Cashing a check while shopping at Walmart is a great way to get more done at once and save yourself time.
Knowing Walmart's check cashing policy before you visit the store will help ensure a seamless transaction and get you on your way as quickly as possible.
You can cash most checks at Walmart for a fee of about $4 to $8, though there are some exclusions and limits.[1]
Find out more about Walmart’s check cashing policy below.
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Walmart Check Cashing Policy
All Walmart locations cash checks during regular store hours at the customer service desk or Money Services center.[2][3]
Check cashing services are available any day the store is open; this includes Saturdays and Sundays.[2]
I contacted Walmart’s customer service department, reviewed its policy documentation, and contacted stores locations in Nevada, New York, South Dakota, and Texas to find more details of its check cashing policy.
Limits
Walmart typically limits checks it will cash to $5,000. During tax season (January to April), it increases the limit to $7,500.[1]
There is one exception — two-party personal checks, which have a maximum limit of $200.[1]
Note that individual stores may set lower limits. It’s a good idea to check with your local store before bringing in large checks.[3]
There’s no limit on how many checks you can cash at Walmart.[2]
Fees
For most pre-printed checks up to $1,000, the maximum fee is $4; for larger checks up to $5,000, the maximum fee is $8.[1]
Two-party personal checks have a maximum fee of $6.[1]
If you’re cashing checks larger than $5,000 during tax season, check with your local store for fees, as they’ll vary by location.[1]
Acceptable Check Types
Walmart can cash checks drawn on any bank, including Bank of America, Capital One, Chase Bank, Citibank, Fidelity Bank, PNC, Regions Bank, or Wells Fargo.[3]
Acceptable check types include:[1][4][3]
- Cashier’s checks
- Government checks
- Insurance settlement checks
- Payroll checks
- Pre-printed checks
- Tax refund checks
- 401(k) or retirement distribution checks
- MoneyGram money orders
- Western Union money orders
- Two-party personal checks (some locations)
There are a few additional check types Walmart will run through its verification system before deciding whether it will cash them.
These will generally need to be printed checks, not handwritten:[3]
- Loan checks
- Substitute checks
- Workers’ compensation checks
- Convenience checks/credit card checks
- Business checks
Walmart treats and verifies in-state and out-of-state checks in the same way, so it may also cash out-of-state checks, as long as the check meets the store’s other limits and requirements.[2]
Checks Walmart Won’t Cash
While Walmart can cash most check types, there are some that it won’t cash.
These include:[3][2]
- Third-party checks (See where to cash third-party checks.)
- Starter checks
- Savings bond checks
- Altered checks
- Checks more than 180 days old
- Expired checks
- Post-dated checks
- Money orders from issuers other than Western Union or MoneyGram (See where to cash a USPS money order.)
- Comdata Checks/Comcheks
- Checks written to yourself
Verification
Walmart will only allow you to cash checks made out to you, and the store will verify your identity before cashing your check, so you should bring a valid photo ID.[1]
Most Walmart locations process checks electronically through TeleCheck or Certegy.[3]
These systems base their acceptance decisions on the information in the verification system and how your check compares to all the checks that have passed through the system.[5][6]
This means that the verification system may deny your check if you haven’t cashed many checks in the past, or if there is a reason to suspect that the check is fraudulent or may bounce.[7]
Tip: Walmart uses a scanning machine to read checks, so do your best to keep your check free of wrinkles, tears, and smudges to avoid problems. If the machine cannot read the necessary information, it will deny your check.[3]
If you’re worried that your check may be denied, see the list of check cashing places that don’t use Telecheck or Certegy.
How to Cash a Check at Walmart
To cash a check at Walmart, you don’t need to make a purchase, register with the store, or have a bank account.[1]
Simply bring the check and a valid, government-issued ID to your local Walmart customer service desk or Money Center.[1]
A representative may also ask you to provide your Social Security number.[3]
After the cashier approves your ID, authorizes your check, and you pay the check cashing fee, you have two options for receiving your funds: take the cash immediately or load some or all of it onto a prepaid Walmart MoneyCard debit card.[1][3]
If you’re unfamiliar with the MoneyCard and want to know more before you cash your check, see the Walmart MoneyCard FAQ.
FAQ
What’s the minimum age to cash a check at Walmart?
You must be at least 16 years old to cash a check at Walmart.[3]
Can someone else cash my check for me at Walmart?
No. Walmart requires you to show ID to cash a check, and the name on that ID must match the name on the check.[3]
Can I cash a check with my maiden name on it at Walmart?
No; the name on the check must match the name on your ID exactly.[3]
What should I do if the verification system declines my check?
If TeleCheck denies your check, Walmart will give you TeleCheck’s contact information for further assistance.[8] If Certegy denies it, you can find out why using its Declined Check Lookup.[9] Either way, Walmart cannot override the decision and cash the check, so you’ll need to resolve the issue with the verification company.[3]
In Summary
Walmart will cash most checks of up to $5,000 (or $7,500 during tax season) for a fee of around $4 to $8. Check cashing services are available during regular store hours.[1][3]
You must provide a valid ID and a Walmart associate may ask for your Social Security number.[1][3]
Additionally, all checks must pass Walmart’s check verification system before a representative can cash them.[1]
Don’t hesitate to ask questions, answer other comments, or share your experience with Walmart’s check cashing policy below. Sharing your own experiences may be helpful to others, as well!
