William Lipovsky
Handwritten checks can be somewhat difficult to cash because they carry a higher risk than electronically written checks; some check cashing places won’t cash handwritten checks.
However, there are options available, whether it’s a personal, business, payroll, or some other form of check.
You can expect to pay a fee of up to $10 or a percentage of the check amount.
Below, we list the banks, credit unions, check cashing stores, and retail stores that cash handwritten checks, as well as those that don’t.
Comparison Table
Use the following table for a quick explanation of the places that cash handwritten checks, including information about accepted check types and fees.
Select any business name or scroll to the list below for more details.
| Location | Handwritten Checks Cashed | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of America | Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by the bank | Free for checks under $50; $8 per check otherwise (non-customers) |
| Truist Bank | Any check issued by the bank; at bank's discretion | None |
| BMO Harris | Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by the bank | Free for checks under $50; $10 otherwise (non-customers) |
| Chase Bank | All types issued by the bank | Free for checks under $50; $10 otherwise (non-customers) |
| Chartway Federal Credit Union | Personal and business checks issued by the credit union | $3 or 2% of the total check amount (non-customers) |
| Citibank | Varies | None |
| Citizens Bank | Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by the bank | $7 (non-customers) |
| Fifth Third Bank | All types issued by the bank | Varies |
| First National Bank | Personal and payroll checks issued by the bank | $10 (non-customers) |
| HSBC | Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by the bank; non-HSBC checks cashed at the bank's discretion | Free for HSBC personal checks (non-customers) |
| KeyBank | All types | Free for checks under $15; varies for others (non-customers) |
| M&T Bank | Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by the bank | 2% of the check amount; maximum $20 (non-customers) |
| Mountain America Credit Union | Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by the credit union | Free |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by the credit union | Free |
| PenFed Credit Union | Varies; must be issued by the credit union | Free |
| PNC Bank | Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by the bank | Free for checks up to $25, then 2% of the check amount with a minimum fee of $2 |
| Regions Bank | All types | 1% to 4% of the total check amount (non-customers) |
| TD Bank | All types issued by the bank | $10 per check (non-customers) |
| U.S. Bank | Most checks issued by U.S. Bank | Free for checks under $50; $7 otherwise (non-customers) |
| Wells Fargo | Checks up to $2,500 issued by the bank | $7.50 per check (non-customers) |
| ACE Cash Express | All types | Varies |
| Check Into Cash | Payroll, government, and more | Varies; usually 3% to 5% |
| Check 'N Go | Personal, payroll, and more | Varies; usually 2% to 6% |
| Money Mart | All types | Varies |
| Mr. Payroll | Personal, government, payroll, and more | Varies; usually 1% to 2% |
| PLS Check Cashing | All types | $1 plus 1% of the total check amount |
| Speedy Cash | All types | Starting at $2 per check |
| United Check Cashing | Payroll, government, and more | Varies; usually around 2% |
| Giant Eagle | Personal, government, and payroll checks | Varies |
| H-E-B | Personal, business, government, and payroll checks | Varies; starting at $3 |
| Kmart | Two-party, and government, and payroll checks | $1 or less |
| Market Basket | Payroll | Varies |
| Publix | Personal and payroll checks | Varies; usually $3 to $6 per check |
The List
Banks and Credit Unions
In general, banks and credit unions are more willing to cash checks — handwritten or otherwise — for account holders than non-customers.
If you have an account at a bank or credit union, you should be able to cash a handwritten check there or deposit it into your account. You won’t be charged a check cashing fee at your own bank or credit union.
However, if you don’t have a bank account and need to cash a handwritten check, there are still some options available to you for a fee.
Your best chance is to bring the handwritten check to the issuing bank, which will usually be willing to cash it.
In the list of banks and credit unions that cash these types of checks below, we’ve included details on check cashing fees and other requirements for non-customers.
We’ve ordered the list starting with the best overall options.
1. Fifth Third Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: All types; must be drawn off Fifth Third Bank for non-customers[1]
- Fee for non-customers: Fees and restrictions may vary.[2]
- Requirements: Must show a photo ID; non-customers may be required to provide a secondary form of ID.[1]
- Find a branch
2. PNC Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: PNC-issued personal, business, and payroll checks for customers[3]
- Fee for non-customers: Free for checks up to $25, then 2% of the check amount ($2 minimum)[4]
- Requirements: Customers must show a photo ID; non-customers must show two forms of ID.[3]
- Find a branch
3. Citibank
- Handwritten checks cashed: Varies by location; not all branches will offer this service.[5]
- Fee for non-customers: None[5]
- Requirements: Must show at least one form of ID[5]
- Find a branch
4. HSBC
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, business, and payroll checks drawn on HSBC; other handwritten checks may be cashed at the bank’s discretion.[6]
- Fee for non-customers: None for HSBC checks[6]
- Requirements: Must show a valid ID with a photo[6]
- Find a branch
5. KeyBank
- Handwritten checks cashed: Any type;[7] only checks drawn on KeyBank for non-customers[8]
- Fee for non-customers: None for checks less than $15; fees vary by state for checks larger than $15.[8]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID, as well as a secondary ID[8]
- Find a branch
6. Bank of the West
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, business, and payroll checks if issued from a Bank of the West account[9]
- Fee for non-customers: Free for checks under $50; $9.50 for all other checks[10]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[9]
- Find a branch
7. U.S. Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: Most U.S. Bank-issued checks that are legible, filled out properly, and don’t contain any written corrections[11]
- Fee for non-customers: Free for checks under $50; $7 for all other checks (as previously reported)[12]
- Requirements: Government-issued photo ID; some branches may ask additional questions to understand the source of funds.[13]
- Find a branch
8. Citizens Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, business, and payroll checks drawn on Citizens Bank[14]
- Fee for non-customers: $7 per check[15]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[14]
- Find a branch
9. TD Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: Checks drawn on a TD Bank account[16]
- Fee for non-customers: $10 fee may be assessed[16]
- Requirements: Must present two forms of idea; one should be a government-issued photo ID.[16]
- Find a branch
10. Wells Fargo
- Handwritten checks cashed: Checks drawn on Wells Fargo up to $2,500[17]
- Fee for non-customers: $7.50 per check (as previously reported)[17]
- Requirements: Show a valid, government-issued photo ID[18]
- Find a branch
11. Chase Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: All types as long as the check is drawn on a Chase account[19]
- Fee for non-customers: $10 for checks over $50[19]
- Requirements: Must show a valid photo ID[20]
- Find a branch
Find out more in our research on check cashing at Chase Bank.
12. Bank of America
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, business, and payroll checks drawn on Bank of America; checks are cashed at each branch’s discretion[21]
- Fee for non-customers: $8 for checks over $50[22]
- Requirements: Two forms of ID, including one government-issued photo ID[23]
- Find a branch
13. PenFed Credit Union
- Handwritten checks cashed: Varies by location and amount; must be drawn on PenFed Credit Union[24]
- Fee for non-customers: Free[24]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[24]
- Find a branch
14. Navy Federal Credit Union
- Handwritten checks cashed: NFCU-issued personal, business, and payroll checks[25]
- Fee for non-customers: Free[25]
- Requirements: Must show a valid photo ID[25]
- Find a branch
15. Mountain America Credit Union
- Handwritten checks cashed: MACU personal, business, and payroll checks[26]
- Fee for non-customers: Free[26]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[26]
- Find a branch
16. Truist
- Handwritten checks cashed: Any check drawn off of a Truist account; checks are cashed at each bank’s discretion.[27]
- Fee for non-customers: None[27]
- Requirements: Must show a government-issued, valid photo ID; check must be validated before cash is given[27]
- Find a branch
17. Regions Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: Any type[28]
- Fee for non-customers: 1% for Regions checks greater than $25 ($5 minimum; $20 maximum); 1.5% for non-Regions printed payroll and government checks ($5 minimum); 4% for other types of non-Regions checks ($5 minimum)[28]
- Requirements: Non-customers must enroll in its check cashing service the first time they cash a non-Regions check; enrollment requires a valid ID and Social Security number.[29]
- Find a branch
18. Chartway Federal Credit Union
- Handwritten checks cashed: Chartway-drawn checks written from a personal or business account and checks payable to a business[30]
- Fee for non-customers: The greater of $3 or 2% of the total check amount[31]
- Requirements: Must present a valid government-issued ID[31]
- Find a branch
19. M&T Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, business, and payroll checks drawn on M&T Bank[32]
- Fee for non-customers: 2% of the total check amount; maximum $20 fee[32]
- Requirements: Must show a government-issued photo ID[32]
- Find a branch
20. BMO Harris
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, business, and payroll checks issued by BMO Harris Bank[33]
- Fee for non-customers: Free for checks up to and including $50; $10 for checks more than $50[34]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[33]
- Find a branch
21. First National Bank
- Handwritten checks cashed: First National-issued personal and payroll checks[35]
- Fee for non-customers: $10[36]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[35]
- Find a branch
Check Cashing Stores
Check cashing stores will typically cash any type of check in any amount, including handwritten checks.
However, their fees tend to be higher than other check cashing options. If you decide to use a check cashing store, you may want to call ahead and ask about the exact fees you’ll pay at your nearest store since fees can vary greatly by location.
As above, we’ve ordered the following list starting with the best overall options.
1. ACE Cash Express
- Handwritten checks cashed: Any type[37]
- Fee: Varies according to check type, amount, and store location[37]
- Requirements: Must show a photo ID[37]
- Find a store
2. PLS Check Cashing
- Handwritten checks cashed: Any type[38]
- Fee: Starting at $1 plus 1% of the total check amount[38]
- Requirements: Must show a valid, government-issued photo ID[38]
- Find a store
3. Check Into Cash
- Handwritten checks cashed: Handwritten payroll checks, government checks, two-party checks, and more[39]
- Fee: Varies according to check type, amount, and store location; usually between 3% and 5% of the check amount[40]
- Requirements: Government-issued photo ID and enrollment in Check Into Cash’s check cashing program[39]
- Find a store
4. Mr. Payroll
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, government, payroll, and more[41]
- Fee: Varies according to check type, amount, and store location; typically between 1% and 2%[41]
- Requirements: Must show a valid state-issued photo ID[41]
- Find a store
5. Speedy Cash
- Handwritten checks cashed: Any type[42]
- Fee: Starting at $2 per check[42]
- Requirements: Must show a valid photo ID[42]
- Find a store
6. Check ‘N Go
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, two-party, payroll, and more[43]
- Fee: Vary by state; usually between 2% and 6%[43]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[43]
- Find a store
7. Money Mart
- Handwritten checks cashed: Any type[44]
- Fee: Vary by location[44]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[45]
- Find a store
8. United Check Cashing
- Handwritten checks cashed: Payroll, government, and more[46]
- Fee: Varies according to check type and store location; usually around 2% of the check amount[47]
- Requirements: Must show a government-issued photo ID[47]
- Find a store
Grocery and Retail Stores
While there aren’t as many grocery stores that will cash handwritten checks as there are banks and check cashing stores, you can find a few grocery stores that do.
Keep in mind that grocery stores will have upper limits for check cashing, so you may need to use a bank or check cashing store for larger checks.
As above, we’ve ordered the list starting with the best overall options.
1. Kmart
- Handwritten checks cashed: Government, two-party, and payroll[48]
- Fee: $1 or less[48]
- Limit: Two-party personal checks up to $500; payroll, government, and tax checks up to $2,000[48]
- Requirements: Must show your photo ID and have a free Shop Your Way membership[48]
- Find a store
2. Market Basket
- Handwritten checks cashed: Payroll[49]
- Fee: 1.5% of the total check amount, though fees can vary by location[50]
- Limit: Varies by location[50]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued ID[50]
- Find a store
3. H-E-B
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, business, government, and payroll[51]
- Fee: Varies by check amount; starting at $3[51]
- Limit: Varies by location[52]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID[53]
- Find a store
4. Publix
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal and payroll[54]
- Fee: Varies by check amount;[55] usually $2 to $7[56]
- Limit: Varies by location; at the manager’s discretion[55]
- Requirements: Valid, government-issued photo ID;[54] find out more in our research on Publix check cashing.
- Find a store
5. Giant Eagle
- Handwritten checks cashed: Personal, government, and payroll[57]
- Fee: Varies by location (as previously reported)[57]
- Limit: $30 for personal checks; limits vary by manager approval for payroll checks[57]
- Requirements: Must have a Giant Eagle Advantage Card with check cashing privileges and a government-issued photo ID; you must also endorse your check at the store.[57]
- Find a store
Places That Don’t Cash Handwritten Checks
In the course of our research and communications with various companies, we found that the following businesses do not cash handwritten checks:
- Albertsons (See more on Albertsons’ money services.)
- ALDI
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Copps
- Costco
- CVS
- Dollar General
- Food 4 Less
- Food Lion (as previously reported)
- JayC Foods
- Jewel-Osco
- Kroger (as previously reported)
- Sam’s Club
- Trader Joe’s
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
- Winn-Dixie (as previously reported)
Hi I need to case a rent check but it’s Sunday and bank is closed will Publix cash a personal check that the guy renting my basement gave me
? ?
Hi Brandon,
Publix does cash personal checks, but there’s a $75 limit per day. Learn more about Publix checking cashing policies here.
Well my kmart says they dont cash checks but i see it all over the internet
Hi Heidilynn,
Yup, and it’s very clearly stated on Kmart’s website that the cash checks, and for very low fees compared to similar stores. But, do be aware that not all locations do check cashing. Kmart has published a list of stores that do check cashing, so use that to see if your Kmart cashes checks.
Can Harris teeter cash personal checks in Mooresville NC
Hi Wesley,
We contacted the Teeter Harris at the Shops at Morrison Plantation and were told they do not offer any check cashing services at that location.
Does sapells grocery store cash large personal checks?
Hi Rick,
Unfortunately, due to the volume of comments we receive, we cannot respond to individual questions. Sapells is limited to one store in Lakewood, OH. You can contact them at (216) 529-1770 to learn more about their check cashing policies.
I want to no if there are any places in columbus ohio that will cash a hand written bussiness check and hold it for 3 days for a fee
Hi Joe,
Unfortunately, due to the large volume of questions we receive, we are not able to respond to individual questions. Your best bet is to try a local check cashing business. Good luck!
Im on vacation in las vegas and have run our of pocket cash where could I cash a hand written check to Myself?
Hi Jay,
If there isn’t a branch of your issuing bank in Vegas, then it would be best to find one of the stores listed above (Kmart, Publix, etc.) that is convenient to your location. These stores will likely have lower fees than a check cashing store. If you don’t have one of these options available, a check cashing store will be the best bet. And there’s no short supply of those in Las Vegas! Hope this helps!
If I’m not a member at Kmart will I be able to cash my check from my grandmother that day
Mike,
Kmart does not require any type of membership to cash checks; as long as your check is under the $500 limit for two-party checks, you should be able to cash it. I recommend calling ahead to the Kmart where you hope to cash it if you have additional questions. I hope this helps!
Hi, my Kmart required me to be a member of their savings program in order to cash my check.
Hi Emily,
You’re right! You must be a Shop Your Way member to cash a check at Kmart. We have updated the article to reflect this information. Thank you so much for your insight!
The only issue with Kmart that i found was that if the check is 30 or more days old they will not cash it. Which is absurd, since I’m 1 of their members.
Hi CG,
You’re right that you have to be a member in order to cash a check with Kmart. I’m sorry you were unable to cash your check that was more than 30 days old. Individual stores can determine their own time limits on what checks to accept — your best bet is to try cashing it at one of the other locations listed in this article.
Where can I get a personal check cashed today, Sunday the 18th, 2016? I want to get this check cashed for Xmas and Birthday. Any ideas?
Hi Paul,
I apologize that I didn’t get to your comment on the 18th! Since it’s now Monday, it will likely be easier to find somewhere to cash a personal check than it would have been on a Sunday. You can always go to a branch of the issuing bank to cash the check, or you can go to Kmart, Publix, or Giant Eagle, if you have one of those stores convenient to your location. These stores will likely have lower fees than a check cashing store. If you don’t have one of these options available, a check cashing store will be the best bet. I hope this helps!
I receive a trust fund check every month it’s a handwritten out of state two party check where can I cash it
Hi Sheila,
I cross-referenced the stores on this post and this post and came up with this list: Kmart, Bank of America (and most other banks) ACE Check Cashing and Check Into Cash. Though at Kmart you’re limited to $500.