Can You Cash a Check With a Social Security Card? ID Rules Explained

A Social Security card isn’t a valid form of ID for check cashing. This is because Social Security cards can easily be stolen and are targets for identity theft.

While many grocery stores, check cashing stores, and other check cashing locations may require a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) in order to cash a check, they always require a form of photo ID as well.

Acceptable Forms of ID

In most cases, you’ll be required to provide a current, valid government-issued photo identification in order to cash a check.

Accepted forms of this type of ID include:

• Driver’s license or photo learner’s permit
• State‐issued non-driver ID
• Military ID
• Permanent resident or resident alien card (green card)
• Matricula consular ID
• U.S.-issued passport
• Tribal ID

As a general rule, the only time you would use a non-government issued ID is if the business where you’re cashing a check requires that you show TWO forms of ID. In that case, the first ID must be a government-issued photo ID, but the second usually just needs to have your name and maybe other corroborating personal information. Other forms of ID that may be accepted as second IDs include:

• Photo IDs from employers or schools
• A credit or debit card with your name on it
• An official piece of mail with your name and current address, like a utility bill
• A Social Security card, birth certificate, or other identifying government document that does not have a photo of you

ID Requirements by Check Cashing Places

Banks

Banks usually have different ID requirements for account holders and non-customers. If you have a bank account, your bank won’t typically require that you show ID in order to cash checks — you’ll probably just need your account number. However, if you’re a non-customer, you’ll likely need to show a government-issued photo ID and you may have to pay a check cashing fee.

Here’s the list of major banks and their ID requirements for cashing checks if you’re a non-customer.

Bank of America

• ID requirements for non-customers: Two forms of ID, including one current government-issued photo ID. Acceptable second forms include debit card, credit card, and utility bill.
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: $8 for each check
• Source: Bank of America financial center FAQ and customer service
• Find your nearest Bank of America

BB&T Bank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: For checks drawn on BB&T Bank: free up to $50; $8 for checks over $50. Non-customers cannot cash checks that weren’t issued by BB&T.
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest BB&T Bank

Chase Bank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: $8 for each check
• Source: Customer service
• Find out more in our article: Chase Bank Check Cashing Policy: Limits, Fees, Hours, More
• Find your nearest Chase Bank

Citibank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: For checks drawn on Citibank: free up to $5,000. Check cashing fees vary for checks over $5,000 and non-Citibank checks
• Source: Customer service
• Find out more in our article: Citibank Check Cashing FAQ: “Where Can I Cash a Citibank Check?”
• Find your nearest Citibank

Fifth Third Bank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Two forms of ID, including one current government-issued photo ID. Acceptable second forms include debit card, credit card, and utility bill.
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: 1% of the total check amount; maximum $4 fee
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest Fifth Third Bank

HSBC

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: Free for HSBC personal checks. For all other checks, $3 for up to $100; $5 for checks over $100
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest HSBC

KeyBank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers:
  • Regular KeyBank branches: $7 for each check
  • KeyBank Plus Centers: 1.5% of the check amount
• Source: KeyBank Plus Check Cashing page and customer service
• Find your nearest KeyBank or KeyBank Plus

M&T Bank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: 3% of the total check amount; minimum $3 fee
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest M&T Bank

PNC Bank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: Free for checks drawn on PNC Bank. Non-customers cannot cash checks that weren’t issued by PNC.
• Source: PNC Bank Fee Schedule
• Find your nearest PNC Bank

Regions Bank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Free Regions Now card required for cashing checks. To get a Regions Now card, you’ll need a current government-issued photo ID, valid Social Security number and email address, and a funding source (either a debit card, credit card, or checking account). Apply for the Regions Now card.
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: 1%-5% of the total check amount, depending on the type of check being cashed
• Source: Regions Now Banking Check Cashing page
• Find your nearest Regions Bank

SunTrust Bank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: $7 for each check drawn on SunTrust; 1% to 3% of total check amount for non-SunTrust checks
• Source: SunTrust Bank Cash Checks Services page
• Find your nearest SunTrust Bank

TD Bank

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: $7 for each check
• Source: TD Bank help center
• Find your nearest TD Bank

Wells Fargo

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees for non-customers: $7.50 for each check
• Source: Wells Fargo Community
• Find out more in our article: Wells Fargo Check Cashing Policy for Non Account Holders + Holders
• Find your nearest Wells Fargo

Check Cashing Companies

Here’s the list of major check cashing stores, along with their ID requirements for cashing checks.

ACE Cash Express

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check type, and check amount
• Source: Check Cashing at ACE and customer service
• Find your nearest ACE Cash Express

Check Into Cash

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check type, and check amount
• Source: Check Cashing page of the Check Into Cash website and customer service
• Find your nearest Check Into Cash

Check ’N Go

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Starting at 1.99% of the check amount
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest Check ’N Go

Community Financial Service Center

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check type, and check amount
• Source: CFSC Check Cashing Service page and customer service
• Find your nearest CFSC

Money Mart

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check type, and check amount
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest Money Mart

Mr. Payroll

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location, check type, and check amount
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest Mr. Payroll

PLS Check Cashing

• Please see our article about the PLS Check Cashing Details.

Speedy Cash

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Starting at $2
• Source: Speedy Cash Check Cashing page and customer service
• Find your nearest Speedy Cash

United Check Cashing

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: See this article for information on United Check Cashing’s fees.
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest United Check Cashing

Grocery Stores

If you’d like to cash your check at a grocery store, the following list will help you determine what type of ID you’ll need in order to cash checks at these locations.

Albertsons

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location
• Source: Customer service
• Find your nearest Albertsons
• Find out more in our article: Albertsons Check Cashing and Money Order Policies

Food Lion

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Vary by state
• Source: Food Lion Customer Service Policies and Guarantees
• Find your nearest Food Lion

Hannaford

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID. You must apply for check cashing privileges at any Hannaford location, and approval takes around five business days to process.
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location
• Source: Hannaford Check Cashing
• Find your nearest Hannaford

Hy-Vee

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location
• Source: Customer service
• Find out more in our article: Hy-Vee Check Cashing FAQ: Does Hy-Vee Cash Payroll Checks? etc
• Find your nearest Hy-Vee

Kroger

Note: The Kroger family of stores includes Baker’s, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food, King Soopers, Ralphs, and Smith’s. Check cashing rules are the same at all of these stores but if you need to find out specifics, select any one of those hyperlinks to go to a page where we’ve written about that store in great detail.

• ID requirements for check cashing: Current government-issued photo ID and a valid Social Security number
• Check cashing fees: $3 for checks up to $2,000; $5.50 for checks over $2,000 up to $5,000
• Source: Kroger Money Services page
• Find out more in our article: The Kroger Check Cashing Policy, Plain and Simple
• Find your nearest Kroger

Publix

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: $3 to $6 depending on check amount and location
• Source: Publix Customer Service FAQs
• Find out more in our article: Publix Money Order and Publix Check Cashing Policies
• Find your nearest Publix

Safeway

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: $2.25 for every $200 cashed. Fees may vary by location.
• Source: Customer service
• Find out more in our article: Safeway Check Cashing FAQ, Gift Card Balance Check, Money Orders
• Find your nearest Safeway

Shaw’s

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• and valid Social Security number
• Check cashing fees: Vary by location
• Source: Customer service
• Find out more in our article: Shaw’s Check Cashing Policy: Which Types of Checks Can Be Cashed and More
• Find your nearest Shaw’s

Walmart

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: $3 for checks $1,000 or less; $6 for checks $1,000+ but Walmart will not cash checks of $5,000 or greater.
• Source: Walmart In-Store Check Cashing page
• Find out more in our article: Walmart Check Cashing Policy: Hours, Limit, Fees, and More
• Find your nearest Walmart

Winn-Dixie

• ID requirements for non-customers: Current government-issued photo ID
• Check cashing fees: $3.50 for each check
• Source: Customer service
• Find out more in our article: Winn-Dixie Check Cashing and Money Order FAQ: Limit, Provider
• Find your nearest Winn-Dixie