Your own bank is the most common, and obvious, place to cash a payroll check. However, when going to a bank isn’t an option, there are plenty of other places to cash payroll checks. Banks will usually cash checks for non account holders if the check is drawn on the bank (i.e., who ever wrote it has their account at the bank). Grocery stores commonly offer check cashing services for nominal fees. And, there are check cashing or payday loan stores, which cash almost all types of checks, but have higher fees. Here’s the list, so you can find the best place for you.
What about a handwritten paycheck? It’s harder to find a place to cash your check if its handwritten — a handwritten check is considered riskier. But, there are still many places that will do it, and we’ve noted them as well.
In This Article
- Banks That Cash Payroll Checks
- Grocery Stores That Cash Payroll Checks
- Department Stores That Cash Payroll Checks
- Check Cashing Stores That Cash Payroll Checks
- Places That Don’t Cash ANY Checks
Banks That Cash Payroll Checks
Keep in mind that to cash a payroll check at a bank, you will typically either need an account at that bank, or the check must be drawn on an account at that bank. If you’re an account holder, you won’t be charged anything for cashing a check. If you’re a non-account holder, there may be a fee.
1. Bank of America
- Types of checks: Varies by location, call ahead
- Maximum check amount: Usually up to $500 for non-account holders
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: $6 for non-account holders
- Hours: Varies by location, but typically closed Sunday.
- See the above and more on the Bank of America website
- Find a Bank of America
2. Capital One
- Types of checks: Any type of check, as long as you have an account at Capital One or the check is drawn from a Capital One account
- Maximum check amount: Varies by location
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: No fees for checks under $100; $7 for checks over $100
- Hours: Most branches are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
- See the above and more on the Capital One website
- Find a Capital One
3. Chase
- Types of checks: Any type of check, as long as the customer has an account at Chase or the check is drawn from a Chase account.
- Maximum check amount: Usually $1,500; some branches will cash larger checks
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID, and a second ID if your check is for more than $1,500
- Fee: $8 per check for non-account holders
- Hours: Most branches are open 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays
- See the above and more on the Chase website
- Find a Chase Bank
- Find out more in our article: Chase Bank Check Cashing Policy: Limits, Fees, Hours, More
4. Citibank
- Types of checks: Any type of check, as long as the customer has an account at Citibank or the check is drawn from a Citibank account.
- Maximum check amount: $500 for checks not drawn on Citibank, the bank retains discretion to refuse these checks; $5,000 for checks drawn on Citibank
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: None
- Hours: Most stores are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
- See the above and more on the Citibank website
- Find a Citibank
- Find out more in our article: Citibank Check Cashing FAQ: “Where Can I Cash a Citibank Check?”
5. Fifth Third Bank
- Types of checks: Payroll, personal, government, tax, and cashier checks
- Maximum check amount: Usually up to $500 for non-account holders
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: 1% of the check amount with a $4 maximum. We got this info by contacting Fifth Third customer service and is not disclosed on the Fifth Third website.
- Hours: Many branches open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
- Seethe above and more on the Fifth Third Bank website
- Find a Fifth Third
6. First National Bank
- Types of checks: Payroll, personal, government, tax, and cashier checks
- Maximum check amount: Varies by branch
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: Fees for non-members may vary by branch
- Hours: Many branches are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
- See the above and more on the First National Bank website.
- Find a First National
7. HSBC
- Types of checks: Payroll, personal, government, tax, and cashier checks
- Maximum check amount: Varies by branch
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: Varies by branch
- Hours: Many branches are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
- See the above and more on the HSBC website
- Find a HSBC
8. SunTrust Bank
- Types of checks: Personal, payroll, government, tax, cashier, and more
- Maximum check amount: Varies by branch
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: Check cashing fees are 1-3% of the value of the check, depending on the type of check
- Hours: Many branches are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
- See the above and more on the SunTrust Bank website
- Find a SunTrust
9. TD Bank
- Types of checks: Payroll, personal, government, tax, and cashier checks
- Maximum check amount: Varies by branch
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: $7 per check for non-account holders
- Hours: Many branches are open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
- See the above and more on the TD Bank website
- Find a TD Bank
10. U.S. Bank
- Types of checks: Any type of check, as long as the customer has an account at U.S. Bank or the check is drawn from a U.S. Bank account.
- Maximum check amount: Varies by branch
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: $5 per check for non-account holders
- Hours: Most stores are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
- See the above and more on the U.S. Bank website
- Find a US Bank
11. Wells Fargo
- Types of checks: Any type of check, as long as you have an account at Wells Fargo or the check is drawn from a Wells Fargo account.
- Maximum check amount: $2,500
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID, you may be asked for a second ID as well
- Fee: $7.50 per check for non-account holders
- Hours: Most stores are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
- Find out more in our article: Wells Fargo Check Cashing Policy for Non Account Holders + Holders
- Find a Wells Fargo
Grocery Stores That Cash Payroll Checks
Many grocery stores offer check cashing services, including payroll check cashing. Grocery stores are a convenient place to cash payroll checks because you can cash your check at the same time that you’re doing your grocery shopping. You will need a government-issued photo ID any time you cash a check, and at grocery stores, you will sometimes need additional forms of identification or the store’s rewards card. Here are grocery stores where you can cash your payroll checks.
13. Albertsons
- Types of checks: Electronically signed checks (government, payroll, etc). No handwritten checks
- Maximum check amount: $1,000
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: Varies by location
- Hours: Most stores are open daily from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Find out more in our article: Albertsons Check Cashing and Money Order Policies
- Find an Albertsons
14. Food City
- Types of checks: Payroll checks, U.S. government checks, and rebate checks on the store-approved list
- Maximum check amount: $1,000
- Requirements: A government issued photo ID
- Fee: $3
- Hours: Usually 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. but varies somewhat by location.
- Find out more in our article: Food City Check Cashing and Money Order Policies: Hours, Fees, Limits
- Find a Food City
15. Food Lion
- Types of checks: Payroll checks, government checks, travelers checks. No handwritten checks.
- Maximum check amount: Payroll and government up to $1,000; traveler’s up to $500
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID and SSN or ITIN
- Fee: Varies by store
- Hours: Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day at most stores.
- Find out more in our article: Does Food Lion Cash Checks? Yes. But Here’s What Else to Know
- Find a Food Lion location
16. Hannaford
- Types of checks: Government, payroll and pension checks that are considered regular income
- Maximum check amount: Varies by store
- Requirements: A government issued photo ID; sign up for check cashing privileges, applications can take about five days to be approved
- Fee: Varies by store
- Hours: Usually 6 or 7 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.
- See more on Hannaford’s check cashing page
- Find a Hannaford
17. Kroger
Note: Kroger owns King Soopers, Ralphs, Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry’s Food, and more. We’ve confirmed that the same Kroger check cashing policy applies to all of these stores.
- Types of checks: Payroll checks, government checks, business checks, tax return checks, and insurance checks. No handwritten checks.
- Maximum check amount: $5,000
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID and SSN or ITIN
- Fee: $3 for checks up to $2,000 or $5 for checks from $2,001 to $5,000.
- Hours: Most stores open 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. every day.
- Find out more in our article: Does Kroger Take Checks? How Does Kroger Process Checks? Explained
- Find a Kroger location (the search will also return other Kroger family stores)
18. Price Chopper
- Types of checks: Payroll checks
- Maximum check account: Ranges from $350 to $940, depending on your check cashing privileges
- Requirements: A government issued photo ID and an AdvantEdge Card with activated check cashing privileges
- Fees: None
- Hours: Most Price Chopper stores are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
- Find out more in our article: Price Chopper Check Cashing? They Do It but Not for Everyone
- Find a Price Chopper location
19. Publix
- Types of checks: Payroll checks and personal checks
- Maximum check amount: Varies by store
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID and SSN or ITIN
- Fee: Varies by store
- Hours: Most stores open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
- Find out more in our article: Publix Money Order and Publix Check Cashing Policies
- Find a Publix location
20. Safeway
- Types of checks: Non-personal, printed checks (government, payroll, etc.)
- Maximum check amount: $1,499
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: $2.25 for every $200 cashed
- Hours: Check cashing services are at the customer service desk, which typically closes at 7 p.m..
- Find out more in our article: Safeway Check Cashing FAQ, Gift Card Balance Check, Money Orders
- Find a Stop and Shop location
21. Shaw’s
- Types of checks: Payroll checks, government checks
- Maximum check amount: $1,500
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: Varies by store
- Hours: Most stores are open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
- Find out more in our article: Shaw’s Check Cashing Policy: Which Types of Checks Can Be Cashed and More
- Find a Shaw’s location
22. Stop and Shop
- Types of checks: Payroll checks, government checks
- Maximum check amount: Varies by store
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: Varies by store
- Hours: Some are open 24 hours.
- See the above and more on the Stop and Shop website.
- Find a Stop and Shop location
23. Tops Friendly Market
- Types of checks: Payroll checks, some government checks. No handwritten checks.
- Maximum check amount: Usually $500
- Requirement: A government issued photo ID
- Fee: $1
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. or 12 a.m. typically. Some are 24 hours.
- Find out more in our article: Tops Check Cashing Hours and More!
- Find a Tops Friendly Market
24. WinCo
- Types of checks: Payroll checks. No handwritten checks.
- Maximum check amount: $1,000
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID and SSN or ITIN
- Fee: A $5 token will be taken as a fee to cash checks up to $500; a $10 token fee will be incurred on checks up to $1,000. You can later redeem these tokens on WinCo purchases.
- Hours: Most stores open 24 hours every day.
- See the above and more on the WinCo website
- Find a WinCo location
25. Winn-Dixie
- Types of checks: Some locations cash payroll checks. No handwritten checks.
- Maximum check amount: $500
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: $3.50
- Hours: Usually 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Find out more in our article: Winn-Dixie Check Cashing and Money Order FAQ: Limit, Provider
- Find a Winn-Dixie store
Department Stores That Cash Payroll Checks
A few department stores offer check cashing services.
26. Walmart
- Types of checks: Government checks, tax checks, cashiers’ checks, insurance checks, and 401(k) checks. No handwritten checks.
- Maximum check amount: $5,000
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: $3 for checks up to $1,000 and $6 for checks over $1,000.
- Hours: Many locations open 24 hours every day.
- Find out more in our article: Does Walmart Cash Payroll Checks?
- Find a Walmart location
27. Kmart
- Types of checks: Government checks, payroll checks
- Maximum check amount: $2,000
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: $1 or less
- Hours: Most stores open 24 hours every day.
- See the above and more on the Kmart website
- Find a Kmart location
Check Cashing Stores That Cash Payroll Checks
Check cashing stores should be your last option — they almost always have the highest fees. Also, they rarely publish a fee schedule, so you’ll often have to visit a local store to find out current rates.
28. ACE Cash Express
- Types of checks: Payroll, government, personal, tax refund, and insurance settlement checks
- Maximum check amount: None
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: Rates vary
- Hours: Most stores open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday.
- See the above and more on the ACE Cash Express website
- Find a ACE Cash Express location
29. Check Into Cash
- Types of checks: Payroll checks, government checks, tax refunds, and cashier’s checks
- Maximum check amount: Varies
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: $6 for non-account holders
- Hours: Most stores open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
- See the above and more on the check cashing page of the Check Into Cash website
- Find a Check Into Cash location
30. Speedy Cash
- Types of checks: Payroll, government, tax return, bonus, insurance, benefit, unemployment, student loan, settlement, bank draft, 401(k) and IRA, loan, and cashiers checks
- Maximum check amount: None
- Requirements: A government issued, photo ID
- Fee: Rates vary
- Hours: Most stores open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
- See the above and more on the Speedy Cash website
- Find a Speedy Cash location.
Places That Don’t Cash ANY Checks
Payroll checks are among the least risky checks to cash, so almost any store that cashes checks will cash a payroll check. But, just so there’s no confusion, here are some stores you still might be wondering about, that in fact offer no check cashing services:
- 7-Eleven
- ALDI
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Costco
- CVS
- Dollar General
- Food 4 Less
- Gelson’s
- Heinen’s
- MoneyGram
- JayC Foods
- Sam’s Club
- Speedway
- Vons
- Walgreens
- Whole Foods
In Summary
Armed with this information, you are ready to find the right place to cash a payroll check. Your own bank is the best bet, but if you don’t have one or can’t get there, there are many other options. Try the bank on which the check is drawn, your local grocery store, or a check cashing store. If you need to cash a personal check, instead of a payroll check, see our article, 26 Places That Cash Personal Checks. Need a check cashed at midnight? Here is a list of places that do 24 Hour Check Cashing.