William Lipovsky
Publix will only cash personal and payroll checks, and you’ll pay a fee of around $2 to $7 per check.[1]
Below, you’ll find more details on Publix’s check cashing policy, including the fees, limits, and requirements.
Publix Check Cashing Policy
Publix stores will only cash personal and payroll checks.[2][1]
You can’t cash a tax return check, rebate check, settlement check, utility deposit check, or other types at Publix. The only exception to this policy is that it will cash dividend checks for Publix employees.[1]
I contacted Publix stores in Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia and reviewed the company’s policy documentation online to find out more about what you can expect when cashing a check.
Fees & Limits
Publix’s check cashing fees vary depending on the check type and amount.[1]
Personal checks cannot exceed $75 and come with a $2 to $3 fee.[1]
The largest payroll check Publix will cash is at the discretion of the store manager; some stores implement limits ranging from $800 to $999. Fees range from around $2 to $7.[1]
Requirements
You must show a driver’s license, state ID, or military ID when cashing a check at Publix.[2][1]
The store processes checks electronically through the third-party check verification company Certegy.[3][1]
Want to avoid Certegy verification? See the list of check cashing places that don’t use Certegy.
Alternatives
Tip: If you need to cash a check that exceeds Publix’s limits and you don’t have a bank account, businesses dedicated to providing money services, such as Check Into Cash, are generally able to cash larger checks.[4]
Some banks will cash checks for non-customers; to find out which ones offer this service, see the list of banks that cash checks even if you don’t have an account.
There may also be another grocery store in your area that has lower fees, accepts different check types, or has higher check cashing limits than Publix.
Compare your options using the list of grocery stores that cash checks.
FAQ
No, there is no limit to the number of checks Publix will cash, as long as each check doesn’t exceed the individual check size limit.[1]
You can cash a check at Publix during its regular store hours. Most stores are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., seven days a week.[5][1]
There are various reasons Publix might not be able to cash a check, from a glitch in the system to a canceled check. Since Certegy processes checks and ultimately accepts or rejects them, Publix is unable to provide customers with an explanation when it can’t cash a check.[1]
Publix will give you Certegy’s contact information so you can find out the problem.[1] You can also use Certegy’s Declined Check Lookup feature.
In Summary
You can cash a personal or payroll check at your local Publix for a fee of about $2 to $7, depending on the check type.[1]
There is a $75 limit for personal checks; payroll check limits vary by store location at the manager’s discretion.[1]
You must provide a valid ID, and Certegy will validate your check before Publix will cash it.[1]
If you have questions or you’d like to share your own experiences with check cashing at Publix, feel free to add them in the comments section below.
