Your Guide To Cashing a Check at Walgreens (2024)

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Does Walgreens cash checks? If you’ve been paid with a check instead of a direct deposit or bank transfer, you might be looking for a way to convert it into cash. While banks typically only offer this service to account holders, many chain stores offer cash-checking to customers. If you’re wondering if check cashing is possible at Walgreens, here’s what you need to know.

Is Check Cashing at Walgreens Possible?

Unfortunately, Walgreens does not currently offer payroll or government check cashing services.

The pharmacy grocery chain used to offer this service in the past, as recently as 2015. Back then, customers could also use checks to top up a prepaid MasterCard.

However, in response to recent questions from customers, Walgreens clarified that their stores will no longer accept any checks that are not payable to Walgreens for the exact amount of a customer’s purchase. This means that no third-party checks are accepted, so it’s not possible to receive cashback on a check.

While many Walgreens stores have ATMs, these are usually provided by the Allpoint Network, which only offers cash deposits, and does not cash checks. If you have a check that you need to cash, you will need to find another store, bank branch or ATM near you that does offer the service.

Where Can I Cash a Check Without a Bank Account?

What other places offer check cashing services? When looking for a place to cash a check, you should consider banks and credit unions, retail and grocery stores, check cashing services, or even check cashing apps.

Before cashing a check at a location near you, make sure to review the service provider’s terms and fees carefully.

Banks and Credit Unions

Banks typically provide check cashing services if you’re an account holder. If you don’t have an account, you may still be able to cash a check if it’s drawn on an account from that bank or if the bank offers this service to the public. Generally one of the easiest ways to cash a check may be to visit a branch of the bank that issued the check.

The check you want to cash should be no older than six months. Some banks may refuse to cash older checks. Be aware of possible fees for non-customers, which might be a flat fee or a percentage of the check amount. Banks may also set limits on the type or amount of the check they’re willing to cash.

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Some banks may offer to cash checks not written by their customers for a fee . To see if a bank charges this fee, you can contact their local branches to ask about their specific policies.

Credit unions operate on a similar model to banks but tend to have lower fees since they are member-owned. While they usually require membership to cash checks, they might provide this service for a check drawn on a member’s account

When cashing a check at a bank location, make sure to bring a valid U.S. ID so that the bank teller can verify that the check is made out to you. If you do not have a U.S. ID, you can ask the bank branch what verification they require, as you may still be able to cash your check at a bank branch that accepts foreign or alternative IDs.

Retail and Grocery Stores

Retail and grocery stores may provide convenient check-cashing services with various fees and limitations on the types of checks they accept. Here are some stores that state they offer check cashing:

1. Walmart:
   • Types of Checks Cashed: Payroll, government, tax, insurance settlement, 401(k), personal and cashier’s checks.
   • Limits: Up to $5,000 for most checks; $7,500 between January and April. $200 for personal checks.
   • Fees: $4 for checks up to $1,000; $8 for checks over $1,000; $6 for personal checks.
2. Kroger Brand Stores:
   • Types of Checks Cashed: Payroll, government, tax, insurance settlement, business, and child support checks.
   • Limits: Up to $5000.
   • Fees: Start at $3 with Kroger’s Shopper’s Card for checks up to $2,000. Start at $5.50 with Kroger’s Shopper’s Card for checks between $2,000.01 and $5,000.
3. Publix:
   • Types of Checks Cashed:Personal and payroll checks.
   • Limits: Vary by location.
   • Fees: Vary by location.
4. HEB:
   • Types of Checks Cashed:Varies by location.
   • Limits: Vary by location.
   • Fees: Start at $3.

Make sure to contact the specific store location to verify current policies, as these can vary by location. Remember to have a valid, government-issued photo ID ready when you go to cash your check.

Even if your local grocery store does not have an official check cashing policy on their website, they may offer check cashing services. Call the specific location you would like to visit and ask what their check cashing policy is.

Check Cashing Services

Dedicated check cashing services provide another avenue for converting checks into cash. These places typically offer extended hours and cash a variety of checks. However, they may also have higher fees than banks or stores. While a retail store or bank usually charges a flat dollar fee for cashing a check, a check cashing service may charge a percentage. For example, cashing a $600 check at Walmart might cost $4 while a check cashing service with a 3% fee would charge $18 for cashing the same check. If you cash a $600 check every week at Walmart instead of at a check cashing service with a 3% fee, you could save $700 every year.

Check cashing services also often don’t list their fees online, which means customers can find it more difficult to compare services before arriving in person. For these reasons, it’s generally better to avoid check cashing services if another avenue is available. If you need to use a check cashing service, here are some of the popular options:

1. ACE Cash Express:
   • Types of Checks Cashed: Payroll, personal, business, income tax refund, government, insurance settlement and money orders.
   • Limits: Subject to store policy and customer verification.
   • Fees: Vary by state
2. Money Mart :
   • Types of Checks Cashed: Payroll, personal, business, income tax refund, government, insurance settlement and money orders.
   • Limits: Subject to store policy and customer verification.
   • Fees: Vary by location.
3. PLS Check Cashing:
   • Types of Checks Cashed: Payroll, personal, business, income tax refund, government, insurance settlement and money orders.
   • Limits: Subject to store policy and customer verification.
   • Fees: 1% + $1 applies when cashing payroll checks, recurring government benefits, and PLS money orders up to $1,000. Fees may be higher for other types of checks.

Before using these services, make sure you confirm the current fees and check limits as these details are subject to change and can vary by location. Always bring a valid, government-issued photo ID for verification.

Next Steps

While you aren’t able to cash checks at Walgreens, there might be other places that offer check cashing near you. Check if you have a branch of the bank that issued the check nearby. If not, look for retail stores that cash checks, such as Kroger and Walmart. Try to avoid check cashing businesses like Money Marty or ACE Cash Checking, since they may charge higher fees. Always check the current policies, limits, and fees of your chosen store or check cashing service by contacting them directly or visiting their website.