William Lipovsky
Short Answer — Target accepts personal checks as payment for in-store purchases, but it doesn’t cash checks. To pay by check, you may need to show a photo ID and must pass verification through a third-party check service, Certegy. For more details about paying with a check at Target, see below.
Does Target Accept Checks?
Target accepts personal checks for payment at its stores. You can’t use checks for online purchases.[1]
To pay by check, you must pass Target’s check verification system (Certegy), and the cashier may ask you to show a photo ID.[2]
To find out more about Target’s check acceptance policy, we contacted the retailer’s customer service department and several store locations.
Want to know where else you can pay by check? See our complete list of stores that take checks.
Check Types
Target only accepts personal checks from U.S. bank accounts.[2]
It may accept business checks under some conditions but generally doesn’t accept them. It also doesn’t accept foreign checks, traveler’s checks, cashier’s checks, or other check types.[2]
Identification
When paying by check at Target, you may need to show a photo ID. Target will accept any state, federal, or military photo ID, including a valid driver’s license or state-issued, non-driver ID.[2]
There are no minimum purchase requirements or limits when paying by check.[2]
Check Verification
When using a check for payment at Target, you authorize Target to process the check electronically. Target processes checks through Certegy, a third-party risk management company.[2]
Certegy will analyze your check information against its risk models and approve or decline your check.[3]
If the electronic system declines your check at Target, you can contact Certegy at (800) 237-3826 for more information and to verify that your file is accurate.[4]
Certegy also offers a Declined Check Lookup feature where you can find out why your check was declined.
Have a negative Certegy file or an in-progress dispute about an error on your file? For other places to shop, see our list of stores that don’t use TeleCheck or Certegy.
Returned Checks
Target may deduct the funds from your account as early as the same day you use the check. If your account doesn’t have enough money to cover the check, Target will charge a $30 fee, which will be electronically deducted from your bank.[2]
In addition to the extra charges, writing a check with insufficient funds may stop Target from accepting your checks for future orders.[2]
It’s best to be sure you have enough funds to cover your purchase before paying by check.
Does Target Cash Checks?
Target doesn’t cash payroll checks, personal checks, or other types of checks, customer service representatives said.
Target also doesn’t offer financial services like check cashing or money orders.
To find other stores that do cash checks, see our list of grocery stores that cash checks.
I have a cheque made out to Target Moree. Can I use this cheque at other Target locations/stores ?
Hi Damien,
Technically, the check must be written out in front of the cashier. So technically, no, you check will not work. However, if you explain your situation the store may make an exception. I’d check with the manager and the specific location you want to patronize before doing your shopping.