William Lipovsky
Short Answer — Walmart accepts personal checks as payment at regular registers, but not at self-checkout or for online orders. To pay by check, you’ll need to show a photo ID and pass third-party check verification through TeleCheck or Certegy. For more details of the Walmart check writing policy, see below.
Walmart Personal Check Writing Policy
All Walmart stores accept personal checks as payment at the register.[1]
However, you can’t use a personal check to pay for a Walmart.com order[2] or make purchases at self-checkout. Self-checkout machines don’t have the capability to scan checks or verify your ID.[1]
If you recently opened your bank account, note that Walmart doesn’t accept starter checks (as previously reported). See our related research for more stores that take checks.
To find out more about Walmart’s personal check writing policy, we contacted the retailer’s corporate customer service department and stores in Delaware, Tennessee, and Washington.
Requirements
To write a check at Walmart, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:[1]
You must provide identification.
You’ll need to show a government-issued, valid photo ID. The cashier may also ask for your phone number.
Walmart accepts the following forms of ID:
- Driver’s licenses
- State ID cards
- Military IDs
- U.S. passports
- Foreign passports (at the manager’s discretion)
Your name must be on the check.
To prevent check fraud, Walmart will only accept your check if the name on the check matches the name on your ID.
If your name is on the account but doesn’t appear on the check, you won’t be able to use it. Exceptions can be made for business checks, but not personal checks.
Your check must pass third-party verification.
Walmart stores use TeleCheck or Certegy to assess risk when accepting checks. The third-party verification system may deny your check, in which case you’ll need to pay with a different method.
Note that it makes no difference whether you’re paying with an in-state or out-of-state check. If you’re traveling outside of your home state and need to use a check at Walmart, the requirements and process will be the same as in your state of residence.[1]
Limits
There is no maximum number of checks that you can write per day at Walmart.[1]
However, note that your bank or credit union might impose a limit. Some accounts have check-writing limits or daily spending limits in their account agreements; banks may also freeze your ability to write checks as a fraud protection measure.[3][4]
Limits vary by account, but in general, if you plan to write more than five checks in one day, it’s best to check with your financial institution ahead of time.
Verification
As noted above, Walmart will use either TeleCheck or Certegy to verify your check — most locations use TeleCheck.[5]
These companies are the largest providers of check verification services for retail, so if you often pay by check at stores, you likely have an active TeleCheck and/or Certegy file.
Walmart will run every check you write through third-party verification. By paying with a check, you consent to have your check processed this way.
TeleCheck or Certegy will run the check information (account number, routing number, transaction amount, etc.) against its database to determine whether the check would be risky for the retailer to accept.[6][7]
Check verification helps Walmart avoid accepting bad checks and reduces check fraud, but TeleCheck or Certegy may also decline your check for reasons not related to fraud.
For example, a bank account number not seen by TeleCheck before can lead to a decline.[8]
If Walmart does decline your check after verification, both TeleCheck and Certegy offer declined check lookup services online so you can find out why.
Cash Back
Walmart allows you to get up to $20 cash back when paying by personal check.[1]
Make the check out for up to $20 more than the purchase price; after the cashier verifies the check, you’ll receive $20 cash back.
Before writing your check, you may want to ask the cashier to be sure there’s enough cash on hand at that specific register.
If you need more than $20 cash back, it’s best to pay with a debit card. See our related research for more on getting cash back at Walmart.
Processing
When Walmart processes your check electronically, the money may deduct from your bank account the same day;[1] however, the funds will usually transfer from your bank account within one to two business days.[9]
Walmart doesn’t accept postdated checks.[1]
Returned Checks
If there isn’t enough money in your bank account at the time you write a check, you’ll be charged a $35 returned check fee. Walmart will deduct both the returned check fee and the original payment amount from your bank account electronically.[1]
You agree to this policy when you sign your receipt at the checkout, so you’ll be responsible for the fee (and any fees charged by your bank) if you write a bad check.
How many checks can you write in a day?
Hi Jenni,
According to Walmart and its relationship with TeleCheck (the company that processes the checks), there is no limit to the number of checks a person can write. However, your bank/credit union may impose a limit. So that’s where your concerns could be validated. However, it really shouldn’t be an issue.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
My mom is elderly and has just moved into a nursing home in Massachusetts (she moved from NH). She has lost her NH driver’s license and Social Security card. Can she write a check at a Massachusetts WalMart with her passport as ID?
Hi Mary,
I’m happy to report that yes, Walmart accepts U.S. Passports as one of the forms of ID that can be used for validating a check. I also called Walmart corporate to confirm.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
Hey if a family member writes me a personal check,but I want to shop online can I use the check as payment for a pre paid visa or gift card?
Hi J.G,
You can turn it into a third party check and yes, buy a prepaid Visa card or a gift card with the check. Or you can cash the check first at one of these 18 stores that cash personal checks.
i have no food in my house and i dont get paid until the 30th of the month and its now the 16th if i write a check today how long will it take get to the bank. the checking account is active theres just no money until the 30th will it go thru
Hi Jessi,
Walmart communicates with your bank as soon as the check is scanned. If it’s accepted and you don’t have money in your account, you’ll go into overdraft right away. The bank does not wait for the check to clear.
My SS is deposited/available on 2nd Wednesday each month. Is a check written Tuesday prior cleared on Wednesday?
Hello,
The check is cleared at the same time the Walmart cashier scans it through the Telecheck machine – just after you write the check. There’s buffer between the time you pay with check and the time Walmart looks to see if the funds are available.
So i wrote a check to walmart thinking i was going to get a deposit coming in to cover it. Its not coming now for a month and my check bounced and i got charged a fee. I was only charhed the fee though. Not gor what i bought! I want to make sure i pay them and that i dont get in trouble! What do i do because i do not get paid for a month!
Hi Caity,
Telecheck handles these issues for Walmart. Contact Telecheck and explain your situation. Since you’ve caught this problem early, it’s not a big deal. All will be corrected soon. Though make sure not to try to write checks at other stores as Telecheck is quite prevalent so you will be denied and those stores right away.
I have a check printed to me from out of state bank andkvi was wondering if I could use it to shop for things at Walmart and pay with this check.
Hi Benjamin,
Since the check is made out to you and not Walmart, you cannot pay Walmart directly. You will need to cash the check before using it at Walmart. And since it’s a personal check, Walmart will not cash it. To find another place to cash the check besides Walmart, check out this list of stores that cash checks and banks that cash checks to noncustomers.
Let me know if you have any follow-up questions.
I wrote a check to Walmart an it got returned to them from my bank what do I do? Now will I got to jail or what will I do the Walmart in my town said they don’t deal with that so what can I do
Hi Cheyanne,
It’s true, you won’t be dealing with Walmart. What happens now is the company Walmart uses for check processing, Telecheck, will get in touch with you using the contact information they have gathered from your associated checking account. So expect contact via one or more of the forms of communication you have listed on your checking account. Or, contact them directly and get the situation resolved. You won’t be able to write another check to any store which uses the Telecheck system until this is resolved. Next, contact your bank/credit union and ask for your overdraft fee to be forgiven. Simply ask and as long as you don’t overdraft often, it will likely be waived. Do what you can to get more money into the account. So it’s a bit of a balance between getting your bank account back up and communicating with Telecheck to let them know when you can get your payment resolved. Also note that Telecheck will likely charge a returned-check fee. But no, you will not be going to jail. Though if you don’t pay Telecheck, they will submit your payment to collections. That will hurt your credit score which will bring future problems. But for right now, you’re not in too much of a mess. Just get money into your checking account quickly and you’ll be just fine. If you have a follow-up question, fire away.
Thanks so much! I will get in contact with them…. My bank was suppose to cover it but didn’t so my mistake! Thank you an I have so much stress relived off my back!
No problem! If your bank was supposed to cover the overdraft, make sure to let them know so you can for sure get the overdraft fee waived. It only takes a second and will save you around $30.
I would like to purchase items in-store for our Boy Scout troop using a check from our troop’s account. The troop’s name and address are listed on the check, and not my name (although I am an authorized signor on the account). Will the Walmart store accept this check? Is this considered a business check?
Hi Kevin,
Smart question. No, you do not have to have your name on the check to use it. But you do need to have a driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, or a social security card and a picture ID. What happens is the Walmart cashier will run the check and your ID information through Telecheck. Telecheck will match your ID with the associated bank account to ensure you’re an authorized user. If you are, the check will clear. The process is pretty slick. So just make sure to have one of the forms of ID listed above and you’ll be good to go. Happy camping!
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
Update: I stopped at the customer service desk first to inquire about using a check from our troop’s business checking account for a purchase, and they required that I present an ID that showed I was a member of the organization. I have a BSA member card but didn’t have it on me, and I’m not even sure that card lists the troop or not. In any case, it never got to the point of having Telecheck validate the check or that I am an authorized signor on the account. It’s a bit frustrating that Walmart doesn’t post their policies about this on their web site.
Are you saying you were able to pay with the check without your name on it without presenting one of the accepted forms of ID (or any ID at all)?
Sorry, I’m saying that they would not accept my check unless I could present some form of ID proving that I was from that organization. I told them that Telecheck would show that 1) there are sufficient funds in the account and 2) that I was an authorized signor on the account. They still wouldn’t accept the check without specific ID from the troop. So I cashed the check for cash at our bank and went to a different Walmart. One thing that annoyed me is that no one really knew their policy, and the customer service reps told me that each cashier does it different. I told them that they should all be enforcing the Walmart policy the same way and they told me that doesn’t always happen, which annoyed me even more. It was one of my worst experiences in a Walmart store.
Hi Kevin,
I think it’s Walmart’s low pay combined with its high turnover that leads to these frustrating moments. You’re right, each Walmart employee should operate under the exact same guidelines as another. Having to show your troop ID is bizarre.
Can you pay with a check at the self checkout stand?
No you cannot use a check at a Walmart self-checkout.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
If i have had a returned fee from another store and it was satisfied will telecheck deny my check if i have an overdraft plan with my account?
Hi Katie,
Absolutely not. First, because your previous check was satisfied. Second, because since you have overdraft protection (as long as the overdraft limit is at least as great as your purchase) your bank will ‘tell’ Telecheck that the funds are available (even if they aren’t coming from your account at the moment) and the check can clear. Telecheck is in the business of clearing checks so the only time a check won’t clear is if the company is concerned it will never get paid. You’re good to go. If you have any other questions, ask away!
I have a starter check my name is not on it but I have ID I’m waiting on my new checks to arrive but my bank have me a few start up checks can I use it.
Hi Susan,
Unfortunately Walmart does not accept starter checks in any way, shape or form. I’m sorry I cannot cite this via an online source as one does not exist but inside each Walmart there’s a sign next to the service desk that displays this information. I wish I could offer better news! If you have any followup questions, don’t hesitate to ask another!
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
I’ve used a starter check no problem! Hmmm
Can you get a alert on your email if you have a check comes back, how long does it take before you get a letter in mail about the check who do you pay & how long have you got to pay it
Hi Curious Customer,
Wise question. Here’s how the payment process works after a check bounces. You write a bad check to Walmart, Walmart gets paid via their check processor (Telecheck) so now you owe Telecheck. Telecheck passes it off to their collection agency (TRS Recovery Services). The collection agency uses the information associated with your checking account to get in touch with you. The forms of communication listed is a physical address and a phone number. You can’t get an email as that information isn’t associated with your checking account. They send a letter to you within a week requesting the funds. They also call you simultaneously requesting the funds. The fees/time frame for all of this vary from state-to-state. Know too that you cannot write a check to any other store that uses Telecheck until this check is satisfied. Unfortunately, Telecheck does not reveal a list of associated companies. If you would like to get in touch with TRS Recovery Services as soon as possible, they can be reached at 1-800-366-1049 (since they are a collection agency – they tend to answer the phone very quickly).
Again, great question. If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to ask another.
Hello, my Grandmother Needs me to pick up a few things for her, I am on her account but not listed on the check ,can she send me with a check to pick up her things?
Hi Corrine,
After getting a definitive answer from Walmart Corporate, no, you cannot use her check – even if your name is on her account. Your name must be listed on the check and you must present ID.
Walmart does not ask for id when presenting a check
Hi Pam,
While Walmart’s official policy requires that you show your ID when cashing a check, it seems like this rule is not always enforced and that some people have had luck cashing a check without showing ID. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This is not when cashing a check. This is when buying items and presenting a check. The only time that id is asked is if the checking account has never been used before at Walmart. Not asking for id from customers leaves both Walmart and the customer open to fraud
Hi Pam,
You’re right, and the ID policy is supposed to apply to paying with a check as well as cashing a check. Unfortunately, Walmart seems to be enforcing this policy inconsistently. We’ve had a few people comment here and say that Walmart didn’t ask for an ID.
Hi, I wrote a check to Walmart and it was returned but has been put thru and again and paid infull. how long does it usually clear the store so that I would be able to right a check again.
Hi Margo,
Great question – we’d hate to have you embarrassed at checkout. As long as the former check has been paid in full (and the resulting fee), you can keep writing checks at Walmart without issue. If for any reason you have an issue, call Telecheck (888 905 3388) and get them to remove your name from their no payment database. But again, you shouldn’t have an issue.
I wrote a bad check to Walmart thinking there had been a payment sent to my bank account. Not until after I made the purchase at Walmart did I find out the payment was in the mail and had not been put in my account. So how many times will they send the check back and forth from the bank and how many times will I be changed just from Walmart in addition to the bank
Hi Laura,
First, Walmart will attempt to debit your checking account. If they are unsuccessful, you will be charged $35 and they will wait 2 days and then run the check again. If it still doesn’t go through, it’s turned over to Telecheck to collect. You will also have the bank account overdraft fee which is typically about $30. Getting a bank overdraft fee waived is usually pretty simple (read the linked article to learn how). So once from Walmart, once from your bank (ask for forgiveness) and possibly an additional fee from Telecheck. Telecheck can be reached at 888 905 3388.
Telechek 888 905 3388
I have written a check to Walmart and it came back it’s been over 6 months how long after that can I write a check to Walmart or am I not allowed to write anymore checks to Walmart they were all paid
Hi Julie,
Walmart will accept checks from you. Because as long as your past checks and any associated fees have been paid, and it has been at least 10 days (probationary period), in the eyes of Walmart, you’ve never written a bad check. Enjoy!
Can I do a shopping there using a written personal checks of my navyfedeal credit union and get a cash back..pls
Hello and great question. Yes, you can get cash back at Walmart using a handwritten Navy Federal Credit Union check but note that the cash back limit per check at Walmart is $20. So if you need more than $20, you must either make separate transactions and thus write multiple checks or you can pay with a debit or credit card to get far more cash back.
Can my 16 you son use my check if I send a note with him authorizing it?
Hi Judy,
Unfortunately, no. Whoever wrote the check must provide ID at checkout. The only loophole is if you wrote the check but his name is also on the account. Then his ID will work.
I work for a law office as their office assistant and they always send me with checks NOT IN MY NAME to pick up supplies from stores and to pick up orders.
Hi Megan,
Business checks are the exception. I will update the post to bring this to everyone else’s attention. Thank you for your comment.
Store: Wal☆mart
If I used a check to pay for something can I with the recipe return my stuff and get cash back
Hi Holly,
It depends. Returns must be issued using the payment method the original transaction used. So if you paid with cash, you can get cash back. But if you paid with a debit card, for instance, your refund will go back to your debit card. If you don’t want to use the same payment method or don’t have the debit card, credit card, whatever with you, then you can get the refund on a Walmart gift card. You cannot get a significant amount of cash back using a gift card. So you can only get cash back at Walmart on your return if you used cash for the first transaction. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Hello i cashied a payroll check at walmart over 10 years ago and the company closed and stopped payment on our checks. The check was returned to walmart i didnt know anything about it and i went to return something at walmart and they denied me without a receipt due to that check. I didnt rven kbow thr check returned walmart never notified me. So my question is how long so they hold that against me. The clerk i called and talked to didnt know and said walmart couldnt take a warrant on me for bad check but would hold it against me for an amount of time and didnt kbow how long. They alsi couldnt find the check when i went to customer service and telecheck said they only keep info for 5 years so what do i do or how do i get this off my license number
Hi Kenneth,
From what I can find in reports from customers who have been in a similar situation, it seems that TeleCheck can keep a returned check on record for seven years. It is possible that there are additional fees or interest charges that have accrued on the outstanding balance that could be preventing your TeleCheck history from being cleared. To find out more about how to get the returned check off of your TeleCheck record, you’ll need to contact TeleCheck customer support directly (this is the only way to clear your history). You can reach the Returned Check Collection line at 1-800-366-1048 (you can also see the other available customer contact phone numbers on the First Data TeleCheck website). Best of luck getting this resolved!
yes you can pay with a check return it and get cash back