account and you can do this by cashing it at the issuing bank or a check cashing store.

When most people receive a check, they deposit it in their bank account, cash it at their bank, or show their ID and cash it at the bank that issued the check. It’s possible to cash a check without a bank account by cashing it at the issuing bank or a check cashing store. It’s also possible to cash a check if you’ve lost your ID by using an ATM or signing it over to someone else. Learn more below.

Cash a Check without a Bank Account

It’s possible to cash a check without a bank account, but it’s not as convenient and you’ll pay some fees.

How to cash a check without a bank account, but you have ID:

• Cash it at the issuing bank (this is the bank name that is pre-printed on the check)
• Cash a check at a retailer that cashes checks (discount department store, grocery stores, etc.)
• Cash the check at a check-cashing store
• Deposit at an ATM onto a pre-paid card account or checkless debit card account

All of these options will have fees and may be time-consuming. The fees might be small, but they add up. If you’re earning $300 a week and paying $7 to cash your paycheck, that’s 2% of your paycheck used just to convert your paycheck to cash. That’s $360 in fees per year!

Save yourself money and time and open a bank checking account. Once you have a checking account, you can probably get direct deposit (your employer deposits your paycheck directly into your account) or you can deposit your check through an ATM.

Do I need an ID to cash a check?

How to cash a check without ID:

• Deposit it into your account through an ATM at your bank
• Take advantage of ATM check cashing if your bank offers it
• Sign the check over to someone else

Most banks require your ID be presented before they cash a check, but there’s no standard list for what’s considered an acceptable form of ID. Check with your bank or the bank that issued the check to see if you have a document that they’ll accept as ID.

As a last resort, you can sign the check over to someone you trust and ask them to cash it for you. This creates a third-party check. However, if you choose this option, keep in mind that many banks will require verification that original payee authorized the signing over of the check, by having the original payee present and presenting their ID. Read about how to endorse a check to have a friend cash it for you.

Open a Huntington Checking Account

If you want a basic checking account with no monthly maintenance fee, or an interest-earning checking account, we've got the options that are right for you.

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Check cashing apps let you cash physical checks on the go at any time. Review the top 11 non-bank check cashing apps (and their fees) in this guide.

Which of these are you most interested in when using check-cashing apps?

Need to cash a birthday check from your aunt? Or maybe a tax refund, or a security deposit?

Due to "Catch Me If You Can"-style fraud, most banks won't cash your check without an account.

Luckily, there are several workarounds if your bank doesn't offer mobile check deposits. Read on for options if you're unbanked or if you just prefer using prepaid cards.

Best Third-Party Apps for Cashing Checks

The apps below let you cash checks instantly using your phone's camera. These range from prepaid card providers to virtual alternatives to traditional checking accounts.

Member FDIC

Chase Total Checking® - $200 Bonus

Expires 1/25/2023

• New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit
• Access to more than 16,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
• Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
• Open your account online now
• Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
• Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*

*With Chase Overdraft Assist℠, we won't charge an Insufficient Funds Fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 PM ET (8 PM PT) to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts.

Brink's Money Prepaid: Most Secure App

Talk about tight security - Brink's is primarily known for their work in the armored transportation industry delivering cash to ATMs and banks. Brink's also offers a prepaid debit card and check cashing service using their mobile app.

The check cashing functionality and prepaid Mastercard debit cards are offered through First Century Bank, N.A.

• 4.3 stars on Google Play Store | 3.3 stars on App Store
  
• Get paid faster with direct deposit
  
• 2% expedited check cashing fee for government and payroll checks
  
• 5% expedited fee for all other checks
  
• Earn cash back with Brinks Money Prepaid Points

Which apps let you cash checks instantly?
Most of the apps listed in this article will allow you to cash a check instantly. However, prepare to pay a 2%–5% expedited fee depending on the type of check.

Ingo Money: Most Versatile App

There's a good reason Ingo is the most popular app in this category.

With Ingo, you can link your bank; prepaid, credit, or debit card; or PayPal account to deposit money. You can even split a check between accounts (for example, 50% to PayPal and 50% to a prepaid card).

You can also qualify for Ingo Gold Preferred Pricing if you cash checks frequently (at least six checks in the last 90 days).

• 3.9 stars on Google Play Store | 4.1 stars on App Store
  
• $5 fee for payroll or government checks $250 or less (2% for checks over $250)
  
• $5 fee for all other checks $100 or less (5% for checks over $100)

Don't want to use Ingo? Here are 5 alternatives:

• Venmo
  
• PayPal
  
• NetSpend
  
• CashApp
  
• Boost Mobile Wallet

Venmo: Best for ATM Access

You may be surprised to learn that Venmo is more than just a person-to-person payment app. If you sign up for a Venmo Debit Card or direct deposit, you can cash checks inside the app.

• 4.3 stars on Google Play Store | 4.9 stars on App Store
  
• 1% fee for payroll and government checks (5% fee for all other checks)
  
• No fee for 10-day approval option
  
• Fee-free ATM withdrawals at 30,000+ MoneyPass locations
  
• Earn cash back with Venmo debit Mastercard

How to cash a check on Venmo:

1. Download the Venmo app
   
2. Sign up for Venmo Debit Card or set up direct deposit
   
3. Go to top right drop-down menu
   
4. Select "Manage Balance"
   
5. Select "Cash a Check" and follow the prompts

PayPal: Most Trusted Cash Checking App

PayPal's check cashing service is another that is provided through First Century Bank and Ingo, but it provides a better fee structure and a more trusted name.

• 4.2 stars on Google Play Store | 4.8 stars on App Store
  
• 1% fee for payroll and government checks
  
• 5% fee for all other checks
  
• $5,000 maximum check amount
  
• Near-instant approval

Lodefast: Best for Akimbo Card Carriers

Important note: Lodefast is currently only available for Florida residents (with California coming soon), according to their website.

The Lodefast app by Lodestar Financial allows you to cash checks online to deposit into your linked bank account, debit card, any prepaid debit card, or Akimbo Card.

Like most other check-cashing services, there is a free option if you can wait 10 days for your deposit with the option for instant deposit with a modest fee.

ACE Flare: Best Nontraditional Bank Account

Provided through MetaBank, ACE Flare provides many of the same services you can receive at a traditional bank, such as check cashing, ATM access, a Visa debit card, and direct deposit. However, this is 100% a check-cashing app.

ACE uses First Century Bank, N.A. — the same provider as Brink's and Ingo. With an optional ACE savings account, you can even earn an absurd 6.0% APY on balances under $2,000.

• 3.9 stars on Google Play Store | 2.7 stars on App Store
  
• Fee-free cash withdrawals at 950 ACE locations in 23 U.S. states
  
• No charge for standard check cashing
  
• 2-5% expedited check cashing fee

NetSpend: Best for Prescription Purchases

Netspend, provided through Ingo, offers a fairly standard fee structure. However, customers can receive sizable discounts on prescription purchases on FDA-approved pharmaceutical medication with the Pharmacy Savings Card.

• 4.0 stars on Google Play Store | 2.7 stars on App Store
  
• 1% or $5 fee for payroll or government checks (whichever is greater)
  
• 4% or $5 fee for all other checks (whichever is greater)
  
• Up to 50% discount on FDA-approved pharmaceuticals

AnytimeCheck: Best for Businesses

With AnytimeCheck, business owners can get paid by customers by paper check without having to wait for the mail or visiting their bank to make a deposit.

• 3.6 stars on Google Play Store
  
• Basic Plan (20 checks): $1.75 per check
  
• Pro Plan (50 checks): $1.50 per check
  
• Premium Plan (150 checks): $1.25 per check

The Check Cashing Store: Most Simple App

You won't get a lot of frills with The Check Cashing Store — indicated by the name — but you will be able to deposit checks on your mobile device and send the money to a linked Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

The fee structure is not listed on the company website and customer service representatives will not disclose it over the phone. However, you can expect the standard fee schedule of between 1% and 5% for each check.

• 2.6 stars on App Store
  
• Only available to Florida residents
  
• Physical storefront locations available across the state

Waleteros: Best for People with Family in Central America

If you have relatives in Central America, Waleteros is the optimal pick for you. Waleteros offers one-time $0.99 transfers to various locations in Mexico, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua at the beginning of each month.

This app allows you to cash checks, receive your direct deposit, and send money with very few fees. There are no minimum account balances, no overdraft fees, and customers can enjoy over 20,000 nationwide fee-free ATM locations.

• 1.75% check cashing fee
  
• $0.75 charge for sending money to family and friends

Deposit2Go: Best Free Check Cashing Service

If you don't mind a retro-looking app that will bring you back to 2007, Deposit2Go offers fee-free check cashing for members of NCUA-insured GTE Financial.

• 3.3 stars on Google Play Store | 1.8 stars on App Store
  
• Free check cashing for GTE members
  
• Deposit up to $10,000 per day

Can You Cash a Check Instantly?

Yep! Many apps on this list (including Ingo, Venmo, and PayPal) allow you to access cash within minutes of submitting your request.

Unfortunately, these companies know instant deposit is in high demand. While they may not charge for 10-day check clearing, they almost always charge fees for expedited deposits.

Be aware that if your check does not clear, your deposit will be reversed, and you could face some steep overdraft fees or returned check fees. Make sure that you trust the check issuer before utilizing the instant deposit feature.

How long are you willing to wait for your funds to be available?

Where Can I Cash a Check Without Verification?

The only true way to cash a check with no bank account and no identification is to sign the check over to another person by signing the back and asking them to cash it for you.

If you have an ID card but no bank and do not want to download a check-cashing app, you can cash checks by visiting the bank that printed and issued the check, also known as the "bank of origin."

The Bottom Line: Should You Cash a Check with an App?

Check cashing apps are a quick and easy way to deposit your check money. If you're unbanked, prefer using prepaid cards, or just like the convenience of a check cashing app, the picks on this list are definitely worth checking out.

Keep in mind, if you need to deposit checks frequently or rely on expedited deposits, be careful of the fees you might incur. Even a modest 1% fee for payroll checks can add up.

Member FDIC

Chase Total Checking® - $200 Bonus

Expires 1/25/2023

• New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit
• Access to more than 16,000 Chase ATMs and more than 4,700 branches
• Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
• Open your account online now
• Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
• Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*

*With Chase Overdraft Assist℠, we won't charge an Insufficient Funds Fee if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day (you have until 11 PM ET (8 PM PT) to make a deposit or transfer). Chase Overdraft Assist does not require enrollment and comes with eligible Chase checking accounts.

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