How to Cash a Check at Walmart

Whether you lack a bank account or just want convenient cash without a trip to the bank, Walmart offers check-cashing services as a more affordable alternative to typical check-cashing stores. While it doesn't allow you to cash most personal checks, Walmart accepts a wide range of preprinted checks including paychecks, tax checks, government checks and insurance settlement checks. You'll need to make sure your check type and amount qualify, as well as pay the applicable check-cashing fees.

To cash an accepted check at your local Walmart, you'll go through the following steps:

• ‌Head to Walmart‌: Depending on the store, you'll go either to the customer service desk or the dedicated Walmart MoneyCenter. Check Walmart.com or call your local store to make sure you arrive during the service's business hours.
• ‌Endorse your check‌: Right before you cash the check, sign the endorsement area on the back of the check. If cashing a two-party check, you'll need to have the other person come to Walmart with you and endorse the check, explains the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• ‌Present the check for cashing‌: Tell the Walmart employee that you want to cash the check. You'll present both a valid ID with your photo and the endorsed check that you're cashing. You won't need to go through any registration process.
• ‌Get your money‌: As long as all requirements are met, you'll get the check's funds – minus the check-cashing fee – either in cash or as a deposit to certain prepaid cards.

Walmart will allow you to cash most types of preprinted checks including the following:

• two-party personal checks (in selected states only)
• cashier's checks
• payroll checks
• retirement distribution checks
• MoneyGram money orders
• IRS and state tax refund checks
• other government checks (such as Social Security and unemployment checks)
• insurance checks
• other types of pre-printed checks

Except for two-party personal checks that are written for a maximum of ‌$200‌ and preprinted, Walmart's policy is not to take personal checks or other handwritten checks. Walmart also doesn't list certified checks among accepted checks, and it's likely because these are still personal checks but with just some verification of the funds by your bank. You also can't cash money orders that aren't from MoneyGram.

If you have doubts, you can call the Walmart store and ask, "Will Walmart cash this kind of check?" If the store won't take your check, you can consider going to a financial institution or looking into other check-cashing services that might help.

If your check is for ‌$1,000‌ or less, then you'll pay a Walmart check-cashing fee of ‌$4‌. The maximum fee rises to $8 if the check amount is from ‌$1,001 to $5,000‌, and it can be higher during tax season when larger checks are accepted. Two-party personal checks cost ‌$6‌ to cash with the ‌$200‌ check amount limit applying.

The most straightforward payment option is to get cash for your check. However, you can also get the money put on either a Walmart MoneyCard or Green Dot debit card. Featuring either the Visa or Mastercard logo, these cards offer convenience since you can make purchases and even set up direct deposit with them.

The Walmart MoneyCard will cost ‌$3‌ to set up if you don't have one already. You won't have to pay a reload fee, however, if you're depositing a check. Green Dot says that an additional ‌$3.74‌ service fee applies to check deposits to your existing Green Dot debit card, and you can experience card limits that don't allow you to deposit large check amounts.

Here are answers to some FAQs about Walmart's check-cashing services.

You'll just need to have the properly endorsed check and your photo ID to cash a check at Walmart. If the check is for two parties, bring the other person with you.

Except for two-party personal checks that have a check-cashing limit of ‌$200‌, you can usually cash checks up to ‌$5,000‌ any time. However, the store raises this limit to ‌$7,500‌ for tax season from January through April.

You'll need a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. Walmart will not cash any check without a valid government-issued ID.